I’ve been freelancing for the last five years, and to this day it’s still the best job I’ve ever had. But I’m not alone… the freelance workforce is changing fast, with 50% of workers projected to be freelancers by 2027.
That means more people will get to experience the joys of waking up at 11:30 am on a Tuesday and drinking coffee in their pajamas for an hour before starting work.
It also means that there are going to be more opportunities for exciting projects, higher pay, and greater flexibility than ever before. Now let’s explore why all these changes are happening!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Freelance work is reshaping traditional work structures. |
| 2. The gig economy offers new opportunities for freelancers. |
| 3. Businesses can access a broader talent pool through freelancers. |
| 4. Flexibility in work arrangements benefits both employers and freelancers. |
| 5. Freelancing enables remote work and better work-life balance. |
Working From Anywhere At Anytime
One of the biggest benefits of remote work is that you can work from anywhere, any time. You no longer need to be chained to your desk or office and can take advantage of all the other distractions available in life.
Sure, you may have a home office where you do most of your work, but where do you go if there is an emergency? Or if it’s raining outside? Or if a friend wants to go out for coffee or lunch? The possibilities are endless!
The best part about this flexibility is that it doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or productivity. When working remotely, I’ve found that my hours increase because I’m not spending as much time commuting between locations (and therefore wasting gas). This means more time focusing on what matters most: getting my tasks done!
Building a successful freelance career requires confidence and perseverance. Check out our guide on how to freelance with confidence to discover valuable tips and techniques for thriving in the freelance world.
Companies Are Hiring More Independent Talent
Lack of talent: Companies are hiring more independent talent due to a lack of available employees. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that in 2020, there will be roughly 10 million job openings for jobs requiring post-secondary education but only 7 million people with the required credentials to fill them.
So even though you may have all the skills and experience necessary for an open role at a company, it’s still likely that they’ll need someone who can do what you do only cheaper, faster, and better than you can because the world is moving so fast these days that companies need freelancers who are just as good or better than full-time employees but don’t cost nearly as much money.
New skills: In addition to being able to perform core tasks efficiently and effectively (which is what most companies want), today’s businesses want their workers even if they’re not full-time employees to possess qualities like creativity, agility, and collaboration amongst others that help drive innovation within organizations.
like no other type of employee can bring about on their own accord without having been trained beforehand at college level institutions such as Harvard Business School or Stanford University where many top executives got their MBA degrees after graduating college which often takes approximately two years depending upon how many classes one takes each semester during those two years before applying
Job Satisfaction Will Improve
When you work for yourself, the only person holding you back is YOU. You can work on what you want to work on and when it’s most convenient for YOU.
You can set your schedule no more waking up at 7:30 am every day or returning from a conference call at 10 pm. You can reserve your evenings off and weekends for personal time (or not). If your boss doesn’t like it, they’re going to have to talk with YOUR employer: YOU!
And if that’s not enough freedom, there are also no bosses just coworkers with whom you might have an easier time getting along because they’re working in their own business too.”
The freelance industry has seen significant changes over the past decade. To understand the evolution and its impact, explore our article on how freelancing has changed in the past 10 years and gain insights into this dynamic landscape.
Workers Will Be Less Likely To Burnout
You’re not alone when it comes to feeling burned out at work. A survey by the Freelancers Union found that 46% of U.S. workers experience burnout, while a British study reported that over half of workers are unhappy with their jobs and the majority feel disengaged from their work.
Many workplaces encourage employees to go above and beyond to get ahead but this can often lead to burnout and other negative effects on employee health and well-being.
When you’re working for yourself, however, there isn’t this same pressure to put in extra hours or meet unrealistic expectations (and if there is, it’s your choice if you want to take on those projects).
Allowing yourself time off can help prevent burnout and since freelancing allows more flexibility than traditional employment roles do, you won’t have an office job making demands on your personal life either!
Flexible Hours
You can work whenever you want. This can be a huge advantage for those who are not able to work full-time and need the flexibility to balance the demands of their personal lives. For example, if you have kids and a partner who takes care of them during the day, then freelancing with flexible hours means that when they go down for nap time or bedtime, so do you!
Or if your partner works 9-5 Monday through Friday at an office that is halfway across town from where you live (or further away), then being able to set your schedule gives both of them more freedom without sacrificing either one’s career goals.
The same applies if someone has health problems that require frequent doctor’s appointments or if they care for a family member who relies on them too often during non-traditional hours such as nights and weekends.
Having control over when they get up each day gives these people more flexibility in their schedules so they aren’t forced into situations where they would otherwise have no choice but to miss important commitments due solely to external forces beyond their control.
