The top 5 missteps most new freelancers commit and how to avoid them, according to the head of Upwork's talent success team

Freelancing comes with many ancillary tasks. That means you have to remember all the tasks that businesses routinely handle, from budgeting and contracts to invoicing and client communication. It also includes marketing, business development, and sales. When you decide to freelance, you are launching a business!

The most important thing you can do to establish credibility and gain more business is creating a professional, polished portfolio. Clients want to see what you've accomplished — and what you can do for them. Anyone can showcase their professional experience with a little creativity. Point to a mobile app you designed on iTunes, or your reputation on GitHub; write up a case study of a project success or show a screenshot of a successful program with the details blurred out.

While it's easy to assume that you'll get more jobs if you profess to be adept at everything, successful freelancers usually find the opposite is true — focused and targeted marketing does best. That's because most clients want someone who excels at one thing — whether that's understanding the ins and outs of a niche industry such as blockchain, or focusing on a specific skill, like developing investor presentations. In reality, you probably do well at several things within a specific domain; focus on demonstrating your specialization within that domain, and market each specific service you offer to a targeted group of clients.

The most successful independent providers view each opportunity as a chance to create an ongoing mutually beneficial relationship. Look for signals of a client's level of intent and long-term potential, and trust your instincts. When an enterprise client offers a small job, knock your delivery out of the park to get your foot in the door — ideally, it will lead to repeat work. It's often the clients with the biggest long-term needs that start with a "test" project to find the right fit.

Always focus on how you can expand your value; maybe they're asking for a deliverable, but you can also help them hone their strategy. Talk to clients about their next project, or who else in their company could use your services. As a freelancer, you're not just providing your service, you're also acting as head of business development. Be proactive. If you don't pitch yourself, who will?

Continuing education is crucial to staying on top of changes in your industry and keeping your skills sharp. For skilled freelancers providing services like computer programming, writing, design, IT, and business consulting, FIA found that four in five recognize the value of ongoing training to their work and future opportunities. To keep up with the evolving job market, 71% of these skilled freelancers said they are updating their skills to ensure they stay marketable. Remember that not all sought-after skills are technical; consider focusing on your soft skills, which will help boost your "EQ" and allow you to better service clients.

While it may feel like a lot of moving parts to get started as a freelancer, just like any new role or business endeavor, it simply takes time to get acclimated and into a rhythm. But it won't take long for you to realize the incredible benefits: From flexibility and the freedom to spend time with family and friends to the ability to choose projects that excite you.

Remember that it's a long game, and setting your sights on goals — and then taking the steps to achieve them — will set you up for success.

The time is now. Make 2020 your most rewarding year yet.