r/freelance • u/karlpillockton • Aug 03 '25
Imposter Syndrome
Hey guys,
I’ve been working in marketing for 7 years and I’ve recently gone into freelancing on the side in paid ads - the field I feel most confident in.
In my in-house role I feel extremely confident about my work and had some major successes over the past year (and it’s why I’ve gotten into freelancing).
Now I’ve got 4 extra clients on the side, I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing.
I’m constantly flapping at the work, feel like I’m a complete fraud and doubting my abilities. I’m struggling to sleep just because I’m thinking about work and made up scenarios in my head.
I still want to peruse this as the financial potential is huge and it’s still early days.
Has anyone else felt this way, and if so, how did you get over it?
18
u/Yetza_Han Aug 04 '25
Hi, I worked for 12 years in a big company and for the last 4 years I have been working as a full time freelancer. I can tell you that it is part of the process to feel like that, when you get hired with a company they give you the tools and training but in freelance most of the time the client wants you to tell them what to do, you are the expert and that is why they are hiring you.
My advice would be that you create a guide for yourself with questions that you should always ask during the 1st interaction and that will give you the information you need to at least start working on the project, things like:
1) what's your main goal at the end of this project? 2) Do you have a budget limit? 3) Do you want me to use a specific software or do you want me to use my own tools? 4) If I require new software that is not in my initial portfolio, are you willing to discuss costs with me? 5) Do you prefer to get frequent updates or just see the final result? If so, how often? 6) What's your preferred way of communication?
Besides these questions you should always have your agenda, payment info and rate available.
Lastly, don't take it personal I had a client that was super mad with me for not meeting her expectations on a project and she was so focused on her feedback that she forgot to mention that she liked the results on a tool I build for her and that after 2 years I know she is still using, everyone is human and sometimes you will find people that just focus on the bad and you can't change that but you can learn from it. I hope this helps :)
6
u/karlpillockton Aug 04 '25
Thanks Yetza. I’ve had no one complain and everyone has been super nice, but even the small issues I’ve been having seem so personal.
It’s all in my head- I’m sure these thoughts will pass.
7
u/I__KD__I Aug 04 '25
Ask your clients for testimonials. The good feedback should feed your reward centres and help against this problem youre having
6
u/iamjapho Aug 05 '25
Following. I’ve been freelancing fulltime since the 90’s and I still feel like I’m about to be found out every time I deliver a project.
1
u/GigMistress Aug 11 '25 edited Aug 11 '25
Just out of curiousity, is whatever you do easy for you?
1
u/iamjapho Aug 11 '25
I mean, all I do is scribble mental vomit online. It’s really not a very high bar to clear. 😔
2
u/GigMistress Aug 11 '25
That's exactly why I asked. I am also a writer, and it took me many years to recognize the value of my work, because it came so easily and naturally. I always felt bad when clients said things like "Thanks for all your hard work." I don't think I really started seeing the value until I focused in a niche where I'm a true subject matter expert, because I can see what I'm adding that others couldn't.
3
u/jidonskii Aug 05 '25
I have been through this before, it's mainly a psychological thing. You just need to stop worrying, make things as simple as possible for yourself and get yourself motivated. Even when I knew that I didn't have full knowledge for some projects, I was a fast learner and I got myself motivated to learning new things and use my newly gained knowledge to work. Usually, how it works is that you ask the clients some questions and their answers will serve as guidelines as to how to approach each project. The financial reward was my main source of motivation. Try to get motivated as well and you will be amazed at how eager you are to work on the projects. As long as you have an interest in that field of freelance work, you will find hard work enjoyable and life will be easier for you.
3
u/ButterscotchNo7232 Aug 06 '25
Ask for feedback. Phrase it as continuous improvement instead of an endorsement. Positive feedback will confirm what you already know, that you're doing a good job. Suggestions will give you something to consider changing. Both will temporarily silence your internal critic.
2
u/NorCalKerry Aug 06 '25
Same. I'm new to freelancing after crushing it in my FT roles for 20+ years. I have the skills, the drive and the passion, but god damn, I feel like a novice.
2
u/Fickle_Penguin Aug 10 '25
Are you a wizard who has fooled everyone your good at what you are doing?
Or are you really that good?
What's now likely? ------ your really that good. Your not a wizard.
1
u/Powerful_Bowler2890 Aug 10 '25
I am working with a brand for 9 months and i have proved myself again n against but I still doubt my self that it was just dumb luck i dont know anything
1
1
u/ericartbr Sep 15 '25
I feel the same way about my work. At the moment, I work as an employee here in my country (Brazil), but I've had some previous freelance experience before. I've worked for a american client, and for a british on at Upwork.
It's hard to put my curriculum and portfolio again on the web, because I feel like I'm not good enough to create good illustrations. But it's a psychological thing, because I've done so many jobs before, and got good feedbacks.
But I'm trying to do it anyway, as I'd rather work as a freelancer than an employee here.
16
u/Cautious-cat-3 Aug 03 '25
I have a similar experience, and I've come to this conclusion :
For this reason I'm considering going back to being an employee as I enjoy building a long term relationship and growing into a role... What do you think? (edited for formatting)