Feeling Like an Imposter? Here’s How to OWN Your Freelance Success

Last week, I had coffee with Sarah, a UX designer who just hit six figures in her freelance business. But two years ago? She was hiding in her apartment, literally shaking before client calls, convinced she was about to be "found out" as a fraud.

"I kept thinking they'd realize I was just some kid who learned design through YouTube tutorials and side projects," she told me, laughing about it now. "Even after I successfully redesigned an entire e-commerce site that increased their sales by 40%, I still felt like I didn't deserve to be there."

Here's the plot twist: Those YouTube tutorials and side projects? They gave Sarah a fresh perspective that her clients couldn't find elsewhere. While traditionally trained designers were still creating the same old interfaces, Sarah's self-taught, user-focused approach was helping small businesses see real results. What she saw as her biggest weakness—not having a "proper" design education—turned out to be her superpower.

Our newsletter this week is all about helping you overcome imposter syndrome so you can embrace your superpower!

Must Read

Building Confidence as a Freelancer: 7 Strategies to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

This blog post offers seven practical strategies to build genuine confidence in your freelance business. Because let's be honest: those moments of self-doubt don't mean you're not good enough—they mean you care enough to question, learn, and grow.

How to Regain Confidence After Rejection as a Freelancer

Learn nine strategies to snap out of a negative thinking spiral after facing rejection in your freelance career.

Resource Roundup

Do You Write Newsletters For Clients?

A few weeks ago, I headed for bed knowing I had four interviews booked the next day for my Online Business Launchpad podcast. When I woke the next morning 3 had vanished from my schedule. Unbeknownst to me, my guests live in Florida.

With Hurricane Milton’s howling winds and pounding rain bearing down on them, they either had to evacuate or couldn’t guarantee that they would have internet access or a quiet space in which to talk.

They had to bail on me and I completely understand why.  I hope they stayed safe.

That got me thinking about people who disappear from the conversation. I've seen it happen with email lists. People sign up only to turn around and bail on you before you have a chance to convince them that you can help solve their challenges.

The cure is simple.

Veteran copywriter Steven Lewis’s “From Hello to Hooked” mini-course will show you exactly how to write welcome email sequences that act like velcro. They're so good people will happily stick around to see what you have to say.

What We're Loving

Lamy Safari Fountain Pen

The tactile feel and sound of a good fountain pen makes my heart sing with happiness. I write on my computer all day, but for some things I prefer to put pen to paper. I've started building a fountain pen collection (it's one of my few splurges), but my favorite daily pen is the Lamy Safari (affiliate link). It works well, writes with consistent quality, and it just feels good in my hand. Do you have a favorite pen?

Rhodia Note Pad

A good pen (and beautiful ink) calls for good paper to write on. This Rhodia notebook (affiliate link) doesn't bleed through, is smooth to write on, and it feels just a little luxurious. It's the little things that make us happy, and this is one of those little things for me.

Upcoming Events

LIVE Boss Responses Q & A Session

Let’s chat, freelancers! We're starting a new, FREE quarterly event sponsored by the Boss Responses podcast. Next Wednesday, October 30, at 12 pm ET, I'm inviting some of my favorite co-hosts to join us to answer questions, chat, and share tips about how to grow our freelancer businesses. Our first guest is the amazing Michelle Garrett! If you’re just starting out or looking to scale, register for this free freelancer gathering today. We'll share ideas and tackle your questions together.

Mastering Content Strategy Bootcamp

Marketing as a whole is in flux, and the content game is changing faster than ever before. Rapidly developing AI technology, mass layoffs that are flooding the market with new freelancers, and clients who are re-prioritizing their budgets have most of the content professionals I know asking, "What can I do to future-proof my business?"

Provide Content Strategy as a Service! How can that help? High value services, like content strategy and strategic consulting, help your clients achieve their business goals by providing tailored solutions, improving efficiency, and positioning them for long-term success. Offering high-value services helps you futureproof your business.

I see a frequent misconception that content strategy is a form of content planning. Nothing could be further from the truth. It's taken me years to put together a solid, proven process for creating a content strategy that wows clients and turns them into superfans! 

But it all starts with five foundational elements. I'll teach those to you in the Mastering Content Strategy Bootcamp. 

Wrap Up

Here's something I wish someone had told me when I started freelancing: The most successful people aren't the ones who never doubt themselves—they're the ones who keep going despite those doubts.

Every time you think "Who am I to do this?" try asking instead: "Who am I not to?" Your perspective, your experiences, your unique way of solving problems – these aren't just good enough, they're exactly what someone out there needs.

So take this as your permission slip to succeed. To raise your rates. To go after that dream client. To build the business you want, not the one your inner critic thinks you deserve.

Because the world needs what only you can bring to the table.

The confidence you're looking for? It's built in those moments when you choose to move forward, even with the uncertainty. Especially with the uncertainty.

You've got this. And now you've got the tools to prove it to yourself, one small win at a time.

We'd love to hear your own imposter syndrome stories. What's the moment that made you feel most like a fraud, and how did you push through it? Hit reply and let us know—your story might help another freelancer realize they're not alone.

Please note that as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.  That means that if you click on one of our affiliate links (these are clearly identified) then we will receive a small commission, for which we thank you.  It helps us keep on providing informative posts that help you build your freelance writing career and business.