If you’re a freelancer with ample experience, your job is to utilize the skills and knowledge you’ve gained over the years to help your clients.
And if you’re a Gen Z-er looking to get into freelancing, your job is to learn from those with experience while leveraging what’s special about your generation.
If you take advantage of each other’s strengths, both sides will benefit: You’ll become a stronger group of freelancers who can serve clients better, and you’ll feel more fulfilled in all that you do.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Generation Z brings a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to the freelance industry. |
| 2. Their digital native status gives them an edge in utilizing technology for freelancing. |
| 3. Gen Z is highly adaptable and quick to learn new skills, making them valuable assets in a fast-paced freelance environment. |
| 4. They are comfortable with remote work and virtual collaboration, making them well-suited for the freelance lifestyle. |
| 5. Gen Z has a strong entrepreneurial spirit, allowing them to take initiative and create their own opportunities in the freelance business. |
| 6. Their affinity for social media and online platforms enables them to effectively market their services and build a personal brand. |
| 7. Gen Z’s ability to navigate the gig economy and embrace non-traditional career paths makes them a natural fit for freelancing. |
| 8. They have a fresh understanding of current trends and consumer preferences, making them valuable for businesses targeting younger demographics. |
| 9. Gen Z’s high level of tech literacy and familiarity with digital tools streamline their workflow and enhance their productivity as freelancers. |
| 10. Their passion for meaningful work and desire for work-life balance align well with the freelance lifestyle. |
| 11. Gen Z’s ability to network and connect with others digitally opens up opportunities for collaboration and growth in the freelance industry. |
| 12. Their willingness to take risks and embrace new challenges positions them for success in an ever-evolving freelance landscape. |
| 13. Gen Z’s natural inclination towards continuous learning and self-improvement allows them to stay ahead of the curve in the freelance business. |
1. They’re Innovative
The Generation Z is the most innovative generation in history. They are not afraid to try new things, they are not afraid to take risks, and they are not afraid to stand out and be different.
Gen Z thinks outside of the box, they think differently than previous generations did and some might even say that this generation is crazy! Their way of thinking is almost like a hobby for them; they just love doing it!
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2. They’re Fearless
Generation Z is the least risk-averse generation. They don’t fear failure, they don’t fear change and they don’t fear being different.
They also don’t mind failing or changing as much as other generations do because they have a “go big or go home” mentality that comes from having grown up in a world where everyone gets second chances (and third and fourth).
The bottom line: Generation Z has no problem being wrong. It’s a badge of honor for them to be seen as someone willing to push boundaries or embrace failure on their path toward success.
3. They’re Technologically Savvy
As the first generation to grow up with the Internet, Generation Z is extremely comfortable with technology. Gen Z doesn’t just use technology they also know how to fix it when something goes wrong.
They understand that technology is a tool and necessary for many daily tasks; in fact, more than half of them have used it for school assignments.
Generation Z has grown up learning new things from online resources, so they’re constantly adapting their skills as new technological advances present themselves along with an increasing amount of information available through the internet.
This means that if your freelancing business needs some help with digital marketing strategies or website design, then you should consider hiring a Gen Z freelancer who can handle these tasks for you!
4. They’re Analytical
They’re good at problem-solving
Generation Z is known for being a generation of analytical thinkers who are excellent at finding solutions to problems. As freelancers, you need employees that can work well with others and figure out how to improve processes and products.
If one of your clients has a problem with their website or some other aspect of your service, Generation Z will be able to find ways to fix it quickly.
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5. They’re Good At Working In Teams
One of the most important skills a freelancer needs is the ability to work well with others in teams or groups.
Generation Z is known for being team oriented, which makes them perfect for your business because they’ll be able to combine their knowledge and help each other out when needed.
6. They’re Risk-Takers
As you can see, Gen Z is a generation that’s willing to take risks. They’re not afraid to try new things and they want their work to make an impact.
They’re also more likely to take risks when it comes to making money; if the job isn’t fulfilling or interesting enough for them, they’ll move on rather than stick around and do something that doesn’t fulfill their needs.
7. They’re Not Afraid To Stand Out
You see, Generation Z is not afraid to stand out. They’re the first generation who grew up in a world where they can make their own choices and live life on their terms, and they know it.
They also have the tools to do so before they were even born, their parents were using social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to make connections with friends that might otherwise have gone unmade.
So what does this mean for your Freelance Business? It means that if you want to attract customers from Generation Z (and you should), then your business needs to be different from other businesses out there. It needs to be unique!
8. They Want To Make A Difference In The World
They want to make a difference in the world. And they’re willing to do whatever it takes.
The Gen Zers have been born into a world that has seen devastating wars, economic crises, and political corruption.
They are aware of these issues from a very young age, but they don’t get caught up in despair or anger about them instead, they want to find solutions for themselves and their community.
They want to improve other people’s lives and not just those who are close by (like you), but anyone who needs help anywhere on this planet. They want your business to be part of something bigger than yourself or your immediate surroundings;
They know that by working with you, you can create innovative solutions and bring different perspectives together to take action against issues facing humanity today.
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9. They Value Diversity And Inclusion
The benefits of diversity and inclusion are hardly new. However, Generation Z is more likely than previous generations to seek out companies that embrace diversity.
