Freelancing Competition–Friends or Foes?
Posted June 27, 2010 in Business, Inspiration
Let’s face it. If you’re a freelancer, then you’ve got competition.
Competition means that there is someone else who is also targeting your ideal clients and prospects. They may be applying for the same projects. They may even be getting more of those projects than you are getting.
It’s very easy for a freelancer to get distracted by what their competition is doing.
In this post, we’ll discuss the three possible attitudes you can have towards your competition. We’ll also explain why it’s important not to get too sidetracked by focusing on your competitors.
Competition and Freelancing
Competition is a huge part of the freelancing landscape. So much so, in fact, that we’ve discussed different aspects of competition before on Freelance Folder:
Nearly every freelancer that I’ve ever met eventually deals with the issue of how to treat their competition (both online and in person). If you haven’t faced this issue yet–trust me, you will.
Your freelancing competition is everywhere you look. In fact, there are probably freelancing competitors working in your community right now. And, of course, the internet is filled with freelancers who are competing with you to get the same business.
Three Possible Attitudes
Faced with all this competition, what’s a freelancer to do?
There are basically three possible attitudes that you can have towards your freelance competitors:
- View them as enemies–If you view your competitors as enemies, then you will probably treat another freelancer angrily or sharply if you ever have to interact with them. If you blog, some of that bitterness will likely bleed into your posts and color the image that both potential clients and other freelancers have of you.
- View them as possible friends–If you view your competitors as friends, then you will probably enjoy interacting with them online and in person. You will treat them warmly and politely. Your blog posts and your online image will most likely be positive and upbeat towards all (which will tend to attract people to you).
- Ignore them–If you ignore your competitors, then you will likely not seek out any interactions with other freelancers. This may be because you’re really shy, pre-occupied, just generally self-focused, or for some other reason.
Over the years, I’ve watched various freelancers exhibit all of these attitudes and I’ve also experienced some of them myself.
In the next section, we explore whether or not there’s a right or wrong attitude to have towards your competitors.
The Best Attitude to Have
When it comes to competition, is there a right or wrong attitude?
Personally, I think that there is a best attitude to have. I tend to view freelance competitors as possible friends.
In the long term, this perspective has really paid off for me. I have received referral work from competitors and, as their business has grown, I’ve even accepted projects from several of them. None of this could have happened if I had chosen to view my freelance competitors as enemies instead of as potential friends.
However, if for some reason you just can’t bring yourself to view your competitors as potential friends, then I think it is probably best to ignore them. At least that way, you won’t be caught up in the negative energy that comes with being too competitive with others and your attitude won’t taint your work.
Don’t Let the Competition Distract You
It’s all too easy to get caught up in gossiping or griping about your competitors–especially if your own business has slowed down. I’ve seen this trend lately on message boards and in social media. But, the truth is, gossiping and griping about other freelancers won’t actually improve your own freelancing business.
Even if what your competitor does seems unfair to you, taking the time to fret about another freelancer’s activities just means that you have less time to spend marketing your own business. Plus, if you make your comments where they can viewed by others, such as on a message board or through social media, they may come back to haunt you if you ever have the opportunity to work with (or for) that other freelancer.
While I do think that it is important to be aware of what freelancing trends are happening in your field, it’s just not a good idea to get too distracted by a specific freelancing competitor. Ultimately, what they do (or don’t do) will reflect on them and what you do (or don’t do) will reflect on you.
What Do You Think?
Which attitude do you take towards your competitors, and why? Have you benefitted by befriending your freelancing competitors?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
Image by theogeo
Related posts:
- How to Be Competitive Without Alienating Your Peers
- Should You Spy on Your Competition?
- 3 Steps To Creating A Freelancing Brand That Sells
About the author: Laura Spencer is a freelance writer from North Central Texas with over 20 years of professional business writing experience. If you liked this post, then you may also enjoy Laura’s blog about her freelance writing experiences, WritingThoughts. Laura is also on Google+.
The Unlimited Freelancer is Now Only $19
Unleash the true potential of your business. Get The Unlimited Freelancer and start transforming your freelance business,
now only $19.
Try searching "Getting Clients" or "Productivity"
Free Report
Sign up for our product discount list to get a free copy of Why Some Freelancers Thrive and Others Barely Survive. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Forum Discussions
- Re: oakley sunglasses cheap
May 26th, 2012 - 8:54 am - Re: Website Design
May 26th, 2012 - 8:53 am - Re: what is seo ?
May 26th, 2012 - 8:52 am
Popular Articles
- SEO Techniques All Top Websites Should Use
- When a Client Can't Afford You: Why It's Still Better to Bid High
- How To Stop Scrambling For Clients And Get A Steady Stream Of Paying Gigs
- A Simple Way To Stop Clients From Rejecting Your Proposals
- 3 Reasons Your Rates Are Still Low (And How To Start Raising Them)
29 Comments
Corie
June 27th, 2010 at 9:12 amGreat post. I am still a design student and I haven’t fully emerged myself in the freelance world yet, but I’d have to say I’d agree with you on seeing the competition as possible friends. You never know where a personal/professional relationship can take you and since there are thousands of freelance competitors out there wouldn’t that be like slamming thousands of doors and cutting off opportunities. I think I’d rather take the chance to make something out of those thousands of open doors!
Avonelle Lovhaug
June 27th, 2010 at 9:13 amThis is an interesting way of looking at it. I’m a programmer, and when I attend technology events like user groups, etc., my “competition” is often there. But I’ve realized they are a potential source of useful information and assistance.
