Hey there! Are you thinking about becoming a freelancer? Are you looking for more flexibility in your schedule and career? Or maybe you just want to have some extra cash coming in on the side.
It’s understandable why so many people are turning to freelance work nowadays. The economy has changed and many people are looking for new opportunities.
That’s why we put together this list of reasons to consider freelancing instead of your 9-to-5 job. Here they are:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Greater flexibility and freedom over your schedule and work-life balance. |
| 2. Opportunity to pursue your passion and work on projects you truly enjoy. |
| 3. Potential for higher earnings and financial growth as a freelancer. |
| 4. Ability to be your own boss and make independent decisions. |
| 5. More variety in work and the chance to continuously learn and develop new skills. |
| 6. Increased control over your career path and the projects you take on. |
| 7. Option to work from anywhere, allowing for location independence. |
| 8. Possibility of a healthier and less stressful work environment. |
| 9. Ability to choose your clients and work with people who align with your values. |
| 10. Opportunity to build a diverse professional network and expand your connections. |
| 11. Enhanced personal growth and self-discipline as a freelancer. |
| 12. Potential for greater job satisfaction and fulfillment. |
| 13. Ability to prioritize your own well-being and achieve a better work-life integration. |
| 14. Flexibility to take breaks and vacations as needed without seeking approval. |
| 15. Option to explore and experiment with different industries and projects. |
1. You Can Take Advantage Of The Job Market From Anywhere
There’s no more need to commute to an office, sit at a desk all day, and only interact with the same people every day. You can work from home or when you travel internationally.
You may even decide to live abroad and find that it’s easier than ever before to maintain your freelance income while living in another country!
Treating freelancing as a business is crucial for long-term success. Learn why it’s important to adopt a business mindset in our article on Is Freelancing a Business? and discover strategies to maximize your freelance career.
2. You Make Your Schedule
In a 9-to-5 job, you have no control over when you work or what you work on. If your boss is in a bad mood and decides that he wants to do the accounting himself instead of letting you handle it, then too bad for you.
You’re stuck sitting at that desk until he gets bored and goes back home. Maybe that would be fine for some people but if other things in life are important to you like family and friends, then freelancing is much better because:
- You can work when YOU want (for example during weekends)
- You can work at OUR location (your home office) instead of fighting traffic to get there every day
- You can set YOUR schedule based on YOUR needs
3. You Can Work With Awesome People On Every Project
If you’re a freelancer, then you’ve probably already had the experience of working with awesome people. Maybe it was an editor who helped you make your piece better than it could have been on your own. Or maybe it was a graphic designer who created eye-catching artwork for your project.
This can be especially rewarding if you’ve gotten to know these people over time and built up a relationship with them through your work together. You might find yourself becoming friends with them as well as colleagues!
Are you looking to kick-start your freelancing career quickly? Our comprehensive guide on 12 Tips to Kick-Start Your Freelancing Career in Less Than a Month provides actionable advice and proven techniques to accelerate your path to freelancing success.
4. You Can Be (And Look) More Professional
Let’s face it: you don’t need a suit and tie to be a professional. You just need to look and act like one. That said, wearing a suit is kind of a nice bonus.
For me, dressing professionally means wearing non-trendy and muted colors (no loud ties or loud shirts), making sure my shoes are polished cleanly, having nice-looking jewelry (if any), etc.
It also means carrying myself in such a way that conveys confidence and competence walking with purpose, looking people in the eye when I speak with them, maintaining eye contact during meetings or phone calls (even though it feels awkward sometimes), etc.
I’ve found that with these small changes alone dressing more professionally for work as well as carrying myself with more confidence my clients seem more willing to trust me and thus make better decisions because they’re not worried about whether I know what I’m doing.
5. You Have More Time To Spend On Activities You Enjoy
Freelancing is that it allows you to spend more time with loved ones, which can make for a much happier lifestyle.
If you’re a parent, being able to spend more time at home with your kids is an incredible feeling. You can be there for them when they need help with homework or want to talk about their day at school.
You can also let them know that you love them by spending quality time together doing activities that interest them whether it’s going out for ice cream or playing video games all afternoon. There are countless opportunities for bonding with family members when you work from home!
And if becoming a freelancer means having more time on your hands during the summer months, this means there are also more opportunities for vacations and travel
Whether it involves visiting friends across town or taking an international trip around the world (which may not even be possible if you have obligations at work), being able to do what interests you right now instead of worrying about answering emails will make those choices much easier
Exploring the freelance agency model can open new doors for your business. Find out what it entails and how to apply it in our insightful article on What Is the Freelance Agency Model? Discover the advantages and steps to establish your own freelance agency.
