The internet is full of stories about how freelancers have become millionaires, and how easy it is to get started as a freelancer. For example, here’s another blog post I wrote about the freelance market.
However, I want to offer some perspective on the upsides and downsides of the freelancing lifestyle. While freelance marketplaces are safer than blogging in many ways, they can also cause problems for your career if you don’t know what you’re doing.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Secure Payment Processing: Freelance marketplaces offer secure payment systems, ensuring timely and reliable compensation for your work. |
| 2. Escrow Services: Many marketplaces use escrow services to protect both freelancers and clients by holding funds until the project is completed successfully. |
| 3. Dispute Resolution: Marketplaces provide dispute resolution mechanisms, helping to address conflicts and ensure fair resolutions in case of disagreements. |
| 4. Verified Client Reviews: You can access client reviews and ratings on marketplaces, allowing you to assess the credibility and reputation of potential clients. |
| 5. Reduced Risk of Non-Payment: Working through marketplaces minimizes the risk of non-payment, as clients typically pay upfront or upon project completion. |
| 6. Platform Security: Marketplaces invest in cybersecurity, safeguarding your personal information and protecting against potential data breaches. |
| 7. Access to New Opportunities: Joining a marketplace grants you access to a pool of potential clients actively seeking freelancers for their projects. |
| 8. Building a Professional Profile: Marketplaces allow you to create a professional profile, showcasing your skills and experience to attract clients. |
| 9. Terms and Conditions: Marketplaces usually have clear terms and conditions that govern transactions, providing clarity and protection for freelancers. |
| 10. Support and Guidance: Some marketplaces offer support and guidance, helping freelancers navigate challenges and optimize their success on the platform. |
1. Job Security
The first reason freelance marketplaces are safer than blogging is job security.
The number of jobs available on freelance marketplaces is far greater than the number of jobs available on blogs.
Also, because these marketplaces tend to have thousands or even millions of clients, there are always more jobs being posted than you can find time to complete.
In addition, unlike blogging where your income may fluctuate based on what content performs well (and whose content performs better), you will always be paid exactly what your client pays you with no “surprises” at all.
This means you can have a steady stream of income coming in regardless of the economy or whether people like your writing style which means no more worrying about whether or not there will be enough work coming in next month!
Freelancing is more than just a side gig; it’s a career path that offers tremendous opportunities. Discover why freelancing is a career, not a hustle and how it can empower you to take control of your professional journey.
2. Consistent Pay
One of the biggest benefits of freelancing on a freelance marketplace is that your income is consistent. The more you work, the more money you make. This can be especially helpful if you are looking for a steady income to help pay bills and get through difficult times in your life, such as getting out of debt or saving up for an emergency fund.
Freelance marketplaces also reduce risk because they offer higher pay than other ways of working from home, such as blogging and selling items on Etsy. You can earn thousands per month on these platforms, which will go directly into your bank account every time there’s an assignment available that fits with what you do best!
3. Constant Access To Opportunities
When you work for a freelance marketplace, your opportunities are constant. You don’t have to wait until someone is stumbling upon your website and decides to hire you. You can always be on the lookout for new projects that interest you or are in line with what you specialize in.
This way, when an interesting opportunity comes up, it only takes one email to get started; there’s no need to spend hours creating a proposal and researching what the client wants from you.
In addition to being able to take advantage of opportunities as they arise, freelance marketplaces also offer something else: control over what kind of work you do and how much time it takes up in your schedule each week/month/year.
If there’s something specific about a project that doesn’t work for you whether it’s too short-term or doesn’t pay as well as other options then it’s fine not taking the job!
The freedom this allows will free up more time than ever before because now all those hours spent researching potential clients could go toward doing other things instead (or even just enjoying some leisure time).
Are you curious about the world’s largest freelance marketplace? Our quick beginner’s guide to Upwork will walk you through the essentials, helping you get started on this platform to find great opportunities.
