{"id":69817,"date":"2015-07-15T07:26:00","date_gmt":"2015-07-14T21:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elements.blog-cms.envato.net\/?p=3031"},"modified":"2025-11-11T17:23:15","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T06:23:15","slug":"10-tips-to-boost-your-confidence-as-a-freelancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/10-tips-to-boost-your-confidence-as-a-freelancer","title":{"rendered":"10 Tips to Boost your Confidence as a Freelancer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you got big plans for your freelance career<\/a> \u2014 but nothing\u2019s happening?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Somehow, you\u2019re not moving forward and marketing your business<\/a>. You\u2019re not getting out and finding the clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or maybe you\u2019ve got a freelance assignment, but you\u2019re frozen at your desk, worried you can\u2019t deliver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If any of these sound like you, it\u2019s time for a self-confidence boost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, there are plenty of concrete things you can do that should help you leave the fear behind and move your freelance career forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 10 confidence building tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Experience Your Fear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n \"Business\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n <\n <\/a>\n \n >\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\n Business woman using computer <\/h3>\n\n
\n By\n \n Rido81 <\/a>\n in\n \n Photos <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n View more\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Do you live in terror of pressing \u201csend\u201d on that pitch letter because you dread negative feedback? Toughen yourself up by having a friend read and ridicule your marketing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toughen yourself up by having a friend read and ridicule your marketing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be a transformative experience. You\u2019ll realize two things: one, you\u2019re unlikely to get this kind of rude feedback in real life. And two, if you did, you would survive it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fear is our fight-or-flight response kicking in when we feel our lives are threatened. After you do this exercise, you\u2019ll realize you aren\u2019t really in danger. Nobody ever died from a client\u2019s (or prospective client\u2019s) rude remark. That should help you move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Unlimited Creative Assets<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Access to AI Tools<\/strong><\/a>.\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n View all<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n Business woman using computer <\/h3>\n \n Rido81 <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \"Business\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

2. Think Small<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n \"Small\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n <\n <\/a>\n \n >\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\n Small business team <\/h3>\n\n
\n By\n \n bernardbodo <\/a>\n in\n \n Photos <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n View more\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

If pitching a top national magazine<\/a> or major corporation your freelance services has you quaking under the bed, scale back your ambitions for the moment. Instead, target small businesses or publications where you\u2019d be more likely to get a \u201cyes\u201d \u2014 shops you frequent where you know the owner, blogs you read and know well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Build your confidence with a few wins and add to your portfolio<\/a>. Then you\u2019re ready to go after the big game again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Unlimited Creative Assets<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Access to AI Tools<\/strong><\/a>.\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n View all<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n Small business team <\/h3>\n \n bernardbodo <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \"Small\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

3. Put on Blinders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n \"School\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n <\n <\/a>\n \n >\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\n School age girl is home schooling <\/h3>\n\n
\n By\n \n Manuta <\/a>\n in\n \n Photos <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n View more\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Does the idea of sending 100 marketing emails<\/a> paralyze you? Then you need to break it down into smaller steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe today, you\u2019re just going to research and qualify 20 leads. Just focus on that. Tomorrow, you send five emails. That\u2019s it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take away the pressure of the big, scary goal and just focus on the parts you need to do today, or this week. Choose one tiny thing you could do, even, that will move things forward, such as improving your personal website. Tomorrow, one more thing. You may have heard the journey of a thousand steps can be accomplished this way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Unlimited Creative Assets<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Access to AI Tools<\/strong><\/a>.\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n View all<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n School age girl is home schooling <\/h3>\n \n Manuta <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \"School\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

4. Face Facts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n \"Angry\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n <\n <\/a>\n \n >\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\n Angry businessman tearing up a document <\/h3>\n\n
\n By\n \n Prostock-studio <\/a>\n in\n \n Photos <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n View more\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Are you scared of getting rejected when you pitch your freelance services? Well, you can relax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is 100 per cent guaranteed that you will experience rejection in the course of pursuing freelancing. So rather than fearing it, accept and embrace it as an ordinary part of freelance life. Realize that every other freelancer is dealing with the same thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Unlimited Creative Assets<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Access to AI Tools<\/strong><\/a>.\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n View all<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n Angry businessman tearing up a document <\/h3>\n \n Prostock-studio <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \"Angry\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

5. Learn More<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n \"A\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n <\n <\/a>\n \n >\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\n A man takes coffee from a stack of books. Education, learning, reading, hobbies <\/h3>\n\n
\n By\n \n serbogachuk <\/a>\n in\n \n Photos <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n View more\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, that lack of confidence is coming from the nagging feeling that you don\u2019t know enough. You need to learn a new design platform<\/a>, or a niche type of copywriting<\/a> that pays better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If so, don\u2019t delay \u2014 find the most affordable way to get the knowledge you need. Bone up your skills so you can move forward.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Unlimited Creative Assets<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Access to AI Tools<\/strong><\/a>.\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n View all<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n A man takes coffee from a stack of books. Education, learning, reading, hobbies <\/h3>\n \n serbogachuk <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \"A\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