42 percent of Gen Zers say they’re more likely to work for a company that embraces diversity and inclusion (compared with just 21 percent of Baby Boomers).
If you want to attract the best talent out there–think about what your office culture looks like and how it reflects upon your brand.
Are there diverse backgrounds represented in leadership roles? Do people from different backgrounds feel welcome in your space? If not, now is the time to make changes so that future generations will see your freelancer business as an employer worth working for.
10. They Want To Work From Home And Be Their Boss
Generation Z is a generation that values flexibility and independence. They want to be able to work from home, on their terms, and at their own pace. As a freelancer, you can give them exactly this kind of freedom.
You can offer them flexible scheduling so they have time for their outside commitments without feeling like they have to rush through their work to meet deadlines or make it back in time for family dinners.
Additionally, being your boss allows you to set your own rules about how much (or little) time you spend working on any given day/week/month.
And if something comes up outside of work hours that require attention from an employee then they’ll probably be able to manage everything themselves!
It’s also worth noting that many millennials were raised by parents who worked from home during school breaks.
So they’re accustomed not only to having more autonomy over their schedules but also to figuring out how best to manage multiple tasks at once (like balancing schoolwork with extracurricular activities).
11. They Value Authenticity Over Perfectionism
Gen Zers are naturally more authentic than previous generations. They’re the most authentic generation since the Silent Generation (though these boomers were children during WWII).
According to a 2018 study by The Harvard Business Review, Gen Z is more likely to tell it like it is and be honest about their feelings. They are also less likely to fake emotions or lie to get ahead in their careers.
These traits make them an ideal audience for your business because you can be sure that you’re getting real work from a real person who won’t disappoint when faced with challenges or customer service issues.
Gen Zers value authenticity so highly that they expect other professionals in their field and potential employers to behave authentically as well.
This means that if you present yourself as someone who isn’t authentic and genuine but instead someone who just wants money without caring about the people on your team or client list.
Then Gen Z will see right through your façade and move on to someone else who makes them feel valued and important enough to trust with their projects or money (or both!).
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12. They’re Educated About And Value Online Privacy And Security
If you’re a freelancer, there’s no doubt that the internet is your office. You need to be online all the time to communicate with clients and manage your business. You also want to keep your information safe and secure so that you don’t get hacked or lose any sensitive data.
Thankfully, Generation Z has been educated about the benefits of online privacy and security since they were in grade school.
They understand how important it is to avoid getting hacked by using a VPN (a virtual private network), using password managers like 1Password or Dashlane, and using two-factor authentication when signing up for new accounts.
These are just a few ways that Generation Z makes life easier for freelancers who work remotely on computers every day:
13. These Generations Are More Connected Than Ever Before
While Generation Z is a very tech-savvy generation, they’re also more connected to the world than any other generation before them.
This means that you don’t need to worry about your client being in a different time zone and them not being able to contact you when they need your help.
They are always connected through social media, email, and phone calls meaning that no matter where in the world your freelance business takes you, clients can get in touch with you at any time of day or night (if they want).
Everyone Can Benefit From Working With Gen Z. Takeaway
In today’s global economy, everyone can benefit from working with Gen Z. They are the most diverse generation in history, the most educated and connected generation in history, and they have more entrepreneurial ambition than any other cohort before them.
If you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner looking to grow your client base by hiring young freelancers or even just get a better understanding of how Gen Z thinks then this series is for you!
We will explore 13 reasons why it makes sense for freelancers to work with Gen Zers from all around the world.
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Conclusion
Now that you know why Gen Z is so great for your business, it’s time to reach out and start building relationships.
The best way to do this? Social media of course! Look into the various social platforms that these generations use and figure out which one best matches your business needs.
Then make sure to post regularly, interact with your audience, and build up a community so that when you’re ready to hire someone from generation Z they’ll be familiar with who you are and what kind of work experience awaits them at your company. Good luck!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further reading on the topic:
Freelancing: The Newest Trend Among Gen Z: Explore how freelancing has become a popular trend among Generation Z, with insights into their motivations and the impact on the workforce.
How Generation Z Is Altering the Face of Entrepreneurship: Discover how Generation Z is reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape with their unique perspectives and innovative approaches to business.
Freelance Life at Work: Stories and Insights: Gain valuable insights and stories from freelancers about their experiences and the challenges they face in the freelance lifestyle.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about freelancing and Generation Z:
How does freelancing benefit Generation Z?
Freelancing offers Generation Z the opportunity to have flexible work arrangements, gain valuable experience, and pursue their passions while maintaining a work-life balance.
What skills are valuable for freelancing in Generation Z?
Skills such as digital marketing, social media management, graphic design, programming, and content creation are highly sought after in the freelance marketplace for Generation Z.
What challenges do Generation Z freelancers face?
Generation Z freelancers may face challenges such as finding clients, setting competitive rates, managing their time effectively, and establishing a strong professional network.
Are there specific industries where Generation Z freelancers thrive?
Generation Z freelancers can thrive in industries such as digital marketing, e-commerce, content creation, technology, and creative arts, where their digital skills and fresh perspectives are highly valued.
How can Generation Z freelancers build a successful personal brand?
To build a successful personal brand, Generation Z freelancers should focus on showcasing their unique skills, creating a strong online presence, networking, and consistently delivering high-quality work to clients.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.