Freelancing can be an amazing way to make a living. You get to stay home, build your own schedule, and work from anywhere in the world. That being said, it’s also not for everyone.
It requires a lot of responsibility and often a lot of hard work before you start seeing any sort of financial rewards. Because so many people are drawn to the idea of freelancing, more and more people are entering this growing field.
This has led to a lot more competition amongst freelancers who have similar talents (such as graphic design or writing). In this article, we will talk about what changed and what hasn’t changed.
What’s Changed?
So, what have we learned?
The job market has changed. It’s no longer just about your location and being in the right place at the right time to get a job or contract. Nowadays you can find clients anywhere, so location doesn’t matter as much as it used to.
Additionally, more competition is available for freelance work than ever before and technological advances make it easier for businesses to connect with potential workers from anywhere in the world (especially if your skills are in high demand).
There are lots of opportunities out there for freelancers even if you’re not willing or able to relocate completely!
The costs associated with doing business have also changed significantly over time due largely because technology having made many services more affordable than ever before and some even free (including email!).
Customers expect better service than they used to which means companies must invest more money into their customers’ satisfaction if they want repeat business, but thanks again at least partly due partially thanks partially due primarily mostly. Here are what has changed!
The Job Market
The job market has changed. The most obvious difference is that it’s a lot more competitive than it was twenty years ago. In the 1990s, you could apply for any job you were qualified for and expect to get an interview; today, though, there are often hundreds of applicants (and sometimes even thousands) vying for each position.
That’s why it’s important to showcase your skills in the best possible light: make sure your resume looks good; update it regularly, and take advantage of social media tools like LinkedIn or Twitter that connect employers with potential employees.
You can also apply directly through job postings on sites like Indeed or Monster you’ll have to pay a fee but may be rewarded with faster results than if you use traditional channels like newspapers and local flyers.
As well as being more competitive than ever before, today’s workforce is also more global: Americans looking abroad may find better opportunities in other countries where salaries are higher or tax rates are lower (or both).
And because so many people now work remotely for example from home via an online platform such as Upwork a new kind of nomadism has developed among those who don’t want their location limited by factors such as geography or family obligations
The Costs Of Doing Business
In almost every way, the costs of doing business have gone down. The cost of living is lower, thanks to the lowering of costs of food and housing. There are fewer taxes, and health insurance is cheaper. Marketing is simpler with social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter that allow you to reach more people than ever before at a fraction of the cost.
Hiring can be done remotely; training costs are lower because it’s easier for your employees to learn on their own time from free online resources. Office space is cheaper too you don’t need a physical office just because you’re freelancing anymore.
Technology has become much more affordable as well: there are plenty of great web hosting options out there with reasonable prices, not only for the initial setup but also when it comes time to renew your contract or switch providers in case something goes wrong with one service provider (and trust me something will go wrong).
Supplies such as printers and scanners have never been cheaper either; plus they’re easy enough now that anyone can use them in their spare time.
Finally, insurance rates are generally lower than ever before due partly because health care reform laws passed under President Obama reduced premiums across all industries including insurance companies.”
Expectations About Customer Service
I’ve met a lot of freelancers over the years and the most common complaint I hear is that customers don’t understand what we do. This comes as no surprise given how much has changed in just a few short years.
People are still getting used to the idea of working with an independent, self-employed person rather than going through a company to get their work done. On top of all this, customers now expect to be treated well and they know if they aren’t being treated well!
They expect to be able to contact someone when something goes wrong (or right). They expect help quickly and answers when they have questions or concerns about your work product.
So how do you keep up with these changing expectations?. The most important thing is to communicate openly with your clients and make sure they understand that you’re working hard on their behalf!
More Competition
The competition for freelance work is greater than ever. As I mentioned in the last section, there are more freelancers than ever before. People who used to be content with a steady paycheck and benefits now have more options.
And those options don’t just include choosing whether or not they want to work at all they also include choosing what kind of work they do, when they do it, and where they do it.
More people are getting educated: In 2015 alone, there were 1 million more students enrolled in higher education institutions than just five years earlier (according to Forbes).
More people are starting businesses: According to Inc., when the recession hit in 2008, over 6 million businesses closed down while only 2 million opened up.
Since then though, business ownership has rebounded significantly due to lower startup costs and easier access to capital via online funding platforms like Kickstarter (which raised $1 billion from 825k backers between 2009-2017).
More people are starting jobs: The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2024 there will be 17 million new openings for full-time workers every year due to retirements or other causes
Your Location Doesn’t Matter Anymore
A century ago, if you wanted to make a living as a writer, you had to be in New York. If you wanted to be an actor, it was Los Angeles or Chicago; if you wanted to work in advertising, it was New York again.
In some professions like law and medicine, your geographic location mattered less because there were so many people in any given city who could provide the same services.
There are still certain industries whose practitioners tend toward the old way of doing things: fashion designers working for big-name labels like Chanel or Dior don’t have much choice about where they live (although their work is still done from afar).