Embracing a freelance career as a Gen Z individual can be a game-changer. Learn more about how this new generation of freelancers is making an impact in our article on Freelance Gen: The New Generation of Freelancers.
Freelancers Can Avoid Office Politics
You might be wondering how to avoid office politics when you’re working from home. Well, the answer is simple: don’t have an office! Office politics are best avoided by working from home, where there’s no one around to play them with.
With no coworkers to worry about and no bosses breathing down your neck (unless it’s your wife), freelancers have more time than ever to focus on their projects. No need for small talk with colleagues or keeping up with office gossip all you have to do is get things done and make money doing it!
Networking Is Easier Than Ever Before
If you’re looking for work, there’s no need to panic. You can find a job without leaving your couch and even get paid for it.
The internet has created an unbelievable amount of networking opportunities that were never available before. Here are a few:
- Social media. If you have a strong social presence on Twitter or Facebook (or both), you’re already well on your way to making connections with potential clients and colleagues in your industry who may be interested in hiring you as a freelancer.
- Online forums and communities. There are plenty of online communities where freelancers can share resources, tips, and stories with other professionals who have experience working independently from home.
Some members even set up virtual job boards where they post open positions they’d like filled by someone else’s skillset!
- Webinars (live webinars). Many companies hold live webinars during which several experts will answer questions about their particular areas of expertise and often these experts are willing to take on new clients at the end
So don’t hesitate when someone asks if anyone else has any questions…just jump right in there! The more comfortable you become speaking up during these events, the easier it will be for others to refer their business towards yours later down the road when needed.”
More Time For Side Projects
You can work on side projects without the pressure of a boss or client breathing down your neck.
You can take the time to devote yourself to something that interests you, whether it’s learning how to code or starting an online store. With complete control over your schedule and workload, you have the freedom to pursue projects that make sense for both you and your business.
You’re also likely to have more energy for these kinds of side projects because there aren’t any deadlines looming over your head (well…at least not as many), so feel free to take a break from client work every once in a while.
Better Work-Life Balance
Freelancing can help you achieve a better work-life balance. When you’re working for someone else, your schedule will likely be set by them. If they want to call you at 5 am, they can do so without asking your permission first.
As a freelancer, however, you have complete control over your schedule and can adjust it according to what works best for you. You don’t necessarily have to work during traditional business hours because no one is going to force-feed a deadline onto you if it conflicts with something else important in your life.
You’ll also have more flexibility about where and when you work from home (or anywhere else). Freelancers often prefer working remotely because they don’t need to commute or go into an office every day.
Instead of spending time on the road getting from point A to B, many freelancers would rather stay at home and get some tasks done before heading out again later on. This means there are fewer distractions than usual which makes focusing easier than ever before!
Crafting compelling freelance proposals is essential for attracting clients. Check out our definitive guide on how to write effective freelance proposals to increase your chances of landing your dream projects.
Freelancing Is A Cost-Effective Way To Hire Talent
As a business owner, hiring freelancers is a cost-effective way to hire talent. Freelancers can work from anywhere and they don’t need an office space. This means that you can save money on rent, electricity,,, and other expenses that come with keeping an office open.
Additionally, many freelancers are skilled in multiple areas of expertise (called “multipotentialites”) so they’re able to work for more than one company at once saving you even more money.
Freelancers also tend to be cheaper than full-time employees since they only get paid when they do actual work instead of receiving a salary every week or month regardless of whether they have projects lined up.
Finally, because freelancers have fewer commitments outside of their jobs (no commute), they’re usually more flexible about their schedules and duties than full-time workers who must juggle all kinds of obligations outside the workplace in addition to their paid employment hours.
This flexibility makes it easier for both parties: employers get what they need to be done efficiently without having to worry about scheduling conflicts; employees make time for themselves without being penalized by employers if doing so causes them not to meet deadlines
More Opportunities For Self-Improvement And Growth
Self-growth is an important part of the freelance lifestyle. When you’re not stuck in a cubicle, you have the opportunity to pursue personal development, which can improve your work and make you happier overall. Here are some ways that self-improvement can help with freelancing:
- You become more valuable to clients when you’re able to provide more value in your services than someone else could offer them by default (i.e., because they don’t have the skillset).
- It allows you to take on more challenging projects, knowing that it will be worth it in terms of experience gained rather than just making money right away (which is never guaranteed).
