How Freelancing Is Changing Work, For The Better

At the start of the pandemic, with in-person work shutting down and unemployment rates spiking, freelance work stepped up to fill the gap. 

But freelancing is more than just a stopgap for people who suddenly found themselves without jobs. 

In many ways, it’s a new way of working that offers flexibility and freedom to people who might not be able to find traditional jobs (or don’t want them). 

Freelancing offers promise and opportunity for everyone including you!

Takeaways
1. Flexibility: Freelancing offers individuals the flexibility to set their own schedules, allowing for a better work-life balance.
2. Diverse Opportunities: Freelancers can explore various industries and projects, gaining valuable experience and skillsets.
3. Global Reach: The rise of remote work and freelancing has expanded opportunities for professionals worldwide.
4. Empowerment: Freelancers have more control over their careers, choosing projects that align with their passions and expertise.
5. Impact on Traditional Work: The freelancing trend is reshaping the traditional work landscape, influencing how companies and professionals operate.

Freelancing Is Growing In Popularity

Now, let’s talk about one of the most important factors in this shift: freelancing is becoming more common.

Freelancing is no longer just a means for artists, writers and other creative types to make ends meet in fact, it’s now being adopted by everyone from lawyers to plumbers. 

In 2016 alone, over 40 million people were self-employed or freelance contractors in the U.S., up from 34 million in 2006 and 30 million in 2001 according to BLS data. 

And that trend shows no sign of slowing down; a recent Pew Research Center study revealed that 36% of American adults have done some form of gig work (i.e., freelancing) at least once in their lifetime a number which has doubled since 2014! 

And in the UK? Well according to one report “freelancers accounted for 20 percent of total employment,” which means that 1 out 5 workers are freelancers!

Building a successful freelancing career takes time and effort. Check out our guide on how freelancing is changing work for the better to understand the positive impact freelancing has on the modern work landscape.

Freelancers Are Not Alone In Their Quest For Freedom

As a freelancer, you’re not alone in your quest for freedom. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than six million Americans currently work as independent contractors. 

And this number is only expected to grow. But even if you don’t intend to become a full-time freelancer, learning how to work efficiently and productively will help you succeed at any job.

In order to make sure that your work life is both fulfilling and profitable, here are some important things to keep in mind when making the transition from employee/employer relationships:

More And More People Are Looking For This Kind Of Work

The number of freelancers is growing quickly, and the reasons why are varied. More and more people, especially young workers, are looking for this kind of work because they view it as a lifestyle choice. 

It’s not just about making money; it’s also about freedom, flexibility, and having control over your destiny.

Freelancing isn’t just an option now it’s becoming a career choice for many people in all kinds of fields. 

People who once would have been discouraged from thinking about freelancing because their parents had expectations for them or because there weren’t any jobs available can now turn to freelance as a way to make a living instead.

The Freelance Workforce Has Reached An All-Time High

So you’re curious about freelancing, but what does it mean? 

Freelancing is a growing trend in the workforce; according to Business Insider, 35 percent of Americans are now freelancers and that number is only going up.

Freelancers have become an integral part of our economy and are changing the way we work for the better. 

These entrepreneurs are not alone in their quest for freedom: they’re feeling very optimistic about the future of freelance work and believe it will continue to grow as technology advances.

As a freelance worker, there’s no one telling you what to do or when to do it you’re your boss! 

But being independent also means constantly learning new skills and adapting them as needed based on feedback from clients, who may want something different than what was originally planned out during contract negotiations (for instance). 

As a result of this constant learning process, most freelancers experience mastery over certain areas while continually discovering new interests along with their clients’ needs over time.

Freelancing has opened up new opportunities for workers worldwide. Discover why freelancing is the best thing to happen to work in a long time and how it can revolutionize your career.

Freelancers Are Feeling Very Optimistic About The Future

Freelancers are feeling more optimistic about the future than other workers. According to a survey by Upwork, more than half of freelancers are optimistic about their business prospects in 2019 and beyond. They’re also more likely to think that they will have a job in the next two years than non-freelancer workers (67 percent vs 53 percent).

The survey also found that freelancers tend to be younger than non-freelancer workers, with just 37 percent being over 50 years old compared to 55 percent of non-freelancers.

Being A Freelancer Means Constantly Learning New Skills

Freelancers have to learn new skills constantly to stay competitive in a market that is constantly changing. One of the biggest benefits of being a freelancer is that you can decide where and when you want to work. 

If you are looking for an opportunity because of this, it’s important to remember that your clients will also be able to choose where they want their projects completed, which means that if you want a steady stream of work. 

