I am a freelance content writer from USA. I have been freelancing for the past 4 years, and I am thankful to God that I chose this career path. In this article, I will tell you 27 reasons why I think freelancing is the best option for me.
Takeaways |
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Freelancing offers the potential for a fulfilling and flexible career. |
Choosing freelancing over a traditional job can provide greater control and autonomy in your work. |
Freelancing allows you to pursue your passions and work on projects that align with your interests. |
Freelancing can provide financial stability and the opportunity to earn a higher income. |
Saying “yes” to freelancing and “no” to a job can lead to personal and professional growth. |
I Could Work On Anything I Wanted
When you are freelancing, you can work on anything you want. If there’s something that piques your interest, or if there’s something that you’re good at, or even if there’s something that motivates you and makes your heart sing you can do it!
When I was working for a company, my boss had to get me to stop working on projects that interested me because we were behind schedule. But now?
I work on projects with the sole intention of learning more about them and trying different things. The result is an interesting portfolio (with very few actual clients) that I’m proud of.
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I Could Go On Vacation Anytime I Wanted
If you’re in the U.S., then you have the benefit of a few weeks of paid vacation every year (if your company is decent). This is one of the things that make working for someone else not so bad. You can take a vacation whenever you want, even if it’s just for a day or two here and there.
But when you become a freelancer, this changes. You are no longer dependent on anyone else for your income and if they don’t pay on time (or at all), it doesn’t matter because there are always other clients who will pay upfront. And let me tell ya: there are some amazing places on Earth!
If I want to take off and go somewhere amazing like Bali or Hawaii? Boom! Done! Do I need some time away from my desk because I’m overwhelmed by all my projects? Boom! Done! If my entire team decides they need an afternoon off because they’re feeling burnt out due to too many deadlines? Boom!
Done! As long as I have enough money saved up in my bank account, these trips can happen whenever we want them to happen without any strings attached or approvals required by upper management…or bosses…or directors…or whoever else would usually be involved in such matters at work
I Could Work In My Pajamas & Not Get Fired
I could work when I wanted, from anywhere, in my pajamas.
Leaving the house at 7:30 am to sit in rush hour traffic for an hour and a half every day? Forget it! I’d rather stay home and watch Netflix on my couch while drinking a hot chocolate.
It was great not having to drive or take public transportation anywhere besides getting groceries or going out with friends. And if I wanted to work while sitting on the beach or mountain or even during dinner time I could do that too!
It wasn’t just about where I could work though: it was also about what tasks I would be doing. When you’re working from home, there’s no need for fancy office buildings with expensive rent costs and maintenance fees (not to mention electricity bills).
There’s no need for formal dress codes or showering before heading into work each morning! Nothing is stopping me from working in my pajamas….as long as they’re clean of course 😉
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I’m More Creative When I Can Take My Time & Do Something Multiple Ways
When you’re working on a project and have time to think, it’s easier to be more creative. You can take your time and do something multiple ways. You can also do your own thing without someone telling you what to do, or even when to go home for the night.
And finally, when you set your schedule and pace for yourself as a freelancer, it makes things much easier than if you were working in an office environment with a boss micromanaging everything from how many emails get sent out during work hours (too many) down through which toilet paper goes on which roll (the cheapest).
I Could Charge For What I Was Worth (Which Was A Lot More Than $10/Hr)
I could charge what I wanted to charge. And if they said no, then no dice. No problemo. It’s not like they had any other options anyway. Take it or leave it!
I could charge what I thought I was worth and that number changed over time because my skills got better and better and my confidence grew with them!
I could even just pick any random number (like $300) or a percentage of the project ($150 of every $500 bill), and say “This is what you have to pay me.” It didn’t matter because then your client would have no choice but to accept these terms if he wanted anything done at all by someone who knew how to do it well…you know…like YOU!
I Wasn’t A Fan Of Corporate Politics Anyway
I don’t know about you, but I was never a big fan of corporate politics. I didn’t want to be in a position where I had to lie or suck up to people to get ahead. And I didn’t want the responsibility of being the person who told other people what they can and cannot say at work and that’s exactly what happened when it came time for promotions.
The thought of having someone else’s career in my hands made me uncomfortable and stressed out, which is why I was so grateful when freelancing gave me an out from all that nonsense.
Here are some more reasons why freelancing is better than working full-time:
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The Moment Something Better Came Along, Zero Hassle Was Terminating The Gig
When you work for someone, you can walk away from a job at any time. You can also terminate the contract without consequence, and it will have zero impact on your reputation.
When I decided to terminate my gig with TaskRabbit, the person who had been waiting for me was understanding and didn’t make me feel bad about leaving before our scheduled time was up.
That’s not true if you’re a freelancer: once you’ve accepted an assignment from someone, there’s no turning back without looking like a jerk.
The client knows that once they pay for your services (via invoice), they own them for as long as it takes to complete the project and if they don’t like how things are going along the way? They’ll just stop paying so that they get their money’s worth anyway!