4. Flexibility
You can work when you want to work. You’re not bound by the hours of your clients, and your clients aren’t bound by the hours of their employees. This means that there is no need for anyone to stay late at the office just because it’s the end of a day or week.
You can work from anywhere. There are many freelancers who choose to travel full time and still have a successful career as a result; some even manage to earn more money without ever having set foot on an airplane!
If you prefer working in offices, consider opting for coworking spaces or shared workspaces instead of renting an apartment or house where you won’t be able to carry out all your tasks effectively enough.
You can work on your terms. By choosing what projects you want to take on and how much time they require from you.
It is possible for every single task in life from mundane household chores right up to specialized scientific research to become something that makes us feel good about ourselves rather than something we dread doing because we have no choice but do it anyway!
5. A Whole World Of Opportunities
The opportunities available on freelance marketplaces are diverse, so you can choose the ones that fit your skills and interests. If you’re a graphic designer in the tech industry, there will be plenty of jobs for you to apply for. But if you also have experience as a social media manager, then you have even more options at your disposal.
On blogging platforms like Medium or LinkedIn Pulse (now LinkedIn Articles), there’s no way for clients to find freelancers by field or expertise level because everyone is competing with each other in one pool of writers.
When it comes down to it, many writers want to write about topics that they know nothing about or aren’t passionate about just so they can get paid which leads us back again to safety issues!
The digital workforce is rapidly evolving, and freelancers play a crucial role in this transformation. Learn more about how freelancing is changing the digital workforce and how you can adapt to thrive in this dynamic environment.
6. Expand Your Skills Online
There are plenty of ways you can learn new skills online. It could be a part of your job, part of your hobby, or even just to make life easier in general.
For example, if you want to learn how to code but don’t have any formal training, there are plenty of websites and courses available on Udemy that will teach you the basics (and more).
You could also look up specific technical skills like Python or HTML5 on YouTube and get lessons from there.
And if all else fails? Just Google it!
7. Opportunities For Success Are Endless
One of the greatest benefits of freelancing on a platform like Upwork is that you have access to a huge marketplace. There are so many clients looking for freelancers and so many opportunities for success, that it’s almost impossible not to find something that works for you.
If you’d like to work from home, but prefer an environment with more flexibility, then working from a cafe might be an ideal solution for you.
Not only do cafes offer the opportunity to meet other people who are working remotely and enjoy having company while they work; but they also offer WiFi and electricity so there’s no need to bring your equipment!
In addition, with some clever scheduling (such as taking breaks when traffic dies down), it’s possible even in busy coffee shops during peak hours which allows me enough time outside office hours while still keeping my costs low since I don’t pay rent or utilities at home anymore 🙂
The same goes if being able to travel regularly is important: whether it’s because there isn’t any place left where anyone wants him around any longer or simply because he doesn’t want his family worrying about him every single day…
Either way, this kind of freedom allows us all kinds of opportunities within our schedules without having much overhead cost!
8. Using Freelance Marketplaces Is Convenient
If you’re not a fan of working from home, there’s nothing wrong with that. There are plenty of other great places to get your work done. Using a freelance marketplace can make your job even more convenient than working at home. Here’s why:
You can work from anywhere and I mean it when I say ANYWHERE! You can work at home, in the library, or in a coworking space (which is generally cheaper than working from home).
The point is that there are many flexible options for getting your freelance projects done, so if you’re looking for an extra boost of motivation on those cloudy days when opening up Illustrator feels like too much effort, this might be just what the doctor ordered!
9. A Supportive Community That Values Your Skill Sets And Abilities
There’s a reason why so many people love working on freelance marketplaces. It’s not just because they’re a great way to earn money, but also because the community is very supportive and finds ways to help you thrive.
For example, when you post your skills and experience in the marketplace, other freelancers will be able to find out more about what you can do and how they could benefit from hiring you as their next project manager or project coordinator.