It’s critical for you as a freelancer not only to know how much time and effort goes into building these skills but also how quickly they get outdated.

On top of learning new skills to stay current with technology and trends in your industry, it’s important to keep up with new developments within your field (for example learning website development versus web design). 

If there aren’t any opportunities available locally or online then consider taking classes at local colleges or universities in order

to learn what’s needed so that when those opportunities come along later on down the road then they won’t seem like such daunting tasks anymore!

Are you a freelancer from Generation Z or a millennial? Embrace the freelancing lifestyle with insights from our article on freelancing for Generation Z and millennials and make the most of your career choices.

It Also Means You’re A Much More Efficient Worker

You can focus on the task at hand. When you’re working from home, you’re not distracted by co-workers who are chatting about their weekend plans or a group of people watching a video together. 

You don’t have to squeeze your work in whenever someone else isn’t using the printer. 

And if there’s some kind of office drama that’s interrupting your flow, it doesn’t matter because it’s not happening in real-time (unless it is).

You can work from anywhere! Whether you need to be at home with children while they do their homework or away on vacation with your spouse. 

Freelancing means never having to miss out on an opportunity due to distance constraints which also means never having to worry about scheduling around other people’s schedules either. 

It’s also worth mentioning that traveling is much cheaper when you don’t have to worry about paying for an open-ended hotel reservation or airline tickets for every day away from home during business trips (and no one will judge you for sleeping late!).

Working in pajamas and drinking coffee out of mugs featuring cat memes may seem counterintuitive when we talk about productivity. 

But studies show that working at home is more effective than working outside of it at least if we define “productivity” as output per hour worked rather than how many hours were clocked overall. 

That might be because being able to multitask while working allows us greater flexibility over when and how much we accomplish each day; maybe not everyone needs this kind of freedom but most freelancers would agree: It feels good!

You Get To Choose Your Hours, And You’re No Longer Tied To A 9-5 Schedule Anymore

One of the biggest perks of freelancing is that you get to choose your hours. Gone are the days of being tied to a 9-5 schedule and having to commute in traffic for an hour every day. 

Freelancers can work from anywhere, whether it’s from their home office, coffee shop, or coworking space. Some people even like working from abroad!

You might be thinking “but what about the stress?” Well, there is some truth here if you’re not careful with managing your time and environment then yes, working from home can become stressful (just like any other job). 

But if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or burned out at work but don’t know how else to handle it except by quitting, try freelancing instead! 

This way if all else fails then at least there will be fewer repercussions than before since now nothing is tying us down.”

65% Of Freelancers Had Better Sleep After Going Freelance Full-Time (44%) Or Part-Time (21%)

Freelancers are more likely to get a better night’s sleep. 65% of freelancers had better sleep after going freelance full-time (44%) or part-time (21%).

This isn’t just because of the flexibility that comes from working from home, either. It seems that freelancing can help you achieve more sleep in general: 

It helps you get more energy during the day and be less stressed out when you’re trying to wind down at night.

Legal services freelancers can find success with the right strategies. Learn about succeeding as a freelance legal services lawyer and discover the keys to thriving in the legal freelancing world.

High Earners Can Make Up To $100k Per Year Freelancing

Freelancing, on average, is a great way to make money. But it’s not for everyone. 

The high earners in the freelancing world (those who make more than $100K per year) are usually either very well-established and have a large following or have started their businesses. 

These are people who have excelled at one thing and can command top dollar for their services.

Unfortunately, the rest of us will probably never earn that kind of money freelancing alone but we can still do pretty well for ourselves by honing our skills. 

Building our networks and offering our services to clients in need of them.

Skills Like Data Analysis, Copywriting, And Website Design All Earn Over $30 Per Hour On Average

You can freelance from anywhere in the world, on your terms and your schedule. It’s a flexible way to earn extra money without being tied down to one job or location. 

If you have talents that aren’t being utilized in your day-to-day work, freelancing could be a great way to make some extra cash while also exploring new opportunities and learning more about yourself.

Freelancers typically do not receive benefits like vacation pay or health care coverage that traditional employees do, but they are free from certain constraints of their office jobs such as micromanagement of their time and tasks assigned by others. 

Freelancing has become especially popular among millennials who value freedom over financial security when choosing employment options (according to an online survey conducted by Upwork).

Start By Setting Aside One Day Per Week Where You Dedicate Time To Freelancing

Set aside one day per week where you dedicate time to freelancing. This could be on a Sunday, or any other day that works for you. 

On this day, make sure to come in with a plan and some goals: what are some things you want to accomplish? What are some clients you’re targeting?

