The Harsh Truth About Starting Freelancing (From a Broke Beginner’s View)

 

Let’s be honest, freelance noobies— the idea of freelancing sounds sweet until you actually try it (and realize how demanding it is and how delusional you were when you thought it was going to be a breeze ). People will tell you, “Just sign up and start making money!” but what they won’t tell you is the stress, confusion, and disappointment that hits when reality kicks in.

For someone trying to start freelancing from scratch, especially in Africa, it’s not a straight road. It’s filled with fake promises, technical stress, and a lack of guidance. Let me break down the hurdles I’ve faced, and if you’re in the same boat, you’ll relate.

1. Too Much Advice, Not Enough Direction

When I started searching for how to make money online, I was hit with thousands of videos, blogs, and advice. Some said “Start surveys.” Others said “Join Fiverr.” Some even told me to start affiliate marketing or crypto trading.

The problem? None of them told me what to do step-by-step. You just keep jumping from one method to another, wasting time, energy, and data. You start to feel like freelancing is only for people in America or those with rich parents who can buy fancy laptops and software.

2. Fake Platforms and Empty Promises

Let’s talk about those survey sites.

You’ll see ads or YouTubers saying “Make $50 in one hour by answering surveys!” So you try it, thinking this is finally the jackpot. But then, boom:

The survey doesn’t work in your country.

You answer 20 questions, and they say “You’re not eligible.”

You earn 0.02 cents and need $10 to withdraw.

You finally reach the withdrawal limit and… nothing comes.

It’s not just surveys. A lot of “freelance” apps out there are designed to keep you busy and broke.

3. Payment Struggles Are Real

Even when you manage to find a legit platform, another problem shows up: how do you get your money?

Most international platforms don’t support local bank accounts directly. PayPal doesn’t even fully work in countries like Nigeria. And when you find an option like Payoneer or Geegpay, you still need to learn how to use it without messing up your cash.

It’s stressful, especially if you don’t have someone to guide you.

4. Skill Confusion and Self-Doubt

One big hurdle is not knowing what skill to even offer. You hear people talking about:

Copywriting

Graphic design

Programming

Virtual assistant work

But when you try to learn, it feels overwhelming. You ask yourself:

 “Am I even good enough?”

“ long will it take before I start earning?”

“What if nobody hires me?”

This is where most beginners give up. Not because they’re lazy, but because the pressure is too real.

5. Starting with Only a Phone

Most people think you need a laptop to freelance. Truth is, many of us only have our phones. While it limits you a bit, you can still start learning, practicing, and even creating content.

But again, most tutorials don’t show how to freelance with just a phone, so it feels like the world is stacked against you.

6. No Motivation, No Support

Let’s be honest — not everyone around you will understand what you’re trying to do. Some will laugh. Others will say you’re wasting time online.

Without motivation or someone to encourage you, it’s easy to quit. That’s why you need to be your own support system, especially at the beginning.

Final Words

Freelancing is hard. Especially when you’re starting from zero, broke, and unsure. But it’s not impossible. If you stay focused, cut out the noise, and take small, smart steps daily — you’ll break through.

I’m not claiming to be an expert. I’m still on the journey myself. But one thing I’ve learned is: as long as you keep showing up, you’ll keep growing.

So don’t give up.