Learn from me! The 5 biggest mistakes I made when I swapped a salary for freelancing

It was 17 November 2007 when I said goodbye to my final full-time paycheque.

I was so burnt out.

Yet I only had $1000 in savings, too.

I knew I was in a job I loved with toxic leadership that was not going anywhere.

Time to exit stage left.

Freelancing was going to be my cash flow bridge between jobs.

Leaving a corporate PR job to go freelance is both exhilarating and terrifying. When I leapt, I had a great CV, references galore, and some sharp comms skills—yet a lot to learn.

While I don’t regret my decision for a second, I made plenty of common mistakes along the way. Most journos are not born to be business owners.

If you’re considering making the switch, here are five of the biggest lessons I learned to avoid the same pitfalls.

1. Undercharging for My Services

When I started, I priced my services based on what I thought clients would pay to get them in rather than what my skills and experience were worth. I undervalued myself, forgetting I was bringing years of expertise—not just my time. A time-for-money mindset held me back for those first few years.

Lesson: Do your research. Understand industry rates, factor in taxes and business expenses, and price yourself accordingly. Clients will pay for value if you’re good at what you do.

2. Saying Yes to the Wrong Clients

I was eager to build my client base early on, so I said yes to almost anyone interested. This led to working with clients who didn’t respect my time, had unrealistic expectations, or weren’t the right fit. Money is not everything. Values matter, as do work styles.

Lesson: Be selective. Define your ideal client, look for red flags early, and don’t hesitate to say no. The right clients will appreciate your expertise and professionalism.

3. Not Marketing Myself Properly

I assumed my corporate reputation and network would automatically generate business. While referrals helped, they weren’t enough on their own. I wasn’t actively marketing myself, so leads dried up faster than I expected.

Lesson: Marketing is non-negotiable. Build a strong LinkedIn presence, leverage past connections, create valuable content, and don’t hesitate to pitch yourself or make new connections online or in person. Consistency is key.

4. Trying to Do Everything Alone

In my corporate role, I had a team. As a freelancer, I was the team. I was drowning in admin, invoicing, and tech issues, which pulled me away from client work and revenue-generating activities.

Lesson: Outsource and automate where possible. Whether hiring a virtual assistant, using accounting software, or streamlining workflows, free yourself up to focus on what you do best.

5. Not Setting Clear Boundaries

Without the structure of a 9-to-5 job, I let work seep into my evenings and weekends. I answered emails at all hours, over-serviced clients, and quickly felt overwhelmed and burned out.

Lesson: Set boundaries from day one. Define working hours, establish clear communication expectations, and stick to them. A well-balanced freelancer is a more effective one. As your business grows, this can’t change.

Going freelance was one of the best decisions I ever made, leading me to run several businesses that have made my heart sing, but it came with many unknowns and endless challenges.

If you’re considering the leap, I want you to learn from my rookie errors and set yourself up to soar.

Are you a freelancer who wants a business that sustains you financially and wellbeing-wise? What lessons have you learned along the way? My new 8-week PR Pro to CEO course can help you bypass some of the pain points – new start date: 24 February 2025.