11 common mistakes of freelance Web Designers

Summary

In this video, Adrian Samosa, a former lead designer turned business mentor, shares valuable insights for freelance web designers. He highlights common pitfalls that can hinder growth and profitability, such as overcomplicating business strategies, focusing on the wrong tasks, and assuming what clients need. Adrian emphasizes the importance of specializing in a niche, understanding client pain points, and avoiding distractions like vanity metrics or shiny object syndrome. He offers practical advice on building a sustainable and successful freelance career, including prioritizing marketing and lead generation over building a website too early.

Takeaways

• 😀 Avoid building a website too early without a proper marketing strategy and lead generation in place.
• 😀 Don’t waste time on minor details like profile pictures or business names – focus on what truly matters for business growth.
• 😀 Don’t wait to reach an advanced skill level before selling – focus on becoming an expert in a niche to scale quickly.
• 😀 Create content that speaks to clients’ pain points, not just design theory or technical jargon that only other designers care about.
• 😀 Never assume you know what clients need – always ask questions and diagnose their problems to tailor your solutions effectively.
• 😀 You don’t need a huge audience to land clients – a smaller, engaged following can still help you secure high-value projects.
• 😀 Avoid shiny object syndrome – focus on mastering the tools and techniques that truly matter for your business.
• 😀 Stop overanalyzing every decision – take action and refine your processes as you go to build momentum and confidence.
• 😀 Avoid spreading yourself thin by chasing multiple income streams – focus on one main service and scale it vertically.
• 😀 Prioritize metrics that matter, like revenue and leads, over vanity metrics such as social media likes and followers.
• 😀 Specialize in a specific service and industry to raise the quality of your work and perceived value – don’t try to serve everyone.

Q & A

What are the common pitfalls freelance web designers face when starting their business?

Freelance web designers often make the mistake of overcomplicating their business. Common pitfalls include building a website too early, focusing on minor details that don't move the needle, assuming they need to reach a certain skill level before selling, creating content for other designers instead of clients, and overanalyzing decisions.

Why is building a website too early a problem for freelance web designers?

Building a website too early can be a waste of time and resources if there is no traffic or marketing strategy in place. Without consistent leads and a solid marketing plan, a website alone won’t attract clients or generate sales.

What should freelance web designers prioritize instead of focusing on minor details?

Freelance web designers should prioritize the bigger picture, like building a solid marketing strategy, generating leads, and focusing on activities that directly contribute to business growth. Minor details like choosing a profile picture or logo can be decided quickly and don’t impact the success of the business.

How can freelance web designers start earning higher income even with limited experience?

Freelance web designers can start earning higher income by specializing in a niche and offering one service that solves specific business problems. They don’t need to become senior-level designers to charge higher rates; expertise in a niche can lead to quicker growth and higher earnings.

What type of content should web designers create to attract high-paying clients?

Web designers should focus on creating content that speaks to the pain points and business problems of potential clients. Instead of talking about design theory, they should highlight how their designs can solve specific business challenges.

Why is it important for freelance web designers to avoid assuming they know what clients need?

Assuming what clients need without proper research can lead to misunderstandings. Freelancers should act as experts who diagnose clients’ needs by asking questions, understanding their pain points, and offering tailored solutions instead of assuming they already know what’s required.

Do freelance web designers need a large following to land clients?

No, freelance web designers do not need a large following to land clients. A smaller, more targeted audience of potential clients is more valuable than a large following. It’s about reaching the right people who can pay for services, not amassing thousands of followers.

How can designers avoid the trap of shiny object syndrome?

To avoid shiny object syndrome, designers should focus on mastering the tools and techniques that genuinely help their business. They should resist the temptation to constantly switch tools and methods and instead double down on what brings the most value.

What’s the best approach to decision-making when facing fear or self-doubt?

Instead of overanalyzing every decision out of fear, designers should take action and refine their approach as they go. Acting despite fear helps build confidence and progress, as doing something imperfectly is better than not acting at all.

How should freelance web designers approach their income streams?

Freelance web designers should avoid building too many income streams at once. Instead of diversifying into too many services or products, it’s better to focus on one service or niche and become an expert, which allows for higher value and scalability.

What is the issue with focusing on vanity metrics like social media likes and follows?

Focusing on vanity metrics like social media likes and follows can be misleading. Freelance web designers should track metrics that truly matter, such as revenue, leads, and conversion rates, to ensure they are growing their business sustainably and profitably.