If something better came along while we were working together (like another gig or opportunity) then rest assured: I would have let my client know right away so that he wasn’t surprised when I disappeared one day after completing his stuff but not getting paid yet by him either…
There Was A Lot More Work Available To Me Than Working Directly For Someone Specific
I had the opportunity to work on projects that interested me, including ones that I was good at, and allowed me to work on things that were a little out of my comfort zone. This gave me so much freedom in terms of what I did during my day.
While working for someone specific, there are only so many hours in a day and only so many clients you can take on before your workload becomes too much to handle. As a freelancer, there is no limit on how much work can come your way if you want it!
Freelance work is transforming the nature of work itself, presenting new opportunities and challenges. Stay informed about the changing landscape and embrace the benefits of freelance work. Dive into our thought-provoking article, Freelance Work is Changing the Nature of Work, and gain valuable insights into the evolving world of freelancing.
The Pay Was Much Higher Than What You Get Paid W2ing For Someone Else (including benefits!)
Working for yourself means that you can charge what you’re worth. You can negotiate your rates, and make sure that they are fair. You get to decide what you want to work on next! Working in a corporate environment often prevents you have limited control over the type of projects and clients that come your way.
You may have been forced into an industry or role because it was convenient or easy at the time, but now is when you have the freedom to explore other options with no ties holding you back.
It Allowed Me To Be In Complete Control Over My Finances & Life E.G. Insurance, Taxes, Where/How/When/If I Worked, Pay Days, Terms + Conditions
When you’re a freelancer, there are many advantages:
- You can change your work hours to suit what works for you. If you have a doctor’s appointment or just want to spend time with your kids in the afternoon, no one will say anything. Even if that means working from 8 pm to midnight.
- You can work from home and be in total control over where, how, and when you work (within reason).
- You can take vacation days whenever they suit you and get paid on those days too! Or not at all if it suits you better 🙂
- You can set your rate of pay and decide whether or not customers need to pay upfront before starting any projects with them.
- Sometimes it’s better to work for yourself.
When you work for yourself, you can work on what you want. Not just that, but when you want and how you want it. Because it’s your business and your schedule, there are no real rules or regulations other than those that come from within yourself. You can also take vacations whenever the mood strikes!
I started freelancing because I was sick of working for someone else’s dream and wasn’t making any money to speak of in the process. But now that I’m doing this full-time (and loving every minute), I’ve realized there are so many more benefits than just making more money:
Don’t let fear hold you back from exploring the world of freelancing on Upwork. Uncover the possibilities and advantages that freelancing on Upwork can offer. Check out our informative piece on Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Try Freelancing on Upwork to discover how this platform can kickstart your freelance career.
Conclusion
I love freelancing, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re someone who doesn’t like to take charge of your own life and business, then you probably won’t find the same success I have. But if you do like being in control & having flexibility, then freelancing is a wonderful option for you.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that provide valuable insights on saying no to freelance projects and clients:
When and How to Say No to Freelance Projects: Discover practical tips and strategies for determining when it’s appropriate to turn down freelance projects and how to communicate your decision effectively.
The Top 5 Reasons to Say No to Clients as a Freelancer: Explore the key reasons why it’s important to say no to certain clients as a freelancer, and learn how doing so can benefit your career and work-life balance.
When to Turn Down Work: How to Say No as a Freelancer: Gain insights into the situations and factors that should prompt you to decline freelance work, and get practical advice on navigating client relationships when saying no.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Did You Say No To A Job And Yes To Freelancing?
I’m a writer. I love writing, but I don’t like the idea of being stuck in an office all day. Freelancing allows me to work from wherever I want, whenever I want so that I can stay creative and do what’s best for my health.
How Did You Start Freelancing?
It wasn’t easy! It took me almost two years to figure out what worked for me. In the beginning, it was hard because I didn’t know how to price myself or how much work came in. But once I got my bearings and figured out how to manage my time better, things started flowing much more smoothly. Now it’s really easy and fun!
Why Should I Take The Plunge And Freelance?
Because it’s a great way to make money and get more freedom. You can set your hours, choose what projects you want to work on, and work from wherever you want!
What If I’m Not Ready?
You don’t have to be ready! You can start small by doing some side hustles or freelancing for friends and family just to get your feet wet.
How Do I Find Clients?
There are many ways! You can create an online portfolio of your past work (or start one now!), then reach out directly to people who might need your services. Or, connect with other freelancers through social media groups or conferences.
How Much Do I Need To Charge?
That depends on where you live, how much experience you have, and how much time it takes to complete each project. To figure this out, try making a list of all the expenses associated with running your business (we recommend starting small!), then adding up their total cost over a year this will be the amount
I am a content writer, and I love what I do! Writing makes me feel like the words are flowing through my fingers, and then onto the keyboard, like magic. My experience as a writer has taught me that writing makes me feel good, as well as helps others to feel better too!