Freelancing is one of the best ways to make money online, but it’s also one of the most competitive markets out there. Freelancers constantly compete with each other to get projects from companies that can’t afford full-time employees or don’t want to hire full-time employees. In this article, we will discuss that is freelancing a good career choice nowadays.
The Top Reasons Why Freelancing Is a Great Career Choice
Here are some different reasons why you should consider freelancing as a career option nowadays:
· A Flexible Schedule
One of the best things about freelancing is that you can often set your hours and work around your schedule. There are no bosses to report to or have to go into an office every day, which leaves plenty of time for other commitments such as family, hobbies, or even sleep.
Being a freelancer also means never having to worry about missing out on promotions because there aren’t any within the company.
· Work from Anywhere
Another good thing about freelancing is that you can work from anywhere in the world. You don’t need to go to an office for work. All you need is a laptop and an internet connection. This gives you the freedom to travel and work at the same time. And if you get homesick, you can always take your work with you.
· Take Time Off Whenever You Want
One of the best things about freelancing is that you can take time off whenever you want. If you need a mental health day or want to take a last-minute vacation, you can do so without having to ask for permission from your boss. There are no shifts and no set schedule to adhere to.
You work when you want and as much as you want. It’s perfect for people who like to keep their schedules open in case they’re needed elsewhere.
· Independence from Bosses
One of the top reasons why freelancing is a good career option nowadays is that you don’t have to answer to anyone but yourself. You get to be your boss and set your hours, which can be extremely liberating. Of course, this also means that you’re solely responsible for your success or failure, but that can be a motivator in itself.
· Greater Job Security
In today’s economy, it’s not uncommon for people to feel anxious about their job security. But as a freelancer, you have the power to choose the projects you work on and how much work you take on. That means, no matter what happens in the market, you can always find more work.
And when your freelance career is up and running well, you’ll be able to charge higher rates than most companies are willing to pay. It’s all very empowering.
· There’s No Annual Performance Review
One of the great things about being a freelancer is that there’s no annual performance review. You don’t have to worry about impressing your boss or meeting quotas. You can simply focus on doing your best work and attracting new clients. Plus, you get the freedom to do what you want when you want with little supervision.
There are also fewer hours for you to spend at work each day, which makes it easier for you to have time for your personal life and outside interests.
· You Can Develop New Skills
When you freelance, you have the opportunity to develop new skills that can help you in your career. For example, if you’re a freelance writer, you can learn new writing techniques by working with different clients. And if you’re a web designer, you can learn coding languages by working on different projects.
· Become an Expert in Your Field
When you freelance, you have the opportunity to become an expert in your field. This is because you can choose the projects that you want to work on and specialize in the areas that interest you the most. As a result, you can build up a strong reputation as an expert in your field, which can lead to more and better-paying projects.
· There’s Less Office Drama
As a freelancer, there’s little to no office drama because you get to go home after a long day. If anything goes wrong at work, it’s on your head as opposed to on someone else’s. Plus, in an office setting, often people will bring problems from work home with them whereas as a freelancer it is more difficult to do so because there isn’t anywhere else that they would go.
· Multiple Income Streams
As a freelancer, you have the opportunity to work with multiple clients and build multiple income streams. This can help you to diversify your earnings and insulate yourself from fluctuations in any one industry or sector. In addition, working with multiple projects allows you to diversify your skillset and expertise which will allow you to increase your earning potential over time.
· Endless Opportunities
As a freelancer, you have the opportunity to work with an array of clients on a variety of projects. This variety can keep you motivated and challenged, while also providing opportunities to learn new skills. Plus, as more companies outsource their services, there will be even more demand for freelancers in the future.
· Networking
As a freelancer, you’ll have the opportunity to meet new people and build relationships with potential clients. These connections can lead to new opportunities and help you grow your business. Not only will these connections expand your network, but they also give you more variety in terms of what types of projects you work on. The options are endless!
Things to avoid to become a successful freelancer
Being a freelancer can be very rewarding because it allows you to work on your terms, be location independent and work with people all over the world. However, there are also certain things that you should do if you want to become successful as a freelancer and here are some of them!
