Feeling invisible as a freelancer is one of the worst parts of the job — and it’s rarely spoken about. 

You’ll find plenty of blogs on loneliness and freelancing, but feeling invisible is a whole other topic. 

Let’s break the silence. Scroll down to hear my experience and learn how to cope with this difficult experience.  

Is It Normal To Feel Invisible as a Freelancer?

If you’re feeling invisible, it’s hard to imagine others out there are feeling the same way. But they are, and there’s more of them than you may realize. 

As a freelancer, you work alone, send hundreds of unanswered pitches, and experience seasonal quiet periods. If all these elements hit at once, it’s easy to feel like no one can see you.

I’ve recently had a quiet period. Clients I’ve worked with for years are suddenly not replying. 

Naturally, my next step was to send warm pitches, cold emails, and a few Upwork applications. 

But I’ve received… crickets. 

I know this is part of the job, and I know I’ve chosen this career. But this doesn’t take away the fact it’s slightly demoralizing to work hard on communication and outreach to get nothing in return.

It’s also incredibly depressing when a routine client goes silent. I’m also dealing with a client who hasn’t replied to me for a month, and the invoice hasn’t been paid. 

However, I’m not ready to throw the towel in yet!

Overcoming Feeling Invisible

As much as feeling invisible as a freelancer bothers me, my love for what I do and the flexibility of being self-employed reign supreme. 

Through this career, I’ve networked with some awesome professionals, grown my skills, and genuinely helped people build their businesses. 

It has also allowed me to move to countries, live a more flexible lifestyle, and be in control of my schedule. 

For me, these are major wins. Sure, I’m not working on a beach like other digital nomads, but being able to stop working and go for a run or call my sister is just as valuable to me. 

What about finding new clients? 

I’ve had quiet periods before, and I know with consistent effort, I can network and drum up business again. 

This might sound a little confident, but that’s what you do as a business owner! It’s just important that you divorce the emotional side from being unanswered. 

Most cold pitches will ignore your emails. Past clients don’t owe you work. The sad facts of life!

Or getting that invoice from the silent client?

This client told me not to send the invoice until the project was done and then ignored my emails. He’ll receive a reminder next week, and I’m sure that’ll prompt some movement. 

Bad business? Sure. Bad behavior? Also, sure. All I can control is how I respond. 

In the worst-case scenario, he doesn’t pay. Luckily, this isn’t the largest bill. It sucks, but I’ll survive and know not to work with him in the future!

Trust me, years ago I would have been tied in knots. But letting go and making more strategic responses has been a big lesson for me as a freelancer. 

When To Call It a Day

Loneliness and feeling invisible as a freelancer tend to come in seasons for me.

However, if you’ve been feeling this way for a long time and it’s starting to impact your life outside of work, it might be time to make a change.

This could involve a change in routine, a new approach to freelance work, or the switch to an in-house position.

Freelancers don’t like to admit it, but there are times when employment does sound like an easier option — and there’s no shame in admitting this!

How you feel is vital to your health and your career success.

Feeling invisible shouldn’t be your default emotion.

If you’re in one of these low periods, make sure you take time to do things you enjoy. Set a timer, send some pitches, and then close your laptop. 

Don’t brood over ifs and buts. Take a walk or snuggle up with a good book. Enjoy the things you couldn’t do if you worked in-house!

Final Thoughts

Feeling invisible as a freelancer can be devastating, but you’re not alone. Keep going, but give yourself grace while you push through. And in the end, there’s no shame in completely switching things up and exploring employment. 

Get the latest freelance scoop. Read more real-life freelance problems on The Freelance Balance blog.