You may not have heard of the term ‘freelancing’ before, but you’ve probably done it at some point throughout your life. For example, maybe you babysat when you were younger and got paid for it, or perhaps you picked up odd jobs like mowing lawns or collecting shopping carts with a cart retriever at the grocery store.
A freelancer is simply someone who works on a project basis instead of being a full-time employee for one company. Although the freelance industry isn’t new, in recent years there has been an increase in this employment model due to the rise of startups and technology companies. In addition, big corporations are also beginning to embrace this new way of working.
[Read: Are You Worried About Your Freelance Career? Here’s How To Get Over It]
As this trend continues to grow, more and more people are starting to realize that freelancing is the way of the future for many reasons, during the year 2020, the number of Americans doing freelance work reached 59 million.
Here are seven reasons why freelancing is a bright way to go in life!
Takeaways |
---|
Freelancing offers flexibility and autonomy in work hours and location. |
It provides opportunities for higher earnings and financial growth. |
Freelancers have the ability to choose their projects and clients. |
The future of work is shifting towards remote and independent work. |
Freelancing allows individuals to pursue their passions and interests. |
It promotes a better work-life balance and reduces commuting time. |
Freelancers can gain diverse experience and skills through various projects. |
The gig economy provides a platform for freelancers to connect with clients. |
Freelancing offers the potential for personal and professional growth. |
1. Low Investment
Unlike starting your own business which requires huge capital, freelancing doesn’t require any startup money. All you need to have is a laptop/smartphone and a good internet connection. This way you can save your time in looking for investors, loan approvals, etc.
Freelancing has given me the incredible gift of time and travel. Discover how freelancing can open up a world of opportunities in our article on how freelancing gave me the gift of time and travel.
2. Work From Anywhere
Since freelancing doesn’t need you to join an office or be based out of any location, in particular, you can work from anywhere! You can work from home or if you like change, you can choose to work from a coffee shop or even co-working spaces.
3. Flexible Working Hours
When you are working on your own, no one will pressurize you to complete any task within a given time frame. You can decide how many tasks you want to take up every day or a month.
4. Access To A Global Talent Pool
Most of us have worked with a freelancer at some point, whether it was to design our business cards, build our websites or create content for our blogs. As more and more people turn to freelance, businesses are finding they have access to talent around the world.
Hiring a freelancer can provide you with access to the best talent no matter where they are based. You can find someone who specializes in exactly what you need and gets amazing results from your investment. This can be particularly useful if you need something specific that isn’t available locally.
Are you tired of working for someone else? Explore the 11 reasons why freelancing is a better choice than traditional employment in our comprehensive guide on why freelancing is better than working for someone else.
5. An Abundance Of Opportunities
With the number of people going online increasing every day, there are more opportunities for you to get clients and make money. More people now have access to the internet, which means that there are more potential clients for you to work for.
Stay up-to-date with the most sought-after freelance skills in 2022 to thrive in the competitive market. Learn more in our comprehensive guide on top 10 most sought-after freelance skills in 2022 and boost your freelancing career.
6. A Variety Of Projects
Unlike a regular job, you will not be stuck with one kind of project in freelancing. You can experiment with different types of projects and explore new avenues with each passing day. This keeps you from growing bored and stagnant with your work which is a common problem in regular jobs.
7. Higher Earning Potential
There are many reasons people choose to freelance but higher earnings are one of the top factors. According to Upwork’s Freelancing in America study, freelancers earned an average $20 hourly rate compared to $16 for non-freelancers. This can add up to bigger earnings for freelancers.
Discover why freelancers are the future of work and how it can impact your career. Dive into our article on why freelancers are the future of work and what that means for you to stay ahead in the changing landscape.
8. Reduced Work-Related Stress
You’re free to do what you love. Everyone has to do things they don’t like at some point in their career, but freelancing lets you spend more time doing what you enjoy, rather than just what pays the bills. If you’ve always wanted to write but have been stuck doing administration all your life, now’s your chance!
9. The Gig Economy Is on the Rise
Millennials are leading this shift in how work is done in today’s world. They want more flexibility and freedom than their parents did, and they’re willing to sacrifice job security for a better work-life balance. This has led them to pursue freelance jobs instead of full-time employment.
Looking to earn more as a freelancer? Enhance your freelance skills and increase your earning potential with our valuable insights on freelancing skills that will help you earn more.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to being a freelancer, not everyone is suited for the job. But for those who enjoy the freedom and flexibility that it offers, it can be a worthwhile career path to consider. Freelancing affords you the ability to realize your professional goals on your own terms, and to dictate when, where, and how you work from day to day. It also reduces the risk of burnout associated with a 9-5 job, since you’re able to pursue multiple gigs at once without sacrificing time or energy.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to explore the topic of freelancing as the future of work:
Reasons Why Freelancing Is the Future of Work Industry: Discover the key reasons why freelancing is considered the future of the work industry in this insightful article.
Five Reasons Why Freelancing Is the Future of Work: Explore the five compelling reasons that make freelancing the future of work and how it can benefit both individuals and businesses.
10 Reasons Why Freelancing Is Better Than Any 9-5 Job: Dive into this blog post to understand the ten reasons why freelancing can provide more advantages and flexibility compared to traditional 9-5 jobs.
Freelancing is the way of the future FAQs
Question: How much do freelancers make?
Answer: Web/mobile developers, marketers, lawyers, accountants, and other skilled freelancers earn an even higher hourly average wage of $28/hour.
Question: What are the best ways to find freelance work?
Answer: About 50% of freelancers find assignments through referrals — people they know and trust. The rest use job boards (14%), proposal sites (9%), social media (8%), and other means including bidding sites (7%), virtual staffing agencies (5%), and general search engines (3%).
Question: What’s the best way to charge for freelance work?
Answer: It depends on what you’re doing. For example, if you’re writing a business plan or designing a website for a client, one way to bill is by the project. If you’re providing ongoing marketing services such as social media marketing or writing you can charge per hour.
Question: How do I find work as a freelancer?
Answer: There are many websites available that help freelancers find work. They work similarly to dating websites in that clients will post ads for work and contractors will bid on them. Some services include Upwork, Freelancer.com, People Per Hour, and Fiverr.
Question: Why should I freelance?
Answer: Freelancing is the way of the future. It’s a growing trend that offers the potential for greater freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment. You are your own boss and you can work when, where and how you want.
Question: What are the best skills to freelance?
Answer: Every business needs help with one or more of the following tasks, so if you have any of these skills, you’ll have no problem finding clients to pay for your services: Writing/Editing, Graphic Design, Mobile App Programming, Website Design, etc.
Additional Reading: Work As We Knew It Is Ending. The Remote, Freelance Revolution Has Begun
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.