The freelancer is far from a new phenomenon. But if you still haven’t hired one, it’s probably because at some point you were told they’re not serious professionals that they’re hobbyists who do their jobs as a side gig, or college students who take on freelance work to make some extra cash before getting a “real job.”
Well, get ready for this: hiring a freelancer to do full-time work is an increasingly common and effective option for many companies. According to the Freelancing in America report from Upwork and the Freelancers Union, currently, 55 million Americans are freelancing.
And there’s no sign of them slowing down; by 2027, almost half of the US workforce will be made up of freelancers. So how do you determine if hiring a full-time freelancer makes sense for your company?
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Freelancing can be a viable full-time career option for creatives. |
| Creatives often choose freelancing for the flexibility and control it offers over their work. |
| Freelancing allows creatives to pursue their passion projects and work on a variety of projects. |
| Building a strong network and personal brand are essential for success in freelancing. |
| It’s important for freelancers to manage their finances, set clear contracts, and negotiate fair rates. |
| Continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends are crucial for freelance creatives. |
| Balancing work-life integration and setting boundaries is key to maintaining well-being as a freelancer. |
| Freelancing requires self-discipline, self-motivation, and effective time management skills. |
| Overcoming challenges and embracing the ups and downs of freelancing is part of the journey. |
| Collaborating and seeking support from other freelancers can foster professional growth and community. |
1. I Can Do My Own Thing
You can work on your terms. You can choose the scope and scale of your projects, how long you work each day, what hours you work and when, who you want to work with and how often. Your boss won’t be calling you at home to ask if you’re available for a project.
If they do call at night or on weekends, it will be because they need help with something that needs to be done now not because some deadline was missed or someone needs a favor from an employee every time there’s a problem in the office.
It’s also possible that working from home gives people more time in their day (or even week) than working in an office would; this allows for more flexibility in scheduling meetings and events outside of working hours rather than having them interfere with getting things done during normal business hours where everyone else is present as well
If you’re considering freelancing in addition to having a full-time job, there are numerous reasons why it can be a rewarding choice. Check out our article on 6 reasons to be a freelancer to explore the advantages of embracing the freelance lifestyle.
2. No Second Job Is Necessary
For many, the idea of freelancing as a full-time job is a hard pill to swallow. After all, how can you possibly earn enough money to live on in just one day? But if you’re willing to put in the effort and work hard enough, then it’s incredibly possible with freelancing.
That being said, the freelancing does not come easy for everyone. You’ll have to learn how to manage your time effectively so that you don’t get overwhelmed by projects or clients. You’ll also need effective communication skills with your clients and employers so that they feel comfortable working with you on future projects too!
3. Meet Cool People When Freelancing
The third point is an extension of the second. You’ll meet new people who are indifferent fields than you, and they might be way more successful than you are. This can be intimidating, but it’s also exciting! You now have someone to look up to and learn from.
You can also meet people who are at similar levels as you, which is great for networking purposes. And finally, many freelancers work with clients via email or Slack, or something similar; this means that they’re often working on projects with remote teams which creates opportunities for collaboration!
4. No Office Means No Dress Code
Here are some of the reasons that creatives say freelancing is a full-time job:
No dress code. You might be wearing a suit to work in an office, but there’s no one else around to see you. When you’re working from home and don’t have clients coming over or coworkers hanging out at lunch, your clothing choice isn’t a concern you can wear whatever makes you feel good! And if you’re spending most of your day on a yoga mat, well…even better.
No commute (and no traffic). Commuting between home and work can take up hours each day, not including time spent waiting in traffic or on public transit.
It’s easy to lose focus when commuting (especially for creative types), so being able to get up early enough for yourself is important so that work doesn’t start as soon as it does with other jobs where people tend towards late starts anyways.
No boss or coworkers means more freedom in how much time gets dedicated to projects versus socializing with others during “office hours.”
Are you a Gen Z individual looking to achieve success in the freelance economy? We’ve got you covered. Dive into our comprehensive guide with 15 tips to help Gen Z achieve success in the evolving world of freelancing.
5. Work Anytime, Anywhere
If you’re an independent freelancer, the number one benefit is that you get to choose your schedule. You can work when and where it’s best for you. If a client needs something done at 3:00 AM on a Tuesday, then so be it. You have the flexibility to do just that!
When most people think of freelancing as a way to make money, they envision working from their home and how great it would be if they could work from anywhere else in the world with Wi-Fi access. It’s possible for us now thanks to technology like iPhones, laptops and tablets (though some things will require an internet connection).
6. Work At Your Own Pace When Freelancing
When you freelance, you can work when you want to. You can take breaks when you want to. You can take time off when you want to. You can work on your schedule, which means that if one day is too busy for an extended period and another day is slower than usual, it won’t affect your paycheck.
The flexibility is a huge benefit of freelancing as a full-time job because it allows creatives more freedom in their daily lives and lets them meet their unique needs without worrying about being penalized by their employers or clients.
7. Take A Break Whenever You Want To When Freelancing
You can take a break whenever you want to, with no one holding your hand or telling you that it’s time to get back to work. There are no rules around when or how much time off is appropriate you are the boss of yourself!
If I need a break from my job and my freelance writing clients, I go on vacation, hang out with friends, or just do nothing for a few days. This gives me energy when it’s time to get back into my full-time freelance writing career again.
8. Be Your Boss When Freelancing
When you’re an independent contractor, no one’s telling you what to do. There’s no boss to report to and no one telling you when you can take a break or go on vacation unless it’s yourself!
