Freelancing isn’t new, but the number of writers moving in this direction is climbing more and more each day.

Maybe you’ve recently made the move to becoming your own boss or been there for years already and already know the benefits. You can set your own schedule, accept or decline jobs, and grow in expertise the more writing projects you complete.

Yet, is something continuing to tug at you, leading to profound moments of self-doubt?

If so, more than likely, it’s not just a temporary lapse in confidence. You are potentially experiencing what’s referred to today as Impostor Syndrome.

With it, you may feel that any day now, others will learn your secret, the secret that you’re actually pretending, you’re not really an expert, and you lack in professional writing skills.

This Impostor Syndrome can hold you back when it comes to achieving success in your freelance marketing career or any other freelance endeavor.

While it may never completely go away, you can get past it, bury it, and regain that confidence in yourself and your abilities.

Keep reading to learn more about it!

4. Constantly Review Your Accomplishments

Regularly reviewing your past accomplishments can fuel your confidence and prove to yourself that you are not an impostor.

Brainstorm your accomplishments. Include degrees or certifications earned, new clients obtained, and fees collected.

Celebrate every accomplishment, small or large, whether it be a 500-word blog post for a client or a thousand-page white paper.

Sometimes, those “small” achievements end up being a lot more foundational than they look at first glance. That project you didn’t expect to be proud of might be the thing a client mentions six months later, or the piece that lands you your next gig. When you stop just chasing big milestones and actually sit with your steady progress—no matter how boring or minor it seems—you start to notice you’ve moved the finish line much further than you thought.

Of course, collecting proof of your own progress isn’t just about padding your ego (although, honestly, sometimes that’s nice too). It’s about building a quiet archive of reminders for the days when your brain’s out to get you. If that crumpled sticky note from a grateful client helps you keep writing one more day, then stick that sucker right next to your coffee mug. This odd little ritual of gathering evidence and revisiting your wins has a way of shutting down at least some of that background noise telling you you’re a fraud.

It also helps to share those accomplishments with people who get it. Maybe that’s a mentor, maybe it’s a random group chat where everyone’s half-bragging and half-panicking about deadlines. Even if it feels a bit awkward, letting someone else know what you’re proud of—and hearing what made them proud lately—can start to rewire the way you talk to yourself when no one else is around. It’s not about fishing for compliments; it’s just about not letting your milestones slip past unnoticed.

Compile reminders of your accomplishments, such as:

• Create a freelance writing portfolio and regularly update it.
• List out your accomplishments and look back at this list often.
• Compile positive feedback from clients and post a few of them on a bulletin board you can see each day.
• Maintain a file of correspondence with clients telling you how great an article was or how much they enjoy working with you.
• Create a freelance resume and list out all your projects

With one or more of these, you can easily review your accomplishments any time you like.

5. Interact with Supporters

While freelance writing is a solitary endeavor, you’re not alone in the profession.

It’s weird how just saying something out loud (okay, even typing it into a forum) can knock the sting out of it. I’ve met people at online events who seemed light-years ahead in experience, but then they’ll confess they’re winging it half the time, too. Sometimes, the pep talk you really need comes from a stranger in a Facebook group at 1 a.m., or that tiny emoji reaction on your latest LinkedIn post. That stuff keeps you anchored when your inner critic tries to take the wheel.

There are literally thousands of others experiencing similar lifestyles, many also going through Impostor Syndrome on a daily basis.

The freelance writers’ community is vast, meaning thousands of supporters are out there for you. These are people similar to you and want you to see you succeed. They already believe in you because you’ve taken the step to go for what you want.

Hang out in Facebook or LinkedIn groups for additional support. Join a writing community in-person or online.

Connecting with each other can make a huge difference and let you know you are not alone in your fears, self-doubt, or anxiety.

You may also be interested in these articles:

• How to Become a Freelance Editor
• Discover the 8 Best Tips to Become a Freelance Technical Writer
• 7 Freelancers Mistakes to Avoid

Wrap Up

Impostor Syndrome can interfere with your freelance writing career and make you feel inferior and undeserving of rewards for all your hard work. 

Getting past this interference is possible, and it all begins with recognizing it and finding ways to lessen its power over you and your accomplishments.