Freelancing Is A Career, Not A Hustle, And Here's Why

The phrase ‘it’s not a hustle, it’s a career’ was coined by author and entrepreneur Sara Blakely, and it’s one of my favorite quotes. It describes the way that freelancing is changing from being a quick job to make some extra money on the side (a hustle) to an actual career that can be full-time and profitable.

So, if you’re like me and you have some lingering doubts about taking your freelancing work seriously you should know there are plenty of reasons why freelancing is becoming more than just a hobby. Here are 20 of them:

Highs & Lows of Freelancing (an honest update)

Takeaways
1. Freelancing offers a legitimate career path with ample opportunities.
2. Embrace freelancing with confidence and self-assurance for success.
3. The new generation of freelancers is reshaping the industry.
4. Adapt to the changing landscape, including the rise of AI in writing.
5. Remote work opens up new possibilities for freelancers.
6. Consider your skills and passion before choosing freelancing as a career.
7. Diversify your client base for stable income.
8. Build a strong portfolio and leverage networking to find clients.
9. Time management and self-discipline are crucial for freelancers.
10. Freelancing can be both fulfilling and financially rewarding.

Table of Contents

It’s Not A Fad

“Freelancing is not a fad. It’s not a hustle, and it’s definitely not a hobby.”

That’s the message from freelance workers across the country. In fact, freelancing is now one of the most popular ways to work in America. The number of independent workers has increased dramatically over the past few years to nearly 60 million people by some estimates!

But what does that mean for you? If you’re interested in becoming a freelancer yourself but aren’t sure where to start, here are some tips:

Building confidence as a freelancer is essential for long-term success. Our guide on How to Freelance with Confidence offers valuable tips to boost your self-assurance and thrive in the freelancing world.

You Make Enough To Live On

With your freelance career, you make enough money to live on. You are not dependent on your job for your livelihood. This means that if you want to take a day off or even two weeks in a row, you can do so without worrying about how it will affect the rest of your life.

If you get sick, there’s no reason why you should have to suffer through it at work because of limited PTO and no sick pay (especially if your boss isn’t sympathetic).

You can afford to pay for all the things that come with living independently your taxes and insurance premiums on top of saving for retirement and paying down debt.

Your Business Doesn’t Have To Be Multi-Faceted To Generate Profit

In some businesses, it’s necessary to have a multi-faceted approach, but in others, you can start small and grow your business over time.

The best way to make money as a freelancer is by building your reputation as someone who knows their craft well enough that they get hired over and over again by clients.

You don’t necessarily need to be an expert in every area of your industry, but if there are areas where you do want to specialize then work on those things first so you can become the go-to person for that niche.

You Have As Much Time As You Need To Get Things Done

If you’re freelancing, you have a lot of freedom in how much and when you work. That’s because, unlike in a traditional job where there are set work hours and days, freelancing allows you to do whatever works best for your schedule.

You can take breaks whenever the mood strikes (which is great if you’re trying to be productive) or focus on getting more done in less time (which is great if you’re trying to save some cash).

Because of this flexibility, it’s important that when working as a freelancer:

Set reasonable goals for yourself
Track your progress towards those goals using tools like Trello or Asana (or even just pen & paper)
Celebrate when reaching those milestones

The freelance landscape is evolving, and the rise of the new generation of freelancers is reshaping the industry. Discover more about this trend in our article on Freelance Gen: The New Generation of Freelancers and stay ahead in the competitive freelancing market.

You Can Take Sick Days And Not Feel Guilty About I

You can just say, “I’m sick!” and not worry about losing money. You don’t have to show up or work late or do extra work at home because your boss wants it done before the deadline arrives. And you also won’t feel like an unreliable employee if you tell them that you need some time off because of a serious illness in your family (or yourself!).

In other words, freelancing means that if something comes up outside of work hours a doctor visit for example takes precedence over anything else in life including other commitments like hanging out with friends or taking care of chores around the house on weekends (if this applies).

You Can Afford Your Taxes

Here’s the bad news: freelancing doesn’t make you rich. It can be a struggle to cover your taxes, health insurance, retirement savings, and even education. But the great thing about being a self-employed writer is that you’re in control of your finances. You can afford all these things yourself!