· Getting too comfortable
When you’re a freelancer, there’s no safety net. You don’t have the luxury of getting too comfortable because you never know when a project will dry up or when a client will decide to go in another direction. That’s why it’s important to always be on your toes and always be looking for new opportunities.
Get out there, network, attend conferences and continue learning. There are lots of ways to increase your value as a freelancer so that clients want to work with you again and again.
· Letting fear hold you back
Fear is normal when you’re starting as a freelancer. You might be afraid of not being good enough, of not finding clients, or of not being able to make ends meet. But if you let that fear hold you back, you’ll never get started. So take a deep breath and dive in! Put yourself out there and show the world what you can do. And remember, your work will speak for itself.
· Procrastinating
Putting off work until the last minute is one of the worst habits you can have as a freelancer. Not only does it make you look unprofessional, but it also puts unnecessary stress on you and can lead to rushed, sloppy work. If you want to be successful, learn to start and finish projects on time.
As soon as you know that you need to complete something, plan out your schedule so that it fits into your busy life. It will save you both money and headaches in the long run.
· Overcommitting yourself
When you’re first starting as a freelancer, it’s easy to want to take on every project that comes your way. But over-committing yourself can lead to missed deadlines, unhappy clients, and a bad reputation. It’s important to know your limits and only take on as much work as you can handle.
To keep track of the projects you’ve taken on, make a list of the jobs you have coming up. Then for each job, write down when the due date is, what needs to be done to complete the job by that date, and any resources or materials needed for completing the job
· Listening to naysayers
When you’re first starting as a freelancer, you’ll probably get a lot of flak from friends and family members who think you’re crazy for leaving the stability of a 9-to-5 job. Ignore the naysayers and follow your dreams. If you work hard, anything is possible.
· Not accepting failure as part of growth
One of the most important things to remember as a freelancer is that failure is part of the journey. Without failure, we can’t have growth. Embrace failure and learn from it so you can become even more successful in your freelance career. If you’re doing something that isn’t working for you then stop! Keep trying until something does work for you and if it doesn’t, try again!
The 5 Biggest Downsides of a Freelance Career
As with any career, there are upsides and downsides to freelancing. Although it has become a more mainstream option in recent years, there are still many people who haven’t considered this as an option and would like to know the pros and cons of being self-employed. With that in mind, here are five of the biggest drawbacks of freelancing to consider before deciding if it’s right for you.
1. No paid time off
One of the biggest downsides of being a freelancer is that there is no such thing as paid time off. This can be tough when you’re used to getting a regular paycheck every two weeks and suddenly have to go without income for an extended period. It’s also difficult because many companies don’t want to hire someone who has been out of work for more than six months.
2. Overwork is inevitable
When you’re a freelancer, there’s no such thing as clocking out or leaving work at the office. Your work is always with you, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of working around the clock. This can lead to burnout and resentment, both of which can harm your career.
One solution is to set boundaries in advance with clients, know when they expect work from you, be upfront about your deadlines, and don’t let them put pressure on you.
3. A stressful environment without easy distractions
As a freelancer, you’re constantly on the lookout for new clients and new projects. This can be stressful, especially when you don’t have any work lined up. And since you’re working from home, there are no easy distractions to take your mind off things. You also might not have co-workers to talk to about what’s bothering you.
4. Low-paying clients
One of the biggest downsides of freelance work is that it can be hard to find high-paying clients. When you’re just starting, you may have to take on lower-paying gigs to get your foot in the door. But as you build your portfolio and reputation, you can start charging more for your services.
That said, low-paying jobs are still a reality many freelancers must face. If you do choose to go this route, there are some ways to mitigate the impact of low paychecks.
5. Not having company benefits
When you’re a freelancer, you don’t have access to company benefits like health insurance, paid vacation days, or a 401k. This can be a major downside, especially if you have a family to support. You’ll also miss out on the camaraderie and work bonding that comes with working at an office with other people.
Conclusion
Freelancing can be an excellent career choice nowadays because it offers you the opportunity to work as an entrepreneur, set your hours, and earn more money. It helps you to get out of your office routine. Additionally, freelancers are often able to charge more than they would be able to if they were working as employees.
