Despite a severe global economic downturn, freelancing hasn’t slowed down. In fact, more people are taking on freelance work full-time than ever before. Over the last year, 59 million Americans have freelanced. Collectively, these workers generate an annual income of more than $1 trillion dollars.
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It’s a great way to get started
Though some may have been caught off-guard by the surge in freelancing following the pandemic, it’s not all bad news. Indeed, this trend continues to gain steam across both North America and Europe.
For those who don’t want to commit full time, this type of position offers a great alternative. Companies looking for cost savings may also find this solution beneficial by employing short-term project-based hires instead of long-term staffers.
A freelancer’s primary advantage over regular employees is that they possess their own tools and infrastructure, such as laptops, printers, software, and high-speed internet. Furthermore, freelancers usually come equipped with time tracking systems and ad hoc support services to get the job done quickly.
Although freelancers do not typically receive the same benefits as full-time employees, such as paid time off or equipment, they typically can purchase an insurance policy for their business. This will give you added peace of mind and make budget management simpler.
Freelancing offers the great benefit of flexibility; you can work on various projects at once. This can be an excellent way to increase your income and expand your clientele.
When searching for work, you need to do a lot of networking and marketing. That includes using social media to market yourself and build a portfolio of your achievements.
You must also be able to deliver high-quality work on schedule, plus keep track of your taxes and invoices. That’s why having an effective invoicing system from the beginning is so crucial.
You can scale up your income
Freelancing is an ideal way to increase your income without having to give up full time employment. By working more projects and earning higher rates, you’ll have more freedom and flexibility in managing your workload.
Passive income is an excellent way to accelerate the growth of your business. For instance, creating a digital product that you sell repeatedly to clients will provide you with a recurring revenue stream while still engaging in customer service activities.
Another way to expand your freelance business is by specializing in a niche. Doing this allows you to become an authority within a particular field and establish yourself as a trustworthy expert with the knowledge and skills needed for high-paying clients.
You can also take courses and network with other professionals in your niche to build relationships and gain insight into industry trends. Doing this may enable you to win more lucrative projects and enhance your reputation as a freelancer.
Finally, it’s essential to periodically raise your rates. Each year, consider increasing prices with existing clients by 5-10% and even more for new ones.
Increased rates will guarantee more revenue, which in turn helps your business expand and offer you more freedom to manage your schedule. This is especially crucial when just starting out, since there may not be enough work to cover all expenses.
If you’re a freelance writer, accountant or any other type of professional, it is time to think about ways to expand your business. This could involve providing more services, cutting back on billable hours or acquiring multiple clients simultaneously.
You can set your own pay
Freelancers have two options when it comes to paying themselves: keep their checkbook attached to the company treasury or opt for direct deposit. Which route they take will have an extensive financial effect on both their lifestyle and mental well-being.
One of the most challenging aspects of freelancing is being unable to predict your income from month to month. Therefore, setting up a separate checking account and starting saving for unexpected expenses is recommended.
Create an invoice that stands out from the competition and you might just end up making some extra cash. A professional invoice shows your clients you take their money seriously; plus, it could double as a sales tool to attract additional work in the future. Take time to ensure your invoice gets all of the attention it deserves – by taking care of it from start to finish. You won’t regret it!
You have the freedom to choose your clients
Being your own boss offers you the unique freedom to select which clients you work with. You can take on those clients who will pay you well and remain loyal, or turn away anyone who isn’t suitable for you. As a freelancer, this freedom can be especially appealing.
Neglecting those who don’t compliment you can be a drain on both energy and creativity, so if possible, try to avoid them at all costs. However, keep in mind that rejecting certain clients may result in losing some business opportunities.
It’s essential to remember that freelancing is still a business, with its own set of regulations. For instance, you are accountable for withholding employer and employee taxes (usually around 30% of your take-home pay), finding health insurance, setting up retirement savings plans, as well as learning how to manage billing and invoicing effectively.
New freelancers may find these rules to be intimidating, but with the right guidance you can leverage them to expand your business and earn significantly more money than you might otherwise make.
When starting out as a freelancer, it can be easy to let your emotions get in the way of making an informed decision about whether or not to accept a new client. But if you take time to research and be truthful about your business values, selecting the right clients will open doors to many more quality long-term customers in the future.
According to Upwork’s report, more than 59 million Americans engaged in freelance work over the past year. These workers generated earnings of $1.3 trillion for the U.S. economy this year – an increase of 22% compared to last year.
You can set your own schedule
During the pandemic, more jobs than ever before allowed workers to set their own hours. These include ride-share driving, video editing, graphic design and hair styling.
For many freelancers, this change brings with it more freedom and flexibility in their working lives. Furthermore, it gives them the chance to build a business with their own brand.
Freelancers are becoming an increasingly attractive option for younger workers seeking more flexible work arrangements. A recent survey revealed that half of Gen Z workers have freelanced within the past year.
This has led to an explosion of freelancers from all backgrounds. Some are experienced professionals such as attorneys or engineers, while others are newer professionals seeking an opportunity to gain more experience without being tied down by full-time employment commitments.
According to Rebecca Cohen, director of the Mom Project – a digital talent marketplace that connects women to remote and flexible job opportunities – this shift has been driven by an increasingly busy generation of women taking on more family responsibilities and seeking meaningful work that fits around their lifestyles. “Contract or freelance work have become more attractive for them due to their flexibility,” she said.
Another advantage of working as a freelancer is having the freedom to choose your clients. Whether they prove difficult to work with, don’t meet your standards or pay you what you deserve, having the power to part ways with a client is liberating and can help grow your business.
If you’re just starting out as a freelancer, it is essential to create an organized schedule that works for both personal and professional needs. While this may be challenging for gig workers to maintain consistency in their work, having an organized plan in place will result in increased efficiency, greater productivity levels and ultimately superior work quality.
Freelance marketplaces
Getting started as a freelancer can be difficult as some marketplaces are overly saturated. The tops marketplaces such as Upwork and Fiverr have millions of freelancers registered on their sites. It’s great for those that are already solidified and understand freelancing. But what about those just getting started or those that don’t understand how to market their skills?
Enter UJober. UJober is a freelance marketplace that has been around for over 5 years but unlike Upwork and Fiverr it isn’t oversaturated. Not only is the marketplace not saturated they also partner with their freelancers. In this unique way they help newbie freelancers level the playing field by marketing and promoting each service posted by the freelancer. This isn’t only helpful for individuals who are new to freelancing but to experienced freelancers as well who aren’t achieving success on the larger marketplaces.
It’s a wise decision to list your services on each of these marketplaces. This gives you more leverage and accessibility to clients. However one of these platforms actually is focused on the success of their freelancers and goes out and puts in work to see them succeed.
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