6. It Can Help You Earn A Higher Income
When you work as a freelancer, you can earn more money than if you had taken a traditional job. This is because of two main factors: your hourly rate and the number of hours that you’re willing to work.
If you’re making money by working for someone else, then it’s likely that they will be paying a flat rate per hour or project. You might not be able to negotiate this up or down much because they have no reason to give more than they have agreed upon in advance.
But when working as a freelancer, there are many different ways that people charge for their services and these prices may vary widely. For example, some people charge by the hour while others charge based on how much output they produce within that time frame (i.e., hourly vs per project).
Some take into account what type of work needs doing; others don’t care so long as they get paid whatever amount was agreed upon beforehand. And some individuals are even willing to do free projects just so long as it helps them build up their portfolio.
This makes sense because no matter how much experience someone has had doing something before they’ll always want more opportunities available so that other companies will hire them again someday soon!
7. It Might Be Easier To Break Into Your Industry As A Freelancer
The first thing to consider is whether or not you’re going to be working on projects that are closer to your skillset.
As a freelancer, you can choose which clients and projects you work with. This means that if there are any gaps in your experience or education, it’s up to you to get those skills yourself before taking on a project.
As a freelancer, it might also be easier for you to break into an industry because everyone knows what they want to be done but no one knows how to do it themselves. If you have the right combination of talent and drive, this could lead directly to an offer at another company within the industry after just one project.
8. Your Tax Burden Is Lower Than It Would Be With A 9-To-5 Job
If you work for yourself, out of your home, you don’t have to pay for any of these things. You also don’t have to take a cut from your paycheck to cover them either.
While there are still plenty of expenses and taxes associated with self-employment (such as equipment, website hosting, and software), they’re far less than what an employee would normally be paying into their company’s health insurance plan or 401(k).
Imagine a future where you can sustain yourself solely on your freelance income. It’s possible! Dive into our article on You Can Live Off Your Freelance Income Forever to uncover strategies for financial stability, growth, and achieving long-term success as a freelancer.
9. There Are No End-Of-Year Reviews Or Goal Setting Meetings
No one is going to tell you what your goals should be. No one is going to evaluate your performance or give you feedback on how well you’re doing at meeting your annual objectives.
You get to decide. This freedom will help keep things positive and motivating because it’s easier to meet a goal if you’ve chosen it for yourself.
If you like the idea of setting more achievable goals, but don’t know where to start, here are some tips:
- Don’t set unrealistic expectations for yourself (and others). If someone else were setting these goals for me, I would be wary of them being too ambitious or ridiculous since no one else gets involved in my projects except myself.
I can set realistic deadlines that aren’t unreachable by any means (or at least not so far-fetched as they’d make me feel frustrated).
- Set realistic deadlines based on experience with similar endeavors. For example: if writing a book was something I did before so I know how long that process usually takes me under normal circumstances without external pressures interfering with my timeline (like having children).
Then why not use those numbers again when deciding what kinds of deadlines will work best?
10. You Get To Talk With Clients About The Stuff That Matters Most To Them
This is one of the biggest benefits of freelance writing. You get to understand their needs and goals, ask questions, and learn about their business.
This will help you write more useful content for them while also making sure they’re happy with your work. That being said, if you don’t have a good grasp of how your target client thinks, this isn’t going to happen overnight.
But as soon as you do know what kind of information they need and want from you (and why), it will be much easier for both parties involved in the project you included.
11. Less Risk Of Long-Term Unemployment If Things Go South At Work
As an entrepreneur, you have the power to create your job. You are also in control of your schedule and you can work from anywhere in the world, which means that if you run into problems at work or get laid off, it won’t be as devastating for your career.
You can take on multiple projects at once and still earn money even if you’re currently unemployed. This gives you a safety net until the perfect opportunity comes along, or perhaps it turns out that freelancing is better than taking another 9-5 gig!
12. Money Doesn’t Have To Be Everything For You
There are plenty of ways to make money doing things you love and that make you happy. You just need to be willing to look around a bit before deciding on a career path.
And even if your current job isn’t the best option for making more money or getting out of debt, there are still ways for you to save up some cash so that when the time comes for change, you’ll have something saved up so you can afford it without being completely broke forever after.
For example, freelance writing gigs are often well paid because they’re in demand and require little overhead (i.e., no office supplies or desk space).
