Daniel Atitienei’s Post

The Time I Almost Quit Freelancing,  And Why I Didn't. Ugh, freelancing. It can be amazing, right? Total freedom, setting your own hours, being your own boss. But let's be real, there are also days – maybe even weeks – where you just want to chuck your laptop out the window. Been there, done that (almost).  For me, it was a brutal combo of Losing clients and work Overload that made even the smallest task feel like climbing Mount Everest in flip-flops.  The never-ending hunt for new clients was starting to feel like a wacky game show & the lack of a clear path forward felt like a giant middle finger from the freelance gods. Seriously, should I just quit? (Every Brain Cell asking the same question) But Here's the thing: I didn't.  And here are 3 things really made a difference: 1. Finding My Freelancer Squad:  Connecting with other freelancers online and in person was a lifesaver.  Suddenly, I wasn't alone in this crazy freelancing world.  Venting about struggles and swapping tips with people who "get it" was a huge boost. 2. Redefining the "Win": Forget the endless hustle. I shifted my focus to balance and sanity.  This meant setting boundaries, saying no to projects that weren't a good fit, and actually taking care of myself (shocking, I know). 3. Remembering Why I Started:  I took a step back and re-evaluated my niche.  Focusing on projects I truly enjoyed rekindled the spark that got me into freelancing in the first place.  Freelancing wasn't just about the work; it was about the passion. So, friends, have you ever been there? Freelancing is a wild ride, but we don't have to go it alone.  What's your biggest freelancing struggle (or win) you'd like to share?  Spill the Secrets in the comments!  

Find your path I've chosen to freelance. Freelancing isn't just a career choice—it's a mindset. And I've learned that the journey is never as smooth as you might think in the beginning. There are days when you feel on top of the world and days when you wonder why you left the "safety" of a 9-5. And even prayed to go back. But here's what I realized: ✨ The power is in your hands. Freelancing means creating the life and work that you want. It's about building something from the ground up, even if that means you'll experience a roller coaster ride along the way. HAHA. And trust me, those "failures" are actually growth in disguise. 💡 Some days will be hard, some clients will be difficult, and some projects will stretch your limits. But that's where this journey feels so exciting and scary at the same time. Every step forward—no matter how small—is still progress. Here's what I've learned about freelancing: You're allowed to have bad days. You're allowed to rest and recharge. You're allowed to pivot, change directions, and redefine what success looks like to you. So, if you're in the thick of it right now, know this: You're exactly where you need to be. Keep going. You're building something amazing—one step at a time. 🌟 What's been your biggest lesson in freelancing so far? Let's chat in the comments! 👇

When I finally realized my skills had value to offer the world, that’s when I stepped into freelancing. I had just gotten into tech, completely clueless about what I was doing. Heck, even now, I’m still learning new things every single day (and honestly, I hope that never stops). Freelancing has been a rollercoaster for me—high highs and low lows. But one thing’s for sure: I love sharing what I’ve learned with anyone who’s thinking of taking the leap into freelancing. I always do. But y’all know I’m not exactly conventional. So, I decided to do something different. I wrote a book about freelancing. But not just any book—this one’s different. Instead of throwing boring “do this, do that” advice at you, I used storytelling to teach the lessons I’ve learned along the way. This isn’t your average how-to guide. Nope. This is a story—a relatable, raw, and sometimes painfully honest look at freelancing through the eyes of Tayo. You’ll laugh, cringe, and maybe even shed a tear as you follow his journey. But most importantly, you’ll learn. Each chapter is packed with practical strategies, seamlessly woven into Tayo’s experiences. You won’t just read about freelancing—you’ll feel it and live it. Oh, and did I mention? It’s FREE. You can grab it right now, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! https://selar.co/gc2e41

A Rookie Freelancing Mistake, That Almost Costed me My Dream Client. Freelancing in the early days can feel like saying "yes" to everything.   Every project seems like a golden opportunity, and the thought of turning one down feels like kicking a puppy.  Well, let me tell you a story about how my "Yeah Sure" phase almost turned into a client disaster (and a major personal meltdown). I landed this dream project with a fantastic client.  Communication was smooth, deadlines were manageable – it felt perfect.  The client mentioned a "tiny" additional request that "wouldn't take much time."  Every Freelancer Must Have Heard this, right?  Before I could even think it through, "Yeah sure!" flew out of my mouth.  Classic newbie mistake. That "tiny request” Turned into Major Revisions.  The quality of my work started to suffer as the Deadline was Closing in. Lesson learned: saying "no" doesn't make you a bad freelancer. In fact, it can be the best thing you can do for yourself and your client. So, what did I take away from this near-disaster? ✔ Boundaries are My BFF: Now, I have clear boundaries in place. I understand my capacity and communicate it upfront. ✔ The Art of the "Maybe Later": Instead of a flat-out "no," I can offer alternative solutions that fit within the agreed-upon scope. ✔ Honesty is Key: If something's going to impact the timeline or budget, I communicate it clearly and work with the client to find a solution. Freelancing is a constant learning curve, and this "Yeah Sure" phase was a valuable (and slightly terrifying) lesson.  But hey, the good news is we can all learn from each other's mistakes! So Have you ever been in such Situation Before? Let Me know in the Comments. 

