For the past few years, I’ve been working as a freelance writer. When I was in college, my dream was to become a copywriter for an agency, write full-time for a magazine, or even author a book.
As it turned out, most of these jobs were either “impossible to get” or “extremely hard to get.” So I gave up my search for that perfect job and decided to create it instead by becoming a freelance writer and editor.
Nowadays, I work from my couch (though still in my pajamas from time to time), meet lots of interesting people online, and can make money doing what I love: writing about cool stuff like minimalism and living better on less.
While freelancing comes with its own set of challenges (and headaches), here are the top reasons why I think everybody should give freelancing a try:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Freelancing offers the opportunity to design the life you desire. |
| The flexibility of freelancing allows for a better work-life balance. |
| Freelancing provides the potential for increased financial independence. |
| Pursuing a freelance career can lead to personal and professional growth. |
| Embracing freelancing can bring a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. |
I Couldn’t Find The Job I Wanted, So I Made It
You don’t have to settle for a job that you hate. You can create your job. The simplest way to do this is by freelancing, but there are other ways as well.
For example, if you have an idea of what you want to do and the skills required to make it happen, then start a business around that idea. If no one else is doing what you want to do or offering what you think is missing in the market, start your business and fill that need.
You can also join forces with others for them not only to help out but also to gain benefits from working together. The key point here is: that there are many paths available for those who want them, so go find yours!
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I Had More Time And Money Than Ever
When you’re an employee, you don’t have a say in when and where you work. Your boss decides, your customers decide and often even your family decides how much time is left for you at the end of each day (or week, or month). But as a freelancer, I could decide when I wanted to work and where I wanted to work.
I worked from home most days so that my wife could drop off our daughter at school before heading into the office herself. If she wasn’t picking up our kid then we’d both be at home together but if one of us had something going on outside of regular hours with the kids then we’d just take care of it while they were at school or asleep.
This gave us more freedom than ever before when it came to spending time together as parents!
We also had more money than ever before! When we were married with two kids under three years old working full-time jobs in offices downtown neither one of us was making enough money for all three people living in Toronto’s expensive housing market (we live here now but used to live closer by).
So by having me start working remotely from home during this period especially after our son was born we saved money on childcare costs because he was still too young for daycare yet my wife didn’t need her job anymore since mine was paying all our bills.
I Didn’t Have To Use My Hobbies As A Hobby
I was able to use my hobbies as a career. This is a huge deal for me because I love writing and photography.
I like being creative and sharing my artistic vision with others, but whenever I tried to get paid for it in the past, people would say things, like they didn’t want their wedding album “looking like someone, took photos of their wedding on Instagram.”
But now that I’m working freelance, clients are much less concerned with how “professional” my work looks and much more interested in whether or not it gets the job done well—and sometimes this means letting me take candid pictures at the reception instead of hiring a professional photographer (which costs thousands).
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I Was In Full Control Of My Time
As a freelancer, I could decide when I wanted to work and how much time I wanted to spend on each project. This meant that my schedule was flexible enough for me to take care of my family and friends without worrying about office hours or having someone breathing down my neck.
I could also choose how much money I wanted to make per project, which led me to do more high-paying projects than low-paying ones (unless they were interesting).
I Could Travel More Often
You can travel more often. I’m not talking about spending a week in Paris or Rome. I’ve been able to spend weeks at home with my family and friends without any regrets or distractions (even when there’s work to be done).
Not only is this good for your health, but it also gives you the chance to make lasting memories with those who care about you most.
I could see more of my country. As an American citizen, I was born into debt the kind that comes from being born in one place and then having no choice but to stay there until death does us part.
So when I had the chance to live abroad for three years on a student visa, I took it! Now that we know how much fun it is outside America’s borders (and how little income tax is), we’re planning another trip across Europe next summer…and maybe Africa after that!
I could see more of my state/region/city/neighborhood…you get the idea 🙂
My Creativity Increased Tenfold
As a freelancer, you can be creative in your way. You can be creative in your own time. You can be creative with your tools. You can be creative with your clients. You can be creative with your ideas and products, too!
Being my boss meant that I was able to create anything I wanted at any time which is exactly what I did for years before opening up my business. At first, it was just a hobby; then it became something bigger than that; then even bigger than that!
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Freelance Work Is “Hot” Right Now
Freelance work is “hot” right now. The internet has created an environment where it’s much easier for you to find clients who need your services, and it has also lowered the bar for how much you can charge for your work.
If you think about it, we’re living in a world where all of our tasks are done by machines, so things that are harder than manual labor like writing and design are what separates us from robots.
It seems like everyone is trying their hand at freelancing nowadays: working from home has never been more popular with millennials (and Gen Zers).
Companies are letting employees telecommute more often than ever before (if they even have an office at all), and more people are traveling while making money online through freelance gigs like blogging or social media management.
In this world of constant change, having one constant thing that provides financial stability can be very comforting indeed
You Don’t Need A College Degree To Freelance Well
Though it may seem like a daunting task to go from high school graduate to successful freelancer, I assure you that it’s not as hard as you think.
A college degree is not a requirement for most jobs in today’s world. In fact, according to a recent study by the National Center for Education Statistics, only about 23% of all jobs require an associate’s degree or higher.
And even those degrees are often just glorified high school diplomas they don’t teach you much about the specific field or trade that you want to enter into (or at least not enough).
It’s also important to note that having an education doesn’t necessarily mean that someone will be better at their job either; many people who have spent their lives learning and working hard can attest that experience trumps formal schooling when it comes down to it!
With this in mind, I’d like to offer some encouragement: if your goal is simply financial freedom through freelance writing/editing/translating/etc., then take heart! You can become good enough at what you do without spending thousands on a degree program after graduating high school or college.