You can also use websites like Gigwalk or TaskRabbit as an alternative source of income even if the pay isn’t fantastic (on average between $8-$25 per task), these sites offer extra work opportunities in areas where there would otherwise be nothing available at all due to the local competition being too high (like say…photography).
13. Ability To Make Some Extra Cash On The Side From Home
When you work for yourself, you can make some extra cash on the side from home. So if you’re not interested in jumping into a full-time freelance career (and don’t feel like being your boss), this is a great way to make some extra money on the side.
If you’re a freelancer that works from home, there are no limits as to when or where you will work. You get to decide.
This means that if it’s 9 am and your kids are still sleeping, then go ahead and take advantage of them being asleep by getting some work done before they wake up. Or perhaps it’s 9 pm and they are playing outside while it’s still light out? Go ahead and spend time with them while working at night.
This freedom also means that clients can be flexible too if one client wants something done right away but another doesn’t care when he gets his project back? No problem! Just pick whichever one comes first. It’s all up to you.
Starting your freelancing journey from home? Our beginner’s guide on Freelancing from Home provides essential tips, insights, and practical advice to help you establish a productive and fulfilling freelance career while enjoying the comforts of home.
14. The Better Your Work Gets, The More Work You Get Offered
You’ll get more work if you are good at what you do. If you’re a specialist in a particular field or even just an expert in one part of your industry, other people will want to hire you for that reason alone.
The same goes for being able to work faster or cheaper than others. With freelancing, there’s no need to convince anyone else that your skills are worth paying for if the client doesn’t like them, they can simply go elsewhere!
15. Ability To Create A Diverse Portfolio Of Work For Yourself And Network With Other Talented Freelancers In All Industries
Being a freelancer allows you to work in a variety of industries, with clients from all walks of life. Freelancers need to have a diverse portfolio of work, as well as the opportunity to network with other talented freelancers in different industries.
Having this diversity gives you the chance to demonstrate your creative abilities and stand out from the crowd.
Final Thoughts
Finally, whether you’re looking for a way to earn some extra cash, or you want to build your own business and work from home, freelancing can be a great way to do it. You don’t have to quit your day job and say goodbye to the stability of working for someone else.
Freelancing can be an excellent option for people who want more flexibility, freedom, and control over their schedule
Further Reading
15 Popular Reasons to Become a Freelancer or Entrepreneur: Explore a comprehensive article highlighting 15 popular reasons why individuals choose to become freelancers or entrepreneurs. Gain insights into the advantages and benefits of pursuing a freelance career.
10 Reasons Why Freelancing Is Better Than Any 9-5 Job: Discover the top 10 reasons why freelancing can offer a more fulfilling and rewarding experience compared to a traditional 9-5 job. Learn about the freedom, flexibility, and potential for higher earnings that come with freelancing.
Benefits of Freelancing: Why Choose the Freelance Lifestyle: Dive into an in-depth exploration of the benefits of freelancing. Uncover the advantages of being your own boss, setting your own schedule, and enjoying the autonomy and control that freelancing offers.
People Also Ask
What Are The Benefits Of Freelancing?
Freelancing is the best way to make the most money because you don’t have to worry about a salary and benefits. You can work at home, and you can choose your hours.
How Do I Get Started?
The first thing you need to do is set up an online presence. You’ll want a website where people can find out more about what you do, as well as contact information (like email addresses) where they can reach out to you directly if they need help with something specific.
How Do I Get Clients?
The best way is through referrals from previous clients or friends who have worked with you before but don’t rely on those alone! It’s also important to put yourself out there by offering free samples of your work so that potential clients can see what it would be like if they hired someone like me instead of just reading about it online somewhere.”
How Much Money Can I Make As A Freelancer?
The amount of money that you make depends on what type of work you do, how many hours per week you work, and how much experience you have. It’s not uncommon for newbie freelancers to make $100–200 per month, but once you gain experience, you may make over $1,000 per month or more.
What’s The Difference Between Freelancing And Working A 9 To 5?
Freelancing is a lifestyle. It’s about doing what you love, being your boss, and having the flexibility to spend time with your family or on your hobbies.
A 9-to-5 job, on the other hand, is about having a set schedule, working for someone else, and not being able to take vacations when you want them.
Is There Anything Else I Need To Know About Freelancing?
Yes! When freelancers work on projects for clients, they often have to deal with deadlines and strict requirements. This means that freelancers must be organized and able to plan to meet these requirements.
Also, while many people choose this career because they enjoy it, it can be stressful at times because there are always deadlines looming overhead; however, if this sort of stress isn’t something that bothers you then it shouldn’t be too much of an issue either.
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.
I love this article so much. Keep on with the good work