You can use this day as an opportunity to work on your portfolio and find new clients. 

You should also be proactive in finding new clients by searching for them yourself (e.g., using LinkedIn) or posting your services on sites such as Upwork and Freelancer. 

There are plenty of options out there; just keep trying until someone bites!

At The End Of Each Week, Review The Last 7 Days And Start Planning For The Next 7 Days Ahead. You Need A Plan To Succeed!

You can’t afford to be sloppy with your time. You will never succeed if you don’t know where the week has gone, and what you need to do next.

When it comes to freelancing, planning is everything. The key is being organized and staying focused. 

At the end of each week, review the last 7 days and start planning for the next 7 days ahead. You need a plan to succeed!

If you’re considering freelancing, explore the potential of high-paying opportunities. Discover what freelance jobs pay the highest hourly wages and find your path to financial growth in the freelance market.

Breaking Goals Into Smaller Steps Will Help You Focus On What Needs To Be Done At That Moment And Keep You Motivated At The Same Time

By breaking your goal into smaller steps, you can concentrate on what needs to be done at that moment and keep yourself motivated at the same time. 

These small tasks will help you feel like you’re making progress towards your goal. 

If you are working on an article or blog post, for example, try writing just one paragraph each day rather than trying to get everything written all at once.

If you want to learn how to bake cookies but don’t have much time in the evenings after work because of other obligations. 

Focus on watching some YouTube videos about cookie baking during lunch breaks instead of trying to make them from scratch every day after work (or even worse before going home).

Breaking goals down into achievable tasks also helps us stay focused by avoiding distractions along the way and makes it easy for us to accomplish them if we need motivation!

Your Portfolio Is Crucial As It Is Where Potential Clients Will Decide Whether They Want To Work With You Or Not

When you are looking to work with a freelancer, the portfolio is your first point of contact. It should be easy to navigate and find what you are looking for.

It should also accurately reflect the skills that they have so that you can make an informed decision about whether they are the right person for your project.

The portfolio should be easy to read and understand too – if it is going to be part of your initial interaction with potential clients then it should communicate who you are and what value you will add.

Conclusion

Now, if you want to get started on your freelancing journey, it’s never been easier! Just remember that this is an ongoing process and you should look at it as a way of life. 

Don’t give up if things don’t go as planned at first; keep your head up high and keep pushing forward! 

This can be really rewarding work once you get started – just take the time to plan so that you’re prepared for anything along the way.

Further Reading

The Corner Office: Hayden Brown on the Future of Freelancing Short Description: Read an insightful interview with Hayden Brown, the CEO of Upwork, as she shares her thoughts on the future of freelancing and its impact on the global workforce.

The Future of Work Is Freelancing: Understanding the Industry Short Description: Dive into the future of work and learn about the dynamics of the freelancing industry, exploring the opportunities and challenges it presents.

The Future of Freelancing: Trends and Insights Short Description: Discover the latest trends and insights into the future of freelancing, including how it’s reshaping traditional work patterns and providing new opportunities for professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does The Freelancing Industry Work?

The freelancing industry is made up of independent contractors who work for themselves and are not employed by a company. 

Freelancers can work from home, in a coffee shop, or wherever they please. They choose their hours, projects, and clients.

What Are Some Common Benefits Of Freelancing?

Freelancers get to choose their projects and clients, which means they can spend more time on things they love and less time on things they don’t enjoy. 

They also have more freedom than employees when it comes to spending their money they don’t have to wait until payday!

What Are Some Common Challenges Faced By Freelancers?

Being your boss can be a big challenge for some people because you’re responsible for everything that happens during your shift: 

Make sure clients pay you on time; make sure you’re hitting deadlines; find new clients; etc. 

You also need to make sure you’re saving for retirement (because no employer will do it for you!).

How Do I Get Started?

It’s easy! You can start by signing up for a freelance platform like [platform name], and connecting with potential clients. 

From there, you can meet up in person to discuss the project at hand, or get in touch via chat or email to discuss any details.

What Should I Charge?

It depends on many factors, including your location and experience level. If you’re just starting as a freelancer, it may be hard for you to come up with an exact figure. 

But that’s okay! Don’t worry about charging too little (or too much). Just make sure you’re being paid fairly for your work, and that both parties are happy with the outcome.

What If I’m Not Sure What To Do?

That’s okay! Your client will likely have some ideas about how they want their project accomplished, but they might also be open to suggestions from you. 

Ask questions if something isn’t clear this is your chance to learn more about what they want out of the project so that you can deliver exactly what they need!