There are dozens upon dozens of online courses available right now which will teach anyone interested how they can start earning money working from home without ever needing any sort of education beyond their current job experience level (or lack thereof).
These courses range from general career paths such as “How To Become A Freelance Writer” or “Freelancing 101: How To Make Money As A Freelance Translator”; to specific types such as “4 Steps To Becoming A Successful Virtual Assistant”; to niche subjects like “The Secret Language Of Dogs”.
For example: If your goal is financial freedom through freelance writing/editing/translating/etc., then take heart! You can become good enough at what you do without spending thousands on a degree program after graduating high school or college. There are dozens upon dozens
If you’re considering a career in freelance writing, we’ve got you covered. Learn about the numerous benefits and opportunities that await you in our informative article on Reasons Why I Think You Should Try Freelance Writing. Explore the advantages, potential income, and creative fulfillment that come with being a freelance writer.
You Have The Support Of Millions Of Freelancers Worldwide
One of the most amazing things about freelancing is that you have access to a huge network of people who are in the same position as you.
You can ask for advice on freelancing and running a business, connect with other freelancers to share ideas and experiences, get feedback on your work from experts in your field, find work or clients through freelancing communities, and even make friends who will become part of your support system throughout your career.
I’ve made so many good friends and connections through my blog (and other platforms) that it feels like there are millions of us!
Your Skills Are Always Growing, So Your Value Increases With Them
This is the most important point on the list. The more you know, the more you can do and the more you can do, the more people will pay for it.
I was a good writer before I started freelancing but what I’m able to write now is entirely different. My writing has improved dramatically and that’s something that’s reflected in my wallet too!
The same goes for every skill: whatever your skills are like when you start freelancing will improve over time if you stick with it.
It Gives You Opportunities to Build Your Projects
You don’t have to work on someone else’s art, business, or brand. You get to build your own.
This means that you have the opportunity to create something unique, meaningful, and valuable a thing that might not exist anywhere else in the world! The best part is that you can do it all by yourself if you want (or with friends), which means no more waiting around for permission from anyone else.
You Get Paid For What You Enjoy Doing The Most
As a freelancer, you get to do what you enjoy doing. Whether it’s working from home or at the beach, or just having the flexibility to take a day off when you need it. You can also get paid for your skills, creativity, and knowledge by selling them as products on websites like Fiverr.com or Shopify.
You can even get paid for your time and experience if you offer services such as mentoring or coaching people in their careers who are looking for guidance on how to be successful in their field of choice (for example writing).
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Final Thoughts
Overall, I was able to use freelancing as an opportunity to take back control of my life. I had more time, more money, and more happiness than ever before. If you’re feeling stuck in your life, or the path you’re on isn’t making you happy anymore, then don’t be afraid to change it.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further reading on freelancing:
People Share How Freelancing Changed Their Life for the Better: Discover personal stories and firsthand accounts of individuals who have experienced positive transformations in their lives through freelancing.
Top Freelancers Explain Why They Chose to Freelance Over a Regular 9-to-5 Job: Gain insights from top freelancers as they discuss the reasons and motivations behind their decision to pursue freelancing as a career path.
Benefits of Freelancing: Why More People Are Choosing Freelance Work: Explore the numerous advantages and benefits of freelancing, including flexibility, independence, potential income, and work-life balance.
People Also Ask
What Is Freelancing?
Freelancing is where you work for yourself, and not for someone else. You can be a freelancer in any industry. You just have to decide what you want to do and how much time you want to work on it.
Can I Make Money As A Freelancer?
Yes! There are many ways to make money as a freelancer. You can get paid by the hour or by the project, depending on what kind of work you do. The most important thing is that you set your prices and get paid what you deserve for the work that you do.
What Is The Main Benefit Of Freelancing?
The main benefit of freelancing is that you can be your boss. You can decide your working hours, where you want to work from and how much money you want to make.
What Should I Do Before I Sign Up For Upwork?
Make sure that you have a portfolio of your previous work, as well as references from previous clients. This will help potential employers see what kind of work you do and what kind of experience you have. It also helps them feel more confident about hiring someone they don’t know.
How Much Money Will I Make?
That depends on how much time you’re willing to put into finding jobs, how many hours/weekend shifts/etc., and also how much competition there is in your field (for example, if everyone wants to be a programmer right now, then the pay isn’t going to be as good).
There are plenty of ways to make money freelancing you just need to figure out which one works best for your situation!
How Do I Know If Freelancing Is For Me?
If you like to work on your schedule, have a passion for what you do, and have the right skill set then freelancing may be right for you. You may need some training or mentoring to get started but once you get going it will be easier than ever before!
How Do I Start Freelancing?
There are a few ways to start freelancing: You can start by doing gigs on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr; You can create an online course and sell it through Udemy or Teachable, Or if you already have a business or website then offer services through that platform instead! There are no limits when it comes to starting your own business!
How Did You Get Started Freelancing?
I started freelancing about a year ago after I lost my job. It was a really tough time for me I didn’t have any savings and had to live off of my credit card for a while. But it turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me.
Since then, I’ve been able to set my schedule, work from home, and make more money than I ever thought possible.
What Is The First Thing You Do When You Wake Up?
My first thought is always coffee! After that, it depends on what kind of day it’s going to be. If it’s a big project day, I’ll get right down to business. If not… well, we’ll just say that sometimes days are better spent curled up with a good book and some tea or watching Netflix (or both!).
What Advice Would You Give Someone Looking To Start Freelancing?
Don’t wait until something bad happens before you take action you don’t know how long your luck will last. If you’re able or willing to take risks and put yourself out there, now is the time for it.
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.