Have you noticed freelancing through my specs? Worklife freedom is great. But, choosing a freelancing career is worth it primarily due to the constant learning opportunities it provides. The life of a freelancer might sound glamorous. But, it's not a walk in the park though. The sleepless nights and exhausting days, desperate trials to cope with deadlines, patient handling of multiple revisions, and dealing with depression after getting scammed or undervalued say it all. Still, I prefer freelancing. Working with multiple clients has helped me greatly in molding my writing into the right shape. It is an ongoing process. You learn whenever you are in the mood to learn. Compared to a full-time job, here you learn more. Because, freelancing requires you to fulfill the writing requirements of quite a few people from different backgrounds. However, not every client is valuable. I can bet that among a dozen, only one or two clients would take genuine concern in improving your writing with constructive feedback, thorough guidance, and unconditional support even if you make a mistake. I was fortunate enough to have one such client at the beginning of my Content Writing career. I am, and will be, really grateful to him my entire life. Throughout my freelancing career, I've come across good clients, not-so-good clients, cheaters, and neutral ones who focus just on getting the work done. Today, I can say that throughout our personal and professional life, providing value to the lives of others matters a lot. It may not earn you any financial benefit. But, the heartfelt blessings, good vibes, and lifelong well-wishers you earn are beyond money. P.S.: Why do you think freelancing is worth it?

The Time I Almost Quit Freelancing, And Why I Didn't. Freelancing - It can be amazing, right? Total freedom, setting your own hours, being your own boss. But let's be real, there are also days – maybe even weeks – where you just want to chuck your laptop out the window. Been there, done that (almost). For me, it was a brutal combo of Losing clients and work Overload that made even the smallest task feel like climbing Mount Everest in flip-flops. The never-ending hunt for new clients was starting to feel like a wacky game show & the lack of a clear path forward felt like a giant middle finger from the freelance gods. Seriously, should I just quit? (Every Brain Cell asking the same question) But Here's the thing: I didn't. And here are 3 things really made a difference: 1. Finding My Freelancer Squad: Connecting with other freelancers online and in person was a lifesaver. Suddenly, I wasn't alone in this crazy freelancing world. Venting about struggles and Exchanging tips with people who "get it" was a huge boost. 2. Redefining the "Win": Forget the endless hustle. I shifted my focus to balance and sanity. This meant setting boundaries, saying no to projects that weren't a good fit, and actually taking care of myself (shocking, I know). 3. Remembering Why I Started: I took a step back and re-evaluated my niche. Focusing on projects I truly enjoyed rekindled the spark that got me into freelancing in the first place. Freelancing wasn't just about the work; it was about the passion. So, friends, have you ever been there? Freelancing is a wild ride, but we don't have to go it alone. What's your biggest freelancing struggle (or win) you'd like to share? Spill the Secrets in the comments!

My First Freelance Experience: What I Learned the Hard Way For some reason, my first experience with everything tends to be rough, and freelancing was no different! I connected with someone on LinkedIn who wanted to offer me a full-time job, but I wasn’t able to take it on at the time. So, I suggested freelancing instead. I designed some posts for them and even made a business video. But guess what? I never got paid. I kept messaging, following up for my payment, and every time, I either got ignored or told, “I’ll call you when I’m free.” It’s been frustrating beyond words, and honestly, I was ready to give up. But then something amazing happened. I met another person on LinkedIn who needed their CV redesigned. I quoted my price, and the next thing I knew, they sent me a screenshot of the payment and said, “Take your time. Just make it look great!” That moment had me grinning from ear to ear. The first thing I did was message my dad—his reaction was the best part! (Check out the screenshot below ) If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all of this, it’s: Never start a project without getting paid upfront, no matter how nice someone seems. Always have a contract in place so you can protect yourself if things go wrong. Freelancing is a rollercoaster, but I’m learning and growing every step of the way.

There were so many tasks in freelancing that just felt... dull. Constant tracking of engagement, responding to comments & DM, keeping track of leads, building my network and whatnot! These tasks are dull, boring AND IMPORTANT too!! Honestly, I’d rather have done anything else. They are so important that if avoided, my freelancing will not make any profits. I often get asked on how I handle the boring & uninteresting tasks in freelancing. And there's only one way to handle it. Force yourself to do the boring stuff too. “Tinaga tinaga vemu tiyyanundu,” (Telugu proverb) which basically means even something bitter like neem leaves can start to taste okay if you eat them every day. I took this to heart. I decided to force myself to tackle these boring tasks every single day for a month. And you know what? At first, it was still just as dull, but over time, it became part of my routine. The more I did it, the more I started to get used to it—and even appreciate it. What once felt like a drag became just another part of my day. So, if you’re slogging through tasks that seem never-ending and boring, hang in there. Consistency can turn that drudgery into something you might actually start to like. What is the most boring task in your profession?

WANT TO BECOME A FREELANCING SUPERSTAR IN JUST A WEEK? Here's a wild idea: pretend you're a client instead of a freelancer. First off, pick a simple task from whatever you're working on right now. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just something you need to get done. Then, jump onto a freelancing site and put up a job post for it. This bit’s kinda fun because you get to see what it’s like on the other side of the table. As people start applying, take a good look at how they pitch themselves. You'll learn a ton about what makes a freelancer stand out. Then, it's interview time. Chatting with them is a goldmine of insights on what questions to ask and how to spot the real deal. Choosing someone and explaining the task to them is next. This is where you get to practice being super clear about what you need – a skill that's super important when you're the one doing the freelancing. Now, the real test: checking their work. Seeing things from a client's point of view helps you understand what quality really means. And when it’s all done and dusted, wrapping up the project teaches you about ending things on a good note, maybe with some useful feedback. Doing this whole act-like-a-client stunt teaches you heaps about what clients want and how to be better at meeting those needs. Plus, figuring out where you might be going wrong is way easier this way than if you spent years just freelancing on your own. Trust me, it’s a game-changer.