For example, let’s say you want to go back to school for an MBA (or whatever). As a freelancer, you’re paying 100% of your tuition costs instead of just 20% with student loans so there’s no need to worry about making payments later on down the line when it comes time for graduation day (or any other major expense).

Plus, if something goes wrong in your career path yep! It happens sometimes too! you won’t have someone else holding onto all those money problems while they wait for their next paycheck again either.

The same reasoning applies when it comes down to taxes as well: because we’re our own boss/employer/etc., we don’t have anyone taking away portions each month before they get deposited into our checking account or bank account; therefore putting more dollars back into our pocket (and not theirs).

You’re Not Stuck Working On A Single Thing All Day, Every Day

The other day, my friend told me that they were considering getting a real job. I asked them why, and they said because they didn’t like how freelancing limited their ability to work on one thing at a time.

They said it was hard for them to focus on their work because they could only work on one thing at a time.

This is not true. Most freelancers can simultaneously work on multiple projects and switch between those projects whenever necessary (or desired). This flexibility allows for breaks and helps prevent burnout by allowing you to take a step back from your work now and then before coming back to it refreshed later with fresh eyes.

Freelancing isn’t limited to tech experts; hobbyist developers can also find success in this realm. Explore our insights on Freelance for Hobbyist Developers to learn how you can turn your passion into a rewarding freelance career.

Your Productivity Is In Direct Proportion To Your Income

The less money you make, the more time you have to work.

This is just basic math. If it takes three hours for you to make $100 on the side, then each hour of your day is worth $33.33 in cash terms.

If it takes only one hour for you to make $1,000 working at a full-time job instead of freelancing as a side hustle, then each minute of your day is worth $62.50 in cash terms (the extra $62 being your pre-tax wage).

In other words: if someone else can do what they need to be done without needing an individual’s hands-on-deck all day long and especially when multiple people could be doing said task(s) then that person should be able to command at least six figures per year as long as their skills and knowledge are up to snuff (and often even if they’re not).

It’s Like A Marathon, Not A Sprint

When you freelance, you don’t have to worry about someone telling you what to do every day. You can set your own pace. If there are days when you’re feeling tired or not in the mood for work, it’s okay! Take a break and come back later with a fresh mind.

When freelancing, mistakes aren’t the end of the world. If something goes wrong on a project or if clients are not happy with how things turned out (and sometimes they won’t be), that’s okay too!

You didn’t lose any money by making these mistakes because they were all just part of your learning process and besides that, no one else knows but your client(s). And even if they do know, so what? It happens! No one’s perfect at everything right off the bat; everyone needs some time and practice before getting good at something new

There’s No Drama Attached To Your Workday, Except Maybe The Kind You Create For Yourself

If you’ve ever had an office job, then you’re probably familiar with the following: Office politics and gossip are common; drama is everywhere; people walk around with long faces because “today’s just not a good day to be alive” (or something like that).

But freelancing isn’t like that at all. You and your coworkers are likely very different people working toward different goals and in different environments.

The only way you’ll have a real conflict with them is if they’re literally stealing your clients or otherwise trying to sabotage your success as a freelancer and even then, it’s unlikely they’d succeed.

Since most clients are smart enough not to hire someone who has an existing relationship with another company/personality in their industry (unless they need something specific).

The advent of AI is transforming the writing landscape, and freelancers must adapt to thrive. Check out our article on How Freelance Writers Must Adapt to Survive the AI Writing Apocalypse to stay relevant and competitive in the AI-driven world of content creation.

You’re Not Working For Someone Who Thinks They Know More Than You Do About Your Job

When you’re working as a freelancer, it’s not just a job. You get to choose how much effort you want to put into something and when. If there’s something you don’t like doing, then that’s fine just find someone else who does!

Working for yourself means that if the day gets rough, there’s nobody else around to blame. That can be scary at first (especially when everyone around us is expecting us to succeed), but I promise this fear will fade once your career gets off the ground.

You Have Unlimited Options In Terms Of Work And Freedom And Independence…!