But most freelance workers these days can choose where they want to live and whether they want an office with a door on it or not. As long as there’s a fast internet connection and power outlets, freelancers can work wherever they are
More Networking Opportunities Exist For Freelancers
You’re not alone in your need to network. In the past, many freelancers would only occasionally join a networking group or meetup. Nowadays, however, it’s more likely that you’ll attend a variety of events and take advantage of online opportunities.
There are even more resources available now than ever before:
- Online professional communities like freelance writing forums are far more popular than they used to be.
- More companies sponsor events so that freelancers can learn about their latest products or services.
- Social media sites like LinkedIn make it easier for people who work remotely (including many freelancers) to connect with others in similar fields and build relationships online before ever meeting face-to-face which leads us nicely into our next topic.
The Stigma Of Freelancing Is Disappearing
As freelancing has grown in popularity and acceptance, the stigma associated with it has diminished. Today, freelancing is a legitimate career option for educated talent that makes sense for many people.
Freelancers have more opportunities to work with companies, more autonomy over their own time and work schedules, and the freedom to choose projects based on what they care about most.
It’s no longer necessary to stick with one job as an employee; you can be your boss while building up your client base independently. It’s no wonder then that so many millennials are choosing this lifestyle.
According to the Freelancers Union 2016 survey of independent workers (PDF), 34% of 18-34-year-olds say they prefer working independently over being part of a traditional company structure which means roughly 1 out of every 3 millennials would rather freelance than take on a full-time role at an established company.
Freelancing Is A Legitimate Career Option For Educated Talent
While it’s true that you can get started as a freelancer without a degree, having an advanced degree or specialized certifications will make you more competitive in the market. You’ll also be able to command higher rates from clients who place value on your skillset and experience.
When you’re starting, though, one of the best things about freelancing is that you don’t need much overhead to begin working on your projects: all it takes is some basic equipment (which might even be borrowed) and a little bit of space to work from home or at coffee shops until you’ve built up enough savings to purchase an office space of your own.
Technology Offers Many Automated Solutions For Repetitive Tasks
What has changed is that technology has made many repetitive tasks easier. If you are a freelancer, automation can help make your life easier and more profitable. For example, if you want to learn how to use an app to automate social media marketing, there are some resources available online that will teach you how.
There are also many apps available through the Apple Store or Google Play Store that can help with other types of tasks such as invoicing and accounting, which means less time spent doing them manually when there are automated solutions available for free or at low cost!
What Hasn’t?
Though you may have more control over your work, and the client relationship is mostly one-way, you still can’t expect to be in charge of every aspect of your business. Here are what hasn’t changed!
A Growing Need For Freelancers And Contractors
There is a huge need for freelancers and contractors in all fields, industries, countries, and cities. The number of freelancers and contractors has been steadily growing every year since 2008. According to the Freelancers Union and Upwork Index:
- The U.S. has more than 55 million independent workers (up from 21 million in 2005).
- There are 30 million freelancers over age 50 reporting higher incomes than they did when they were employed full-time by someone else; this number will grow to 36 million by 2030.
The Benefits Vs. Drawbacks Debate
People who want to freelance often talk about the benefits of working for themselves. Freelancing offers flexibility, control over one’s schedule and workload, and the ability to work from home. However, there are also drawbacks.
Freelancers can’t count on a regular paycheck; they have less job security than people employed in traditional positions; they have more responsibility for their health insurance and retirement savings plans; they need to be able to market themselves effectively to drum up business (and this is especially difficult if you’re an introvert).
The Lifestyle Of A Freelancer/Contractor
You can work from anywhere with internet access. You can set your hours and decide when to work, whether it’s during the day or late at night. You can even take a break for lunch if that’s what you want!
Since you’re your boss, there are no mandatory meetings or deadlines to meet; however, if you choose to work with other freelancers/contractors who may be on different schedules than yours, then this might not be true for them.
It all depends on how much work needs to be done when (or where) and by whom it needs to be done and whether or not they have time constraints preventing them from working faster without sacrificing the quality of service provided through freelancing services companies like Upwork which has been around since 2000.
Helping freelance writers earn more money while making sure writers keep their reputation high by only accepting jobs they know they’ll deliver well-written content within the deadline timespan provided by clients’ requests.
Made through their websites’ order forms after having read reviews left behind by previous satisfied customers who’ve worked with them before hiring someone new off-contract basis is another way some businesses try keeping things running smoothly.”
The Upward Trend In Freelancing
When you think about this trend, the most common ideas that come to mind are probably freelancers working from home on their schedules. But while that’s certainly one way to work as a freelancer, it’s not the only one.
Another way to think about this trend is by looking at how businesses are increasing their use of freelancers to meet their needs and save money.
This includes companies that might have previously hired full-time employees but now contract out for part-time or project-based work instead of paying for someone’s salary every month when they aren’t using them full time.
Companies aren’t just saving money; they’re also getting access to some great talent. A lot of people who were previously stuck in jobs they don’t like have found a way out thanks to freelance opportunities that let them work remotely and set their schedules and those who haven’t yet been able to find those opportunities may be able soon!
