When I first got into freelancing, I did what a lot of people do: I signed up for a few freelance platforms, set up a profile, and started scrolling through job listings. On the surface, it felt like the right move; lots of opportunities, lots of clients, all in one place.
But after spending time on these platforms, I realized something: they’re not built for people like me. If you live in a place with a high cost of living, take your work seriously, and charge rates that reflect your experience and quality, those platforms can feel like an uphill battle.
The Reality of Freelance Marketplaces
Most freelance platforms—whether it’s the big names or niche sites—tend to favor low-cost, high-volume work. That model might work for some folks, especially if they’re just starting out or live somewhere with a lower cost of living. But for me? It just never made sense.
Here’s why:
1. You’re Competing With the World (Literally)
You’re not just up against people in your own city or even your own country—you’re competing with people across the globe, many of whom can live comfortably on what you’d spend on lunch. I’ve seen projects go to freelancers offering to do an entire website for $50. You can’t win that game unless you’re willing to burn out or go broke trying.
2. It’s a Race to the Bottom
A lot of clients on these platforms are just looking for the cheapest option. Not all, but many. That puts pressure on freelancers to slash rates just to land work. And even when you do get a project, you’re often expected to deliver top-tier results at bargain-bin prices.
3. You Don’t Control the Relationship
The platform owns the communication. The platform takes a cut of your pay. The platform decides whether your profile gets visibility. I don’t like building my business on someone else’s rules—especially when those rules can change without warning.
So What’s the Alternative?
Instead of spending time trying to stand out in a sea of underpriced listings, I’ve found way more success marketing myself directly to businesses and partnering with agencies as a subcontractor.
Here’s what that looks like:
💼 Working With Local Businesses
Small businesses near you need help. They might not know where to look, or they might be overwhelmed by all the options online. If you can show up as a real person, speak their language, and make things simple, you’re already ahead of the game.
🧩 Becoming an Agency’s Go-To Freelancer
Agencies are often slammed and need reliable people they can plug in when things get busy. They don’t want to hunt through hundreds of profiles—they want someone they trust. I’ve built some of my best long-term client relationships this way.
🤝 Building Real Connections
Referrals, word-of-mouth, coffee meetings, quick Zoom chats; this kind of networking might sound old-school, but it works. And it leads to better projects, better rates, and mutual respect.
Final Thoughts
Freelance platforms might be useful in certain situations, I’m not saying they’re all bad, and they definitely work for some people. But for me, they were a dead end. If you’re tired of bidding wars, low rates, and platform politics, there’s another way.
Skip the platforms. Build relationships. Market yourself directly. Partner with agencies. That’s how you build something sustainable—something that doesn’t burn you out or make you feel like you’re constantly proving your worth to a robot-filtered job board.
And yeah, it takes a little more effort up front—but it’s worth it. Every time.
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