Being your boss means having the freedom to set your hours, vacation days, and even dress code (if that’s something that matters for your industry). It also means being accountable for all of this so if things are going well, then good job! If not…well…better luck next time!
The freelance landscape is rapidly transforming the way we work. Curious about the changes and their impact? Discover more in our article on how freelancing is changing the way we work, and stay ahead of the curve in this dynamic industry.
9. I Don’t Have A Second Job Because Freelancing Is Enough
As a freelancer, you are your boss. You can decide when to work and for how long; it is up to you if you want to take a break or not. You have the freedom and flexibility of being an entrepreneur without the pressure of having to make money every single day.
One of the biggest reasons why people choose not to freelance full-time is because they think that life is too short, so they need something else besides freelancing on their plate as well. This mindset will keep them from ever fully committing and investing in their business which means that they’re missing out on many opportunities in life!
10. Be Your Assistant When Freelancing
If you’re looking to break into the freelance world, it’s best not to start with a full-time client. You’ll have more time to learn new skills and build up a portfolio before taking on a major project.
Plus, if you work at it part-time and make sure that your schedule is consistent, then that part-time job might turn into full-time work much faster than if you had just started as one of their employees from day one.
It’s also important to remember that freelancing isn’t just about getting paid for the work that you do; it’s about learning new things about yourself and working toward building up your brand (or portfolio).
If this sounds like something that interests you, then we encourage all aspiring creatives out there: to take some risks! Freelance away!
Becoming a top-rated freelancer on Upwork requires strategic steps and know-how. Don’t miss our valuable guide on how to become a top-rated freelancer on Upwork that provides a step-by-step approach to boosting your freelancing career on this popular platform.
11. Flexible Hours Are Normal When Freelancing
When you’re a freelancer, it’s up to you when and where you work. You can take breaks whenever you need them, and if there are days when you don’t feel like working, that’s okay too! You can work at home or go out somewhere else to get some fresh air.
You could even bring your laptop with you on vacation so that if inspiration strikes while lounging poolside, then go for it!
You can also use this flexibility as an opportunity to create the kind of schedule that works best for your lifestyle and personal preferences. Some freelancers prefer a 5-day work week while others prefer working 7 days per week.
It depends on what works best for each person and who is better than the writers themselves? Here’s what some famous authors have said about their own experiences working as full-time writers:
12. That Gig That I Got? Yeah, It’s Still Going On Today And I Love It Even More Now Than I Did Back Then!
If you’re looking to make a career out of freelancing, I can’t stress enough how much I love freedom. I get to wake up when I want to, take breaks whenever I feel like it, and enjoy my favorite TV shows or movies in the middle of the day (actually, this one is a lie because of #NetflixIsForWorking).
I also love that no boss is breathing down my neck or telling me what to do. It’s just me and my laptop working on making money from home!
The best part about being self-employed is that you are your boss and if this isn’t motivation enough for you then check out these other benefits:
Generation Z brings unique qualities to the freelance business, making them a perfect fit for freelancers and employers alike. Explore the 13 reasons why Generation Z is ideal for your freelance endeavors in our detailed post: 13 reasons Generation Z is perfect for your freelance business.
Conclusion
In conclusion, remember that when you’re freelance, you have to make sure you’re constantly doing work. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all this–it’s that freelancing doesn’t always mean freedom. It means working harder than ever before.
You need to be able to find the time and energy to do projects on your own or with people who share your passion for creating amazing pieces of art. So if anything can be taken away from this article–let it be knowing how much effort goes into being a successful freelancer.”
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further reading on freelancing:
Should Employees Freelance?: This blog post discusses the pros and cons of employees freelancing on the side and provides insights into how it can impact their professional lives.
What is Freelancing?: Discover the fundamentals of freelancing, including its definition, benefits, and different types of freelancing gigs, through this informative article.
Becoming a Freelancer is a Great Choice – Here’s Why: Explore the reasons why choosing a freelance career can be an excellent decision and learn about the advantages it offers in this blog post.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Freelancing A Full-Time Job?
Yes, it absolutely can be. It depends on your workload and how much you’re willing to hustle. Freelancing is a great way to supplement your income in addition to having a traditional job that provides benefits and stability.
But if you have the drive and the ambition, it can be a full-time gig with benefits and everything! You just have to be willing to work hard.
How Do I Get Started?
The first step is getting your name out there. Make sure all of your social media accounts are up-to-date and ready for business! Then start networking go to local meetups, find opportunities through sites like Upwork or Fiverr, and network with friends who also do freelance work.
This will help get you some traction so that when people need someone reliable for projects or design needs, they’ll think of you first!
What Kind Of Equipment Do I Need?
It depends on what kind of work you’re doing but generally speaking, it’s helpful if you have at least one computer with a fast internet connection and all the software necessary for whatever
I’m A Creative Type. Can I Make Money As A Freelancer?
Absolutely! You just have to be willing to take on a variety of projects and learn new skills, which means that you’ll need to put in the time and effort to get what you want out of your career. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it!
What If I’m Not Sure What Kind Of Work I Want To Do? Should I Still Try Freelancing?
Absolutely! Freelancing allows you to try lots of different types of work before settling on one specific niche. Not only will this help you figure out what kind of work makes sense for your personality and schedule, but it will also allow you the freedom to explore new areas without any long-term commitments or obligations from potential clients.
I am a content writer, and I love what I do! Writing makes me feel like the words are flowing through my fingers, and then onto the keyboard, like magic. My experience as a writer has taught me that writing makes me feel good, as well as helps others to feel better too!