Freelancing: Not The 'Future Of Work' The Present

If you’re reading this blog post, you’re probably no stranger to Internet-speak. You know to “Netflix and chill” when you want to hang out with your crush, and you’ve likely watched many a YouTube video that went viral.

If the above statement is true for you and other millennials like yourself, then chances are that at some point during or after college, it occurred to you that freelancing is the future of work.

You might have even considered making the leap and becoming a full-time freelancer yourself. But did you know freelancing isn’t just the future of work? It’s already here!

In today’s blog post we’ll explore what kind of work freelancers do daily, as well as how they manage their time, money, and clients so they can be successful at what they do.

The freelance economy is the future of work – YouTube

Takeaways
Freelancing is not just a future trend but a present reality in the world of work.
It offers opportunities for individuals to pursue flexible careers and gain autonomy over their work.
Freelancers can enjoy the benefits of a varied project portfolio and the ability to work on their own terms.
The gig economy and technological advancements have contributed to the rise of freelancing as a viable career option.
Freelancers should be prepared to face challenges such as inconsistent income and the need for self-discipline and business management skills.
The present landscape of work is evolving, and freelancing is playing a significant role in shaping it.

Table of Contents

Freelancing Is Not The Future Of Work. It’s The Present In America, At Least

Freelancers make up a growing portion of the American workforce; according to a study by McKinsey, there are 53 million Americans freelancing today.

Freelancers aren’t just millennials; they’re also baby boomers and Gen Xers, who have chosen to pursue freelance work instead of traditional full-time jobs (or in addition to those jobs).

And while some people do use freelancing as a side hustle on top of their full-time job, others have come to depend on it for financial stability and independence.

The future of work is rapidly evolving, and freelancing is at the forefront of this transformation. Discover how freelancing is changing the way we work in our comprehensive guide on The Job of Tomorrow: How Freelancing Is Changing Work.

A Career Path To Consider?

There are lots of different kinds of freelancers.

Freelancers can be independent contractors, consultants, temporary workers, or part-time employees.

They’re self-employed and paid by the hour or day (and sometimes even by project). These are some of the most common ways freelancers get paid:

Hourly: Freelancers who work on an hourly basis will be paid for every hour they spend working on a project.

This is often the best option for highly skilled professionals who have experience in their field because it allows them to control how much money they make on each project making it important that you charge enough to cover your costs as a business owner.

If you’re still learning how to do your job well, charging by the hour can also help ensure that you don’t go over budget… which would mean losing money!

Day rate: A day rate is what we call it when you’re being billed per day rather than per hour… usually between $300-$500 per day depending on where in North America this type of pricing falls within industry standards at any given moment (right now).

This method works great if clients need someone with more specialized skills than those possessed by most hourly workers but don’t want/can’t afford an entire team dedicated solely to their needs full time (which would cost twice as much!).

Freelancing Offers Flexibility And Choice Over How You Work And When

Freelancing offers flexibility and choice over how you work and when. This means that you can:

Work from home, or anywhere else in the world that has internet access.

Choose your work hours (as long as you get your work done).

Choose your clients. If a client is giving you a hard time, find another one! There are thousands of them out there who might love to hire you!

It’s not all sunshine and roses though; freelancing isn’t perfect. Freelancers have no stability or benefits like health insurance or paid vacation days but if those things aren’t important to you right now then it may be worth considering anyway!

Are you curious about the future of work? Look no further! Our article on The Future of Work Is Here, and Freelancing Leads the Pack explores how freelancing is shaping the way we approach employment and offers valuable insights into the changing landscape.

It Also Has Drawbacks, Such As a Lack Of Job Security And Benefits (Vacation Days, Health Insurance)

There are many benefits to freelancing. The freedom of working whenever and wherever you choose can be a huge draw for many people.

But it also has drawbacks, such as a lack of job security and benefits (vacation days, health insurance).

No job security: While some companies will hire on a full-time basis without benefits, freelancing can mean that you’re at the mercy of your client’s schedules.

If they don’t need your services anymore or if there’s a decline in their business model or company goals because of something like an economic downturn, then they might not be able to pay you anymore.

This puts both parties at risk with no safety net.

No health insurance: Health insurance costs hundreds per month even with employer contributions towards premiums and that doesn’t include dental plans or vision care coverage!

When self-employed workers don’t have their coverage through traditional means such as COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act), they’re forced into buying expensive plans under Obamacare or risk going without altogether.

Many freelancers choose between these two options since neither option is ideal but one choice may lead them closer than the other to financial stability;

However, this decision also depends on factors such as age/health status/location etcetera which could make one choice more favorable over another depending on each situation.”

The Current Surge In Freelance Jobs Is Not A Fad, But A Product Of Advances In Technology And Communication

The rise of freelancing is not a fad. It’s a product of technological advances that have made it easier and more efficient to work remotely, as well as the emergence of new communication tools like Slack and Skype.

The gig economy has exploded in recent years, largely because people are now able to find clients online through sites like Upwork or Fiverr, rather than having to go door-to-door looking for work.

In the ‘gig economy,’ you’re not just a worker for a company or individual. You’re an independent contractor or business owner.

As a freelancer, you’re no longer just an employee working for a company. You’re also an independent contractor or business owner.

That means that not only are you responsible for your taxes and finances but you also have to be self-motivated to get work done on schedule.

This can be difficult if your motivation doesn’t extend beyond the confines of a traditional workplace (where someone else does most of the thinking for you).

You’ll need the discipline to succeed as a freelancer especially when it comes time to turn down work or choose how much effort to put into each client’s project.

