The global economy changed job opportunities immensely during the last 15 years, and thanks to the digital technology, once “reserved for elite cool jobs like Nat Geo photographers”, the life of a freelancer is now available to most of us.
Working “freelance” means working as a self employed independent contractor, not necessarily committed to any employer long-term, having the freedom to complete different work for various companies or individuals.
This life comes with many challenges and lots of advantages, but, according to some, a few disadvantages as well. Benefits of freelancing are many, and we will mention some of them later in the article. For the cons, individuals usually find questionable financial stability, taking care of bills and taxes, obtaining and maintaining work equipment and isolation some of the biggest challenges while working independent.
However, in my opinion, and a 10-year long freelancing career as a professional web developer, advantages significantly outweigh disadvantages.
The web is full of all kinds of articles written in the manner of “Is freelancing for you”, “Why you shouldn’t freelance”, “Billion things to do before you make the leap” e.t.c., making it seem daunting or even straight-up impossible to go freelance.
Don’t believe everything you read, as someone else’s impossible just might be your very doable.
You do need to be skilled at your profession, and it will require work and patience, lots of trial and error, but as you surely know by now, (almost) nothing in life comes easy.
Still having second thoughts?
Here is a list of 10 reasons why you should make the freelance leap.
1) Freedom
Right. So let’s dive straight into this: You can work from anywhere in the world. Let that sink in. You can work from anywhere in the world. This part alone is enough of an incentive to go freelance. I’ve worked everywhere from Thailand beaches, English pubs, cheap Cambodia’s hostels, and 5 star Egypt hotels. The only thing I needed was my laptop and a WI-FI. Sure, it would be better if I didn’t have to work at all, but hey, if works needs to be done, these locations sure beat my former agency office.
Even if being a digital nomad is not your thing, you can work out of the comfort of your home and organize work according to your rhythm. Which brings us to No2 on our list.
2) Better quality of life
Spend more time with family and friends doing what you really want to do. Life is short. Do you really want to be spending most of your days locked in an office waiting for that 30 minute break, with the boss breathing down your neck? Wouldn’t you prefer to create your own daily schedule?
3) Choosing your career path
You make the decisions. You can pick your clients. You can work on projects that benefit your career. Obviously, sometimes you will have to take on something which is not extremely enticing but will pay the bills. That is a small price to pay for the possibility to evolve in the direction you prefer, and take on projects that keep you on that path.
You want to learn React? You don’t need to wait for the opportunity to arise to use the language. Take on a front-end related project and start hacking away!
4) Greater earning potential
When you work for a company, you (usually) get paid a fixed fee, and, if you re lucky, a