4 things no one will tell you about picking freelance projects

Do your eyes light up when you get projects?

Do you smile from cheek to cheek knowing you’ve got a project, and you’re going to be making (good) money?

Do you enjoy the process of finding a client, talking to them, convincing them, and closing?

Getting projects as a freelancer really does release all sorts of happy hormones — endorphin, serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin. These happy hormones can sometimes make you, unfortunately, make bad decisions.

The reality is, not every project is ‘right’ for you. And, no one will tell you this.

I myself have heard many freelancers preaching ‘Grab any and all opportunities you get’ and that’s the wrong advice. It’s the kind of advice that might get you somewhere in the short run but will land you nowhere in the long run.

There’s a stark difference between ‘a project’ and ‘the right project’.

Read till the end for a bonus that’ll help you pick right projects!

As a new freelancer, you want to grab on to every project you get, and that’s understandable. You try to befriend every prospect, and in that, you become vulnerable to picking projects that might not actually be good for you.

Yes, clients are humans, but when it comes to putting down money and getting work done — that’s when you see their personality change. Mister nice guy becomes Mister-where’s-my-work-send-it-to-me-now.

For a freelancer, project = money. It’s money, after all, isn’t it? — Any money is good money… right?

Wrong.

I made this mistake too when I started and luckily realised it sooner than never. That’s when I came up with a ranking system for projects.

Here are the 4 things I ask myself before each project:

1. Will this project add value to my portfolio?
2. Will I learn something new by taking up this project?
3. Can this project turn into something more long term?
4. Have any red flags come up during our conversation?

Will this project add value to my portfolio?

Your portfolio is the singular thing that’ll get you your first and hundredth client.

Your portfolio, therefore, has to be very carefully curated, and showcased, so that you’re able to convince a future client to work with you. Remember: It’s the best of your work, not everything.

The biggest mistake I made in the beginning, and I predict most freelancers will do the same — I picked projects based on the money clients were paying me, and not on the ‘worthiness’ of being in my portfolio. This meant that several projects I took up didn’t make it to my portfolio. The simple reason was that either they didn’t have the skill-passion match I aspired to have.

Skill meant I could do it, whilst I wasn’t passionate about the project.

Does the money really matter if I was just doing it? — in reality, I learned later, the answer is nope.

So, how do you decide if a project will add value to your portfolio? — ask yourself these simple questions:

1. Do I see myself getting more projects in this industry/niche?
2. Will this project give me creative freedom to showcase my skillset?
3. Does the brand name I’m working with add credibility to my portfolio?
4. Will this project be under NDA?

Will I learn something new by taking up this project?

As a freelancer, upskilling and getting better at your craft is so underrated because even though we have a lot of ‘freedom’ — we utilize it in work or life.

As a corporate employee, upskilling and constant learning is omnipresent, whether we acknowledge it or not. It’s part of the job and we enjoy it while we’re in the midst of it.

Within freelancing, you need to keep asking yourself

Am I better today than I was a month ago? — If the answer is no, then you’re most definitely picking projects in your comfort zone.

The comfort zone is not where you want to be as a freelancer. You need to challenge yourself and you must be ready to risk-it-all.

Freelancing is like driving down a highway at 100km/h, and enjoying the wind blowing in your hair.

Sounds rather scary for a new freelancer, but take this advice with a pinch of salt. Come back to me in 3 months if you implement this, and you yourself will see the difference in your work quality and the kind of projects you pick.

Every project you take up, must teach you something new or push you to become better at what you do.

If you’re a social media graphic designer, learn illustration

If you’re a blog writer, find a project that’ll give you the chance to learn how to write evergreen content

If you’re a landing page designer, take up a project that is multiple webpages

The option to learn is omnipresent, it’s now up to you to take the chance and learn, or not.

Can this project turn into something more long term?

The basic rule every freelancer needs to remember is that your client relationship does not only last from start to end of the project.

Relationship -> Project -> Money -> Repeat

Think of the project on hand as a test. A test to see if you and the client get along well. If everything does go smooth, what’s stopping you or them from working together on something else?

It’s all a mindset game. And, this is a mistake I too made in the beginning.

Now, I have a Trello board with all my clients, and a month assigned to them to follow up to ‘check in’ without asking for work.

Every client has 100+ requirements. For example, you get hired for graphic design, they may also require social media and a pitch deck and emailers.

The only way to know is to ask.

Asking is never a bad thing, it’s a very good thing in freelancing.

When you ask, you might uncover a set of activities/requirements that the client needs/has which you can very much do — it’s just that they didn’t know you can.

Initially, I too was scared to ask, but when I started asking, I started building relationships that have lasted me longer than just the one project. With some, it’s been months, with some it’s been 1 year+.

As a freelancer, it’s much easier to find one client and work long-term than go sourcing clients ever so often. I personally love doing work more than client sourcing and acquisition — therefore, I try and stick on as long as possible to clients by being there for them.

Also, a common misconception is that ‘long-term’ means consequent. While that also happens, I’ve also worked on projects, and then have been contacted a few months later, and then a few more months later. Each project was worth the money, and portfolio, and the best part

I became their chosen vendor because of the relationship I built with them.

It was a sweet deal, one where the client knows the quality of work I offer, and for me, I get to work with one client on multiple projects.

Have any red flags come up during our conversation?

Oh, the disastrous situation where you get super excited to start working, that you don’t pick up on red flags!

What are red flags? — these are nothing but signals to you that you shouldn’t be working with this client. No, really.

Some red flags that I’ve seen:

1. Won’t pick calls up at designated meeting times
2. Will call you repeatedly before the project has even begun to ‘check in’
3. Won’t sign and send the contract back in time
4. Will try and squeeze you on deadlines because ‘it’s urgent’
5. Will endlessly bargain-hunt
6. Will make false promises saying ‘we will pay you in 60 days’
7. Will keep trying to push the scope at the same price bracket

In short, if you see one or many of these. Just don’t take the project. You’ll be happier.

Red flags are not easy to spot, so it does take some time and experience, but once you know what they look like for your industry/skillset — you’ll learn to pick them up quicker than the speed of light.

Don’t force-convince yourself everything will be ok — it won’t. A miserable match will always remain a miserable match. And guess what, in that match, who stays more miserable — YOU.

Not a situation you want, I’m guessing.

So, bottom line, stay away if something is not sounding right, or sitting well with you.

Now, for the bonus

How to say no to clients you don’t want to work with

Have you heard the word people pleaser? — These are people who put themselves on the back seat so that others are happ(ier than them).

In a freelance business, you need to think of yourself first.

Your mental-physical-emotional health is more important than a client task!

Think of it as being egoistical, sure, but it is what it is. BOO!

Here’s how to say no to clients who don’t want to work with:

1. Say no in your head 10 times (it’s a ‘motivational activity’)
2. Come up with 1 or 2 (genuine) reasons why you don’t want to work with this client
3. Start writing the Whatsapp or email with “Thank you for thinking of me for X, but (reason 1)….
4. Be courteous, not curt
5. Offer an alternative resource, “I do know X, who’s great at Y; I’d be happy to connect you both up. Here’s X’s portfolio in case you want to give it a look!
6. End without shutting the door, for example, “I’d love to work with you in the near future when (positive statement or reaffirmation of your services)

Magic! With this email, you’re saying no politely to the client and you are helping them out!

Final thoughts

As a freelancer, saying no is not about feeling powerful, it’s about doing the right thing for you.
You are your first priority, and no one is going to prioritize you if you don’t. Simple.

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