Not only that, but earlier this year I started a side business that targets other freelance programmers. In that way, I’ve turned them not just into friends but potential clients!
Leisa Good
June 27th, 2010 at 9:28 amI like to see my competitors as colleagues. I am comfortable with what I do and how I do it. Everyone in this business is truely unique and brings something truely unique to the table. I firmly believe in authencity.
The only competitors that I feel I have are the DIYers, who feel that they can do it themselves (web design, copywriting, and several other skills). They are the ones who are impossible to compete against, because they are always looking for “FREE” and want to save every last penny.
Sponsi
June 27th, 2010 at 9:56 amFriends! Of course, friends! We are all in the same boat/train/whatever. It would be foolish to view them as enemies, to try to make their image less professional, etc. – unless they really are that bad…but it’s all about individual cases. Generally peace, love and rock’n'roll : )
Jordan Walker
June 27th, 2010 at 11:46 amTo be apropos: keep your friends close, but your enemies closer!
Theo M
June 27th, 2010 at 1:18 pmBooooooooring
sorry
Behzad
June 27th, 2010 at 6:36 pmThere are those that welcome sharing and networking and I am one of them, but there are those that just want to soak it all up and do not give back, those I am hesitant to share with.
Ashley Hill
June 27th, 2010 at 7:26 pmI’m still getting into the game so I haven’t had *that* much experience working with other freelancers, but of those I do not, I would say I stay friendly to them.
There’s no point in not being friendly…you never know when you might need them in the future.
I have noticed some designers can be snooty about their work, but there’s one of those in every crowd…those I ignore…it’s a two-way streak…if they’re unable to be friendly back, or say things about your company or your work then yeah, time to ignore.
milosh
June 27th, 2010 at 8:50 pmfriendship, synergy, collaboration!
luckily we are in a really friendly industry where most of people are willing to collaborate and share, knowledge, connections, resources.
i didn’t meet many alienating freelancers and i am friends with lots of people from the web world.
talking about competition is pointless!
TLC
June 27th, 2010 at 9:27 pmDefinitely treat them as friends first. If your name comes up in conversation with a future client, it would be best for a competitor to speak positively about you. Also, you never know when a competitor will get a project and find out that help is needed — help that you can provide. Likewise, you never know when a project will expand into something you can’t entirely handle, and you’ll need someone else’s help.
I met a great partner when I was overseeing production of a TV commercial for a client. He was overseeing the project for the shopping center in which their office is located. He found out I can write and immediately asked me to partner with him. “I can write,” he said, “but it makes my head explode.” I’ve taken over one blog for him and written a Web site, and more collaborations are planned. Likewise, I’ve had clients ask me to redesign Web sites that take more programming than I can handle, so I can partner with him to get that done.
Reputation is key to great referrals. You need to establish a great reputation with everyone in your field, clients and competitors alike.
Ross
June 28th, 2010 at 4:09 amI dont think competition for web designers is as fierce compared to other career fields (ex politicians….etc..) In general when a particular project is assumed, we all send out our proposals and let the client choose. Elements of reply speed and well drafted proposals are helpful but I would never take it to another level and badmouth other freelancers just to get a particular project.
Stephanie
June 28th, 2010 at 6:33 amI’m not the type of person who over-competes nor am I the type who allows others to stop or slow me down in reaching my goals. I aim to befriend every member of the competition and to help and seek help from them in our journey to success, but if a particular member tries to bring me down then bring it on. ;)
milosh
June 28th, 2010 at 12:06 pmwe are all in the same boat, alienating is way too dangerous
i am really happy about most of people in the web world and we are a bunch of nice folks that don’t mind sharing and helping
Cory
June 28th, 2010 at 1:09 pmI certainly view my competition as friends because I think part of successful freelancing involves collaborating with others on projects.
Other freelancers can be a valuable asset to you, especially when you are first starting out.
Issa
June 29th, 2010 at 2:01 amI think there’s always the adage that goes: Keep your best friends close, your enemies closer. Frankly, competition can boost you to perform your best and give you some leverage on what your skills are worth up to this moment. In my personal experience, my competition have been helpful, where I’m given tips every now and then on how I can boost my career as a freelancer. Also, when there’s a bad apple to deal with ( aka bad client ), it’s nice to have some support group around. In the end, no matter who your competition is, you’ll have to learn the art of selling your skills to win a deal.
Linda Lee
February 5th, 2011 at 10:56 pmI agree wholeheartedly with your approach. We all can’t do it all. Many webmasters I have met are old school and have no idea how to build an effective and customized WordPress site, so if they are not threatened by me, I am happy to sub contract or take the referral and give them back something maybe I do not specialize in.
There is one lady who is so similar to me, but she runs a marketing and publishing business with lots of web related work and topics, while I am all sites, promotion, seo and WordPress. When we have spoken at events on panels or seminars we say practically the same thing, but she told someone who asked about hiring me that she ” couldn’t recommend me because she does not know my work”. Wow that hurt actually. We are in some circles where we share contacts and people always compare us to each other, (in a good way).
She seems like a nice lady, but I guess there is something negative there for her.
Neither of us are going anywhere so I will just keep be as nice as I can and hope someday she does feel the need to say stuff like that. It is a bummer because I admire her and would totally send people her way.
John
November 9th, 2011 at 4:28 pmI guess I treat my competitors as opponents rather than enemies.
odd videos
March 20th, 2012 at 8:28 amIll put a link to this blog on my website. Im sure my visitors will find dis post very informative
Trackbacks