- The ability to set goals and meet them is another way that self-improvement helps freelancers especially those who work mostly on their own stay motivated throughout projects while also keeping their clients happy with timely deliverables and good communication skills
Consulting Becomes Available To All Employees
Consulting is a great way to learn new skills and take a break from your regular job. It also makes you more valuable, because it gives you the chance to showcase what you can do in other fields or industries.
If you’re an employee at any company, there’s probably someone who will hire you as a consultant on the side. You may have heard of people working remotely for companies that don’t even know they exist those are often freelance consultants!
Consulting is also a good way to make some extra cash when times get hard, especially when paired with freelancing (which we’ll talk about next).
Plus, if your employer isn’t paying enough to keep up with rising costs of living (like healthcare premiums), consulting might allow them to save money while improving their services overall!
The Future Of Freelancing Will Focus On Skills, Not Hourly Tasks
Freelancers are often hired for their expertise and ability to work independently, which can make them more effective than an employee at a comparable hourly wage.
In fact, according to Inc., freelancers earn an average of $62.83 per hour compared with $40.07 earned by full-time employees in the same industry (2018).
While the pay gap is closing somewhat as more companies embrace remote working methods and adopt freelance hiring practices, it’s still clear that there’s something special about being able to tap into someone’s unique skill set instead of simply paying them by the hour or day.
Skills bring value beyond what traditional jobs offer. But they’re also harder to find in today’s workforce and harder to teach and this is where many companies who want quality work from dedicated individuals will turn when partnering with freelancers in the future.
People who have proven themselves over time to be excellent at what they do under any circumstances
The freelance writing industry is diverse and ever-changing. If you want to discover how writers with different expertise can secure the best jobs, read our article on how freelance writers with diverse expertise can get the best jobs to explore various niche opportunities.
Artificial Intelligence Will Change The Way We Work
Artificial intelligence will make it easier to find work and the right people, tools, and information. AI-powered chatbots will handle initial inquiries and scheduling while AI-powered CRM software will help you keep track of the most important clients.
And it’s not just about automating simple tasks it’s also about automating higher-level decisions.
For example, if your machine learning algorithm learns that a customer is a high-value prospect based on their past behavior (they’ve visited your website three times in one day), then it should automatically suggest you contact them with a discount code or offer an in-person meeting instead of sending them yet another email campaign about discounts for new customers only.
Final Thoughts
We hope this article helped you understand more about the freelance workforce and how it’s changing the way we work in today’s economy. If you have any other questions about freelancing or our tips on how to become a successful freelancer, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment below.
Further Reading
How Gig Economy Is Redefining the Workplace: Discover how the gig economy is reshaping traditional work structures and offering new opportunities for both employers and freelancers.
The Corner Office: Hayden Brown, CEO of Upwork: Gain insights into the leadership and vision of Upwork’s CEO, Hayden Brown, and how she is driving the future of the freelance marketplace.
Freelance Life at Work: Dive into the experiences and challenges faced by freelancers in their work lives, and learn how they navigate the freelance journey.
People Also Ask
What Is A Freelancer?
A freelancer is someone who doesn’t work for one company, but instead works for multiple companies, doing projects on their schedule. They can be full-time or part-time, and most of the time they’re very skilled at what they do.
What Is Freelance Work?
Freelance work refers to the practice of working temporarily. In more traditional businesses, employees are hired and paid a salary, while freelancers are paid per project. Freelancers may also be self-employed and have their own businesses.
What Are The Advantages Of Freelance Work?
There are many advantages to freelance work.
One advantage is that it offers flexibility in terms of location and hours worked. Since freelancers can set their schedule, they can choose to work in an area with less traffic or at any time of day they please.
Another advantage is that freelancers can work with multiple clients at once, which means they can earn more money than if they were working for one client exclusively.
Finally, since freelancers set their rates and negotiate contracts directly with clients, they can charge what they want without facing any resistance from an employer.
Do I Need Any Special Skills Or Certifications To Start Freelancing?
You don’t need any special skills or certifications to start working as a freelancer, but you must know what kind of work is out there so that you can make well-informed decisions about which jobs are right for you.
Some freelancers have degrees in information technology or business administration; others don’t even have high school diplomas. The most important thing is that you understand what kind of workload you’re signing up for before committing yourself to anything long term.
Why Would You Work For A Freelancer?
A freelancer is an independent contractor who works on a project basis. This means that you don’t have to worry about getting benefits or paid time off, but you do get the freedom to choose your hours and projects.
Plus, you can choose whether or not you want to work with a company or just be an independent contractor.
How Do I Get Paid?
You will receive a payment in your account after the client accepts the final deliverables. You can either use your account balance to send money to other freelancers or withdraw it as cash through PayPal.
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.