This is especially helpful if you’ve been hired in the past as an assistant or intern at a company that specializes in one area of expertise but doesn’t have much experience working with others outside of your industry (like marketing).
If another user has posted similar work listings before then those users might reach out first before posting jobs themselves!
With all these benefits how could anyone resist signing up?
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10. You Can Be Successful In Any Niche You Choose
The most important thing to note here is that you don’t have to work on something you are passionate about, knowledgeable about, or even interested in. You can choose a niche that pays well and is simple enough for you to learn quickly.
This will allow you to make more money than blogging while doing less work overall, allowing you more free time to focus on the things that matter most in life: family and friends!
11. Less Time Commuting, More Time Networking, And Working!
Because you can work from anywhere, there’s no need to commute. Tell me, how much time did you spend in your car this week? Did you spend even more time on the subway or bus?
How about taking a taxi? Did any of that time get wasted because of traffic jams and road closures? Did it cost money too?
On top of all that, with freelance marketplaces like Upwork, there are no office politics. You don’t have to interact with people who might make your life miserable at the office.
If one person makes things difficult for you on Upwork, just block them! It’s as easy as blocking someone on Facebook the only difference is that this way they won’t be able to find out what kind of coffee shop you’re working from today.
12. Be Your Boss And Work When You Want To Work
The best part about the freelance marketplaces is that you can be your boss. You don’t have to answer to anyone and there are no deadlines. If you want to take time off because you had a bad day or need some time for yourself, then feel free.
No one is going to judge or make a fuss about it. You also have complete control over what type of work you do and how much time you spend working on it. The only person who can say no is yourself!
It doesn’t matter where in the world that job may be located either if they want someone to like you, then they will go out of their way (and sometimes even pay extra) just so that they get their hands on someone like YOU!
13. Discussing Your Job On Social Media Can Land You New Clients Or Gigs!
Social media is a great way to connect with other freelancers, potential clients, and other people in your industry. If you’re looking for work or want to get more freelance gigs, social media is a very effective tool.
It’s also important to note that even if you are successful in landing an opportunity that comes from social media, you don’t need to use the same platform where you found the gig/opportunity for your new client/client’s references (if any) will trust your work!
14. Your Results Speak For Themselves No Need For A Portfolio!
When you start your own freelance business, you don’t have to worry about having a website or blog to show off your work.
You also don’t need to worry about how long it’s been since your last job posting you can say anything and everything about yourself and your work history (or lack thereof) because no one will be able to check out any of that information if they want to hire you! All they see is the end product: whatever project it is that they’re hiring you for.
15. Freelance Marketplaces Are An Excellent Way To Learn How To Manage Money!
Freelance marketplaces are a great way to learn how to manage money. You can learn how to set up a budget, save money for the future, invest your money, avoid debt and manage your credit score. This is great because it will help you make more informed decisions about how you spend and save.
If you’re thinking about signing up for any freelance sites (like Upwork), here are some tips on how to avoid getting scammed:
Don’t pay upfront fees There are no upfront fees when using Upwork! If someone asks you for an upfront payment or says they will pay you later on another site then this is a scammer trying to trick you out of your hard-earned cash!
Make sure that any payments made through the platform are sent directly from the client into your account so there isn’t confused when it comes time for payment!
Embrace the flexibility of freelancing without sacrificing your productivity. Explore the possibilities of freelancing on the phone and learn how remote work can be efficient and rewarding for your career.
16. Build Up Your Reputation, All From The Comfort Of Your Home (Or Even At A Cafe!)
You can build up your reputation from the comfort of your home (or even at a cafe!) all while earning money. You don’t have to spend hours writing and editing, because you’re not writing or editing anything.
You’ll also be able to work at your own pace, which is convenient if you don’t have much time for freelancing. That way you can set aside time for other things like going out with friends and family or getting fit whatever it is that makes you happy!