It’s important that your clients feel like they’re getting their money’s worth from every single hour spent with them otherwise, they’ll stop hiring you!

Freelance Workers Often Need To Wear Many Hats They Might Be An Accountant, Marketer, And Managers, Among Other Roles

The ability to juggle different tasks and stay organized is important for success.

“The best freelancers are also entrepreneurs,” Cynthia says. “A lot of my clients are self-taught because they have been doing this for so long.”

To succeed in this field, you’ll need strong communication skills, since much of your work will be done remotely over the internet or phone.

You’ll also need good time management skills and self-motivation; if you don’t have those two things going for you already then it’s time to get busy developing them!

The most successful freelancers have a solid understanding of business basics, such as taxes, marketing, and finance. They also have an entrepreneurial spirit

Seeking location independence? Discover the ultimate checklist for freelancers who want to find work anywhere in the world (almost). Check out our guide on The Freelancer’s Checklist: Find Work Anywhere in the World (Almost) to unlock the secrets of global freelancing.

As A Freelance Writer, I Know The Importance Of Understanding Business Basics. This Includes Things Like Taxes, Marketing, And Finance

You might be surprised to hear that many successful freelancers don’t have a degree in business or management.

However, they still understand the basics of running a business: they know how much money they’re making and spending every month;

They understand how to market themselves; they can tell you what their bookkeeping process looks like; they understand basic accounting principles (like GAAP); and so on.

Are you dreaming of a six-figure income as a freelancer? Our guide on How Freelancers Like Me Make Six Figures reveals practical strategies, tips, and insights from successful freelancers who have achieved impressive financial success.

Being Your Boss Can Be Difficult Because You Have To Motivate Yourself While Managing Multiple Projects And Clients At Once. Time Management Skills Are Key!

You have to be self-motivated, disciplined, and able to manage your time effectively. It’s also important that you can multitask, prioritize tasks and focus on what matters for each project or client.

Successful freelancers need to have strong communication skills to help them negotiate with clients on project requirements and prices.

They also need to be self-motivated and disciplined since they don’t have someone looking over their shoulders all day saying “when will this be done?”

To be successful as an independent worker, you need to have strong communication skills. Your clients will expect a lot from you if they don’t get what they want.

Then there’s a good chance that your project won’t be successful.

You also need to be self-motivated and disciplined since you’re responsible for everything in your business including your deadlines, rates, and priorities.

Finally, freelancers must set their rates because working for someone else can lead to burnout (that’s why companies give employees bonuses).

It’s important to remember that while being self-employed has many benefits such as flexible schedules or getting paid in cash instead of getting taxed by the government;

However, those same benefits come with risks too like losing all of your money through frivolous expenses or having no one looking over your shoulder saying “when will this be done?”

Is freelancing a viable career option? Find out in our article on Freelancing: Is It a Career or Just a Part-Time Hobby? We delve into the pros and cons, challenges, and rewards of pursuing freelancing as a full-time career.

Conclusion

All that being said, we’re not saying you should go straight into freelancing if the opportunity presents itself.

It can be a great lifestyle for people who like to take on big challenges and are motivated by flexibility and autonomy over where they work or when they want to start their own business.

But, as with any career change, make sure you do your research before leaping, so that way there won’t be any surprises down the road!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Freelancing?

It’s a way to make money by selling your skills and expertise to other businesses or individuals. It can be done through a platform like Upwork or Fiverr, or you can simply find clients on your own.

You can do it part-time, full-time, or in between jobs. If you want to learn more about what freelancing is all about, check out our comprehensive guide here!

How Does Upwork Work?

Signing up for Upwork is easy! After signing up for an account, you’ll be able to post jobs and browse existing jobs.

We have an intuitive search tool that allows you to filter results by location or keyword so that you can find exactly what you’re looking for easily and quickly.

When applying for a job posting on Upwork, we suggest giving the client as much information as possible so that they can get a good idea of what kind of work you do and why they should hire you.

How Do I Become A Freelancer?

There are a lot of ways to start freelancing. You can find a job posting from someone looking for help on [service name], or you can post your profile and wait for people to contact you.

To get started, all you need is some basic skills like writing or photography and an internet connection!

How Much Money Can I Make?

That depends on what kind of project you’re working on and how much time it takes to complete it.

You can also set prices yourself and charge more if it’s something that requires special skills or experience. The most important thing is making sure that whatever work you do is worth what the client pays for it!

Why Should I Become A Freelancer?

There are many reasons why you should consider becoming a freelancer! Here are just a few:

You’ll make more money than if you had a regular job because you won’t have any taxes deducted from your paycheck.
You can choose what kind of work you want to do based on your interests and skills, so you’ll never get bored with your job again!

You’ll gain valuable experience working with different clients and learning new things about how businesses operate, which can help when looking for full-time employment later down the road.

How Much Money Do People Make As Freelancers?

The amount you make from freelancing will depend on how much you charge per hour and what kinds of jobs you take on.

Some freelancers make hundreds of dollars/hour, while others make less than $10/hour. Why do some people get paid more than others?

Mostly because they have more experience and know-how to price their work correctly.

Is It Hard To Find Clients As A Freelancer?

Not at all! Most freelancers have multiple clients at any given time.

There are lots of websites out there that connect freelance workers with clients looking for help with various projects (like Upwork).

If you don’t want to use websites that match workers up with projects directly (like Fiverr).

Then there are also plenty of ways that freelancers can market themselves so that potential customers know who they are and what services they offer (like LinkedIn).

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: Not The ‘Future Of Work’ The Present