6. Network In Person<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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\n \"Two\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n <\n <\/a>\n \n >\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\n Two friends looking at mobile phone <\/h3>\n\n
\n By\n \n mimagephotography <\/a>\n in\n \n Photos <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n View more\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Why? Networking in person<\/a> gives you a chance to go up to new people and introduce yourself and say, \u201cI\u2019m a freelance writer\u201d \u2014 or photographer, or designer, or whatever \u2014 over and over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That does something magical for your head. Soon, you believe it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Unlimited Creative Assets<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Access to AI Tools<\/strong><\/a>.\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n View all<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n Two friends looking at mobile phone <\/h3>\n \n mimagephotography <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \"Two\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

7. Get Support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n \"Seller\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n <\n <\/a>\n \n >\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\n Seller helps woman with choice of eyeshadows <\/h3>\n\n
\n By\n \n NomadSoul1 <\/a>\n in\n \n Photos <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n View more\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

It can be lonely, being a solopreneur. Your friends with regular jobs don\u2019t understand what you\u2019re dealing with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can be haunted by the feeling that you\u2019re making mistakes \u2014 bidding too low or missing out on good marketing methods<\/a>. So find where freelancers of your type gather, whether online or in your local bar, and connect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there\u2019s not a lot available, start your own networking group, online or off (or both). There\u2019s something particularly empowering and productive about bringing a community together, and it will improve everyone\u2019s fortunes when it comes to peer support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Unlimited Creative Assets<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Access to AI Tools<\/strong><\/a>.\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n View all<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n Seller helps woman with choice of eyeshadows <\/h3>\n \n NomadSoul1 <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \"Seller\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

8. Avoid Toxic People<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n \"Angry\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n <\n <\/a>\n \n >\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\n Angry Senior Woman Paying Bills And Filing Federal Tax Return <\/h3>\n\n
\n By\n \n diego_cervo <\/a>\n in\n \n Photos <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n View more\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

If your family and friends dis your freelance lifestyle, do not discuss your business with them. Period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If they ask, say something vague about how it\u2019s going great and you love freelancing. Refuse to expand further on the topic and move on to discussing the weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not about shutting them out, it\u2019s about ensuring you maintain a positive outlook and get into work discussions with those people who educate, energise and inspire you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Unlimited Creative Assets<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Access to AI Tools<\/strong><\/a>.\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n View all<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n <\/a>\n\n
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\n Angry Senior Woman Paying Bills And Filing Federal Tax Return <\/h3>\n \n diego_cervo <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \"Angry\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

9. Don\u2019t Say You\u2019re \u2018Aspiring\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n \"Confident\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n <\n <\/a>\n \n >\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\n Confident young Asian businesswoman, waist up, close up <\/h3>\n\n
\n By\n \n monkeybusiness <\/a>\n in\n \n Photos <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n View more\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

This is a nasty way of calling yourself a wannabe. You\u2019re not there yet, you just wish you were.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re writing, bulletin: You\u2019re a writer! Even if what you\u2019re writing is just a private journal or your own blog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your graphic designs only appear on your own website, that isn\u2019t important. You\u2019re doing it. So take the word \u201caspiring\u201d out of your vocabulary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A former Google executive recently cautioned women <\/a>(and anyone looking to move forward in the working world) against using the word \u2018just\u2019 for similar reasons. Language matters. Articulate who you are and what you do with clarity and self-belief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Unlimited Creative Assets<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Access to AI Tools<\/strong><\/a>.\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n View all<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n Confident young Asian businesswoman, waist up, close up <\/h3>\n \n monkeybusiness <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \"Confident\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

10. Do Affirmations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n \"Schoolgirls\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n <\n <\/a>\n \n >\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\n Schoolgirls looking in a magnifying mirror at science centre <\/h3>\n\n
\n By\n \n monkeybusiness <\/a>\n in\n \n Photos <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n View more\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

When\u2019s the last time you looked in the mirror and said, \u201cDamn, I\u2019m good!\u201d If it\u2019s been a while, make that a regular habit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After all, you are totally unique in this world, and no other freelancer can bring your approach and style to what you do. Face it \u2014 you\u2019re special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Unlimited Creative Assets<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Access to AI Tools<\/strong><\/a>.\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n View all<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n <\/a>\n\n
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\n Schoolgirls looking in a magnifying mirror at science centre <\/h3>\n \n monkeybusiness <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \"Schoolgirls\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Now, get out there and show them what you\u2019ve got. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

These 10 practical tips will help you boost your confidence as a freelance professional.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":77578,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[157],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-69817","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-design"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69817","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=69817"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69817\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77578"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=69817"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=69817"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=69817"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}