You have unlimited options in terms of work and freedom and independence. You can work from anywhere, for yourself or others, on projects that interest you or even just for one project if you’re so inclined! You can choose your clients, set your rate (or take what they offer), and decide how much time each client gets from you every week.

If it sounds like freelancing is a dream come true for an introvert like me who loves her alone time at home well, that might be because it is. But let me tell you: freelancing has its challenges too.

It takes hard work to succeed as a freelancer; anyone who says otherwise is selling something (and probably not something useful). But if the thought of working independently appeals to you even just slightly more than it scares the pants off of you, then here are 20 reasons why I believe freelancers should love their jobs…

There Are No Stupid Meetings That Eat Up Your Whole Morning And Make You Cranky The Rest Of The Day

Meetings are a waste of time. They get scheduled because someone thinks they need to be there, and then they go on for an hour or two longer than necessary because no one wants to cut them short. It’s frustrating, especially if you’re working remotely and can’t escape the meeting room when it’s over.

But don’t despair! There’s a silver lining in this cloud of meetings: freelancing means that you never have to sit through another stupid meeting again! You won’t find yourself wasting an hour every week listening to someone talk about their vacation (or lack thereof) for the tenth time this year, which is what all meetings seem like anymore.

If you’re lucky enough not to be stuck at a big company where everyone else has meetings on their calendars too, then congratulations: no one will have anything else planned that day except maybe lunch with some friends from college!

There’s No Such Thing As A Wasted Hour When You’re Freelancing

Freelancers don’t need an office. They don’t have to work a specific number of hours in person, nor do they have to fill out the same paperwork or clock out at a set time each day. Instead, freelancers can take advantage of their freedom and flexibility by working from home or in coffee shops and even while relaxing on a beach somewhere warm!

The beauty of freelancing is that it allows you to get paid for your time as opposed to being paid based on how many hours you put in at the office. With no commute or having to worry about sick days, life can be so much simpler when you’re a freelancer!

Embracing remote work is a significant aspect of freelancing, and it opens up new opportunities for freelancers. Discover how you can successfully freelance on the phone in our guide, You Can Freelance on the Phone: How I Work Remotely with Clients and Still Earn, and take your freelancing career to new heights.

Conclusion

When you say “freelancing is a career, not a hustle,” then you’re saying that you accept the fact that you have limits and boundaries. You’re saying that it’s okay to be tired and to need some time off.

You’re saying that if you don’t feel like working right now, then you don’t have to. That’s what a career — not just a job — can offer anyone: the freedom of knowing they can stop at any time they want but will always come back because they love doing what they do.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Freelancing?

Freelancing is a career, not a hustle. It’s about doing what you love and getting paid for it.

How Can I Start Freelancing?

You can start by telling your friends and family that you’re going to be a freelancer, and then doing it! If you need help or have questions, just reach out to us here at [company name]. We’re here to help.

Why Should I Freelance?

There are many reasons why you should consider freelancing as a career, not just a hustle. First, you can make your schedule. You don’t have to ask permission from anyone and you don’t have to deal with annoying coworkers who always want to talk about their feelings all day long. Second, no boss is looking over your shoulder telling you what to do every single minute of the day (unless your client is really weird).

Third, if you’re good at what you do, then this could be a great way for you to make money while also pursuing other things in life like sports or art classes! Finally, there are no benefits involved so if something goes wrong (like an injury), then there’s no insurance company paying out on behalf of their employee (you).

What Do I Need To Be Successful At Freelancing?

You need the right mindset and some basic skills. To succeed as a freelancer, you must be able to set goals for yourself and stay motivated through challenges and setbacks. You’ll also need to know how to market yourself and get clients on board with what you’re offering them.

How Do I Learn These Skills?

One of the best ways to learn these skills is by taking online courses. You’ll meet other people who are also learning new things, plus there are instructors who can help guide your progress along the way!

What Kind Of Courses Should I Take?

There are a lot of different types of courses available online the most popular ones include: coding classes (like HTML), marketing classes (like SEO), UX design courses (like UX Academy), freelancing courses (like Skillcrush), website building courses (like Codecademy), and even music production

Costantine Edward

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.

Freelancing Is A Career, Not A Hustle, And Here’s Why