Why Every Freelancer Needs a Mentor: The Key to Success in a Competitive Freelance Industry

As a mentor, I hold mentoring in the highest regard.

That’s why I am encouraging you to have one because I know many "newbies" often feel isolated when starting a freelance career. Unlike your last corporate job. As a freelancer, you will be responsible for everything, including finding clients, delivering quality work on time, and managing your finances.

It's too much to handle on your own.

It’s tough to start, but freelancing can be one of the most rewarding career paths. Having been there, I understand how overwhelming it can be, especially when you're new in the industry. That's why I'm a firm believer in the power of mentorship.

Your freelance career can be greatly improved with the help of a mentor.

I know because my first investment as a freelancer in 2017 was getting Neil Reichl as my mentor. I chose him because he’s been where I was. And it has become one of the best investments I ever had. He provided solid guidance, support, and advice that I used as a guiding light when I decided to take freelancing seriously.

To this day, I still practice the lessons I learned from him.

Or the experience I had with one of my mentees. Let’s call her Ingrid. Ingrid left her corporate job to pursue freelancing as an email copywriter. This new path excited her. At the same time, it made her nervous because of the uncertainties.

We got connected through a mutual friend.

We got on a call regularly. She asked me for advice on everything from pricing to portfolio building. Ingrid overcame many of the initial hurdles of starting a freelance career. Along the way, she gained valuable experience and insight, and most importantly, she felt supported and encouraged.

Now, she has multiple clients and enjoying it.

This is one of the many success stories of new freelancers who have made it with the help of a mentor. I am sharing this because I know it can be challenging. Who can you turn to for guidance when you're lost? Who can support you when you're overwhelmed and confused?

You don't have to do it alone.

Here are ways a mentor can help you:

☑️ Get advice from someone who has already experienced the challenges you’re facing right now. Mentors can share how they manage their time and client-finding strategies. They can also share their strategies and best practices.

☑️ A mentor can review your work and offer assistance and ways to improve it.

☑️ Learn new perspectives and insights you may not have thought of before.

☑️ Get an accountability partner that can help keep you on track.

A mentor can be a valuable connection as well as a trusted advisor.

Remember, having a mentor is not a substitute for hard work and dedication. But a mentor can be an invaluable asset as you navigate the ups and downs of freelancing.