These Reasons Will Make You Think Twice About Choosing Blogging Over Freelance Marketplaces
Why you should choose freelancer marketplaces over blogging:
Safety
Freelance marketplaces are a safer option than blogging because they feature a safe working environment, which is something that you cannot find on your own. With freelance marketplaces, you can be sure that your information will be protected and no one can tamper with it.
Stability
When you work as a freelancer on Fiverr or Upwork, there is no need to worry about whether or not your project will be completed on time because this is taken care of by the platform itself (and if not them then someone else will do it for you).
On the other hand, when blogging, there are no guarantees that any content creator will finish his/her job in time; all he/she needs to do is send an email saying “My dog ate my homework.”
Conclusion
So are freelance marketplaces safe to use? Compared to a blog, yes! You have actual protection from freelancer scams. In addition, you have peace of mind knowing that your bills and loans will get paid on time.
You can also choose from an assortment of clients if one decides not to work with you after all. If a client decides not to pay for services rendered, you can contact the freelance marketplace’s support team for help.
This article was written by Adam Smith, who has been using Fiverr for over 2 years now and is happy with it.*
Further Reading
5 Reasons Not to Take Marketplace Clients Offline: Learn why it’s essential to maintain client interactions within the safety and convenience of online marketplaces.
4 Solid Reasons to Avoid Freelance Marketplaces like Upwork: Discover compelling reasons to consider alternatives to popular freelance marketplaces for your freelance career.
How to Develop a Freelance Marketplace like Upwork and Keep It Competitive: If you’re interested in creating your own freelance marketplace, this guide will provide insights into development and competitiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Get Started?
To get started, you’ll need to create an account on the marketplace of your choice. This can be done in less than five minutes by filling out a form with your name, email address, and other basic information.
You can also use a social media profile or G Suite account for signup if you have one already no additional information is required! Once you’re signed up, check out some of the job listings to see what types of work are available and start applying for jobs that interest you.
What Are The Best Freelance Marketplaces?
There are dozens of freelance marketplaces available today, but there is only one place where freelancers thrive: Upwork. With over 20 million employers and 5 million freelancers registered worldwide (and growing), Upwork has been recognized as “The #1 Place To Find Freelance Work Online” according to CNN Money Magazine (2017).
What Is A Freelance Marketplace?
A freelance marketplace is an online platform where you can post your services and find new clients. If you’ve ever tried to hire a freelancer for the first time, you know how difficult it can be.
You have to sift through dozens or even hundreds of applications from people who claim to be experts in their field but may not have any previous experience at all.
A freelance marketplace is much more efficient allowing both you and the freelancers on the site to focus on what they do best while eliminating many of the headaches that come with hiring someone off Craigslist or Elance (or any other source).
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Using A Freelance Marketplace?
The biggest benefit of using a site like Upwork is that there are already thousands of qualified candidates available for hire within seconds of signing up; this also means less time spent searching for potential candidates yourself once you’ve created your job posting!
The downside comes when comparing rates: though some freelancers may offer lower bids than others, many will charge close-to-full prices since it’s easy enough for clients to compare offers side by side without having visited each website beforehand (imagine trying this process manually!). Some platforms also charge fees ranging between 5%-20%, though they usually offer discounts if signing up under certain conditions (e..g., paying upfront).
Let’s answer some common questions about freelance marketplaces, and how they can help you make money from home.
What Is A Freelance Marketplace?
A freelance marketplace is an online platform that connects freelancers with clients who need their services. Clients usually post jobs on the site, which typically fall into one of three categories: writing, design, or development. Freelancers then bid on each job to win them and get paid if they are selected by the client.
How Do Freelance Marketplaces Work?
The first step for any freelancer is to sign up on a marketplace like Upwork (formerly Elance-oDesk) or Fiverr (more on these below). Then you can browse through the available gigs posted by clients in your area and choose ones that sound interesting to you or create your original offer if there isn’t one already listed!
Next comes submitting your bid which means stating how much you think it should cost to complete this project so that potential buyers know what price range they should consider when hiring someone like yourself.
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.