What are freelancers silent about

Hello!

Inspired by stories about the benefits of freelance work — flexible schedules, no bosses, and the freedom to leave the traditional office — many decide to make the leap. In practice, however, freelancing turns out to be the same demanding job, sometimes requiring work from early morning until midnight. We spoke with freelancers about the challenges they face and the approaches that help them overcome them.

1. Irregular orders

What to do: constantly seek new projects and maintain honest communication with clients.

Unlike office employees, freelancers must find clients themselves. It usually takes about a year to build a stable workload. Before that, periods of either no orders or excessive workload are common. The hardest part is the constant uncertainty: you never know whether new projects will appear tomorrow. Some days bring several interesting tasks, while others bring none. After several months of freelancing, this feeling of uncertainty does not disappear entirely, but you learn to accept that a quiet day today often means work tomorrow.

The key is to deliver quality work. If something does not go as planned, inform the client honestly and, of course, do not charge for unsatisfactory results. I always approach every project as if I were doing it for myself.

Sergey
Videographer

2. A busy schedule

What to do: choose work you genuinely enjoy.

The freelancer must manage everything independently. Qualities such as reliability, teamwork skills, and results orientation become essential. For more than ten years I worked in various roles in road construction. Later I tried running a small business selling donuts. At the same time, I pursued photography for many years.

It is important to understand that freelancing is not a vacation but real work that requires consistent effort. I now have fewer days off than I did in public service. Even on vacation I still process photos, yet I do not view this as work — it is a creative process that brings me pleasure. In a typical month I have only one or two days when I do not pick up the camera.

Dmitry
Photographer

3. Self-organization

What to do: create a clear schedule and follow it, remembering to take breaks.

Remote work suits organized individuals who can plan and adhere to a structured routine. Those who struggle with self-discipline may find freelancing better suited as a side activity rather than a primary occupation. The transition to shaping my own day was challenging. I would wake up, work out or have breakfast, then sit at the computer. Every day I needed to secure one or two orders, or one substantial project per week. To cover food and housing, I aimed to earn between 1.5 and 2 thousand rubles daily.

On freelance I encountered several difficulties:

• Constant distractions at home — the refrigerator, bed, television, and social networks — make it hard to concentrate and begin work. Once an order is completed, it is easy to disconnect entirely.
• I had to force myself to leave the apartment for a walk to switch mental focus; staying within four walls often proved demotivating rather than inspiring.

Eventually I found office employment and combined it with freelance work. For me, QUASA remains an ideal part-time option because it offers the freedom to choose orders and clients on my own terms.

Gregory
Copywriter

4. Communication with customers

What to do: practice negotiation skills and observe how successful professionals handle client interactions.

The biggest challenge for freelancers is often the clients themselves. People vary — some are pleasant, others difficult. The ability to find common ground with everyone is crucial. There is a saying: “If you feel something might go wrong, it probably will.”

I have encountered unreliable clients, so I now require payment immediately after the shoot. I retain certain leverage: the photos stay with me until payment is received, and I can provide them partially or with watermarks if necessary. This approach eliminates payment issues.

Earlier, in 2004-2005, I sold credit cards. At that time many people were unfamiliar with the product. I had to actively seek clients, make cold calls, and approach passers-by on the street. That experience made it much easier for me to communicate and negotiate with any client today.

Dmitry
Photographer

5. Irregular schedule

What to do: be prepared to respond to client messages even at 23:00.

The main advantage of remote work is freedom from a fixed schedule. The downside is the need to stay constantly available. A freelancer must remain responsive, goal-oriented, and ready to assist clients morning, afternoon, or evening. I have tasks scheduled as early as 8 a.m. and as late as 23 p.m.

Working for yourself imposes certain limitations — you must always be reachable. During reporting periods I have no days off at all. Yet no one gives me orders from above. I plan my own workload and know exactly what needs to be done and when. There is no need to perform pointless tasks from 9:00 to 18:00 simply to receive a salary. I need meaningful goals and visible results, along with appropriate compensation.

Natalya
Accountant

Why freelancers still choose this path

The sense of freedom and absence of a boss remain the strongest motivators. Freelance allows you to set your own schedule aligned with personal rhythms, determine the number of orders, and plan daily workload independently. You can take a walk or nap in the afternoon whenever needed. Yet the advantage most frequently mentioned by all participants is the lack of a manager.

The greatest benefit is that no boss stands above me — I answer only to myself. Everything depends on self-organization. For someone unable to discipline themselves, freelancing becomes extremely difficult.

I view any freelance role as either a temporary stage or a stepping stone to something greater. I am convinced that freelancing cannot be a lifelong occupation. One day I will move on, but for now I enjoy working for myself.

Dmitry
Photographer

Some see freelancing as a temporary phase, while others find it the most suitable long-term format. Determining whether freelancing fits you is simple — just give it a try.

Thank you!