Clients Can Still Be Fickle
In the past, there was a belief that clients were more loyal and trustworthy. This is simply not true anymore.
Clients can be fickle some are more demanding than others, and all have different expectations from freelancers. Some of them have unrealistic expectations, while others will request changes or refunds at any given moment and without warning.
If you’re working with several people on your team, this can cause problems if there’s no communication in place before starting work or if you don’t have clear guidelines for what should be done first and how long it will take to complete each task.
You may also need to deal with clients who suddenly want something new out of their project after it’s already been completed or paid for by another client: they might want more revisions than originally agreed upon
Also, they could ask for a refund under pretenses; or they could ask for changes to the scope of work that weren’t discussed before starting work together (i.e., “I don’t like this font.”)
The Personal Touch Matters Most In The Long Run
There are many ways you can provide your clients with a “personal” service. The most obvious way is to simply interact with them more often, but it’s also about giving them a glimpse into your life outside of work and showing that you care about more than just their business relationship.
If you’re doing a great job for them (and working hard), they’ll want to keep coming back for more because they know that when they have questions or concerns, they won’t be met with indifference from someone who doesn’t care about their success as much as they do.
Some freelancers offer additional services like mentoring or even private coaching sessions where clients pay extra money to get one-on-one attention on specific issues related to their business needs (such as marketing).
These types of relationships help build trust between both parties involved and make sure that everyone’s priorities are aligned which means there will be less conflict down the road if things go wrong somewhere along the line!
You Have To Have A Talent People Will Pay For
Being a freelancer means you’re not a traditional employee you’re in business for yourself. This means you need to be able to market your talent or skill and sell it to potential clients. And as any entrepreneur will tell you, many skills go into effective marketing and salesmanship:
- You need to be able to identify what kind of client would be interested in what kind of work you do.
- You need to know how much money they make so that when they say they’ll pay $100 per hour, you can give them an estimate of how many hours will be required (and whether those hours fit within their budget).
- You need out-of-the-box thinking so that your proposal doesn’t sound like every other proposal out there.
Final Thoughts
Freelancing has changed quite a bit, but freelancers have stayed the same. We’re still the people you call when you need something done. We’re the ones who will get it done for you, on time and budget. But these days…we’re just more accessible than ever before.
People Also Ask
Is This A Scam?
No, we are not a scam. We are here to help you get started as a freelancer. We have seen the rise in freelancing, and we want you to be aware of the perks and pitfalls before you dive in headfirst.
What Do I Need To Know Before I Start Freelancing?
You need to know how much you will make, what type of clients you will work with, and how much time it will take up in your life. You also need to know what type of skills you have that can be used for freelancing purposes.
It’s important to know these things so that when someone asks “are there any questions?” you can say yes!
Why Should I Become A Freelancer?
There are several reasons why you should consider becoming a freelancer. For one thing, it allows you to work on your schedule. You can choose when you want to work and how long, which can be great if you’re looking for more flexibility or want to be able to spend time with family and friends without taking away from your income.
You’ll also have the opportunity to take on multiple projects at once, which means that you don’t need to limit yourself to just one job at any given time.
Another perk of being a freelancer is that you’ll have more control over what kind of work you take on and what kind of clients you choose to work with.
If there’s something about a particular client or project that makes you uncomfortable (for example, if they ask for too much information about your personal life), then it’s up to YOU whether or not you want to accept the gig in question.
What Are The Benefits Of Being A Freelancer?
For one thing, it’s a great way to make money without having to commit to one job for 40 hours a week.
You can work as much or as little as you want and set your hours. Freelance work also gives you flexibility in how you do your work: if you’re not feeling creative one day, you don’t have to force yourself; instead, you can take that time off and spend it doing something else (like watching Netflix!).
Finally, if you’re working from home, freelance projects can help free up space in your apartment or house that would otherwise be taken up by equipment like computers or printers.
What Are The Top Three Things You Wish You’d Known When You Started Freelancing?
The first is that it’s important to set aside some time for yourself, to take care of your mental health. The second is that you don’t have to do everything yourself you can hire help. And finally, it’s not always easy to find clients, but the more you put yourself out there and try new things, the more likely you’ll be able to find work that suits you well.
What Tips Would You Give Someone Who’s Considering Becoming A Freelancer?
If you’re thinking about freelancing, I would recommend doing research on different types of freelance work and finding out what type suits your personality best.
Also, try out some different platforms or apps where people can find freelancers (I use Upwork). Finally, make sure you have enough savings so that if the business doesn’t work out right away, at least you won’t go broke!
How Is Freelancing Today Different Than What It Was Like In The Past?
Freelancing has always been a part of our economy, but it’s become a much more significant part of the workforce in the last few decades. In the early 2000s, the number of freelancers was around 10% and now it’s up to roughly 35%.
The main difference between then and now is that there are more opportunities for people to work remotely on their terms. Freelancers can help organizations with anything from graphic design to programming to writing whatever they’re good at without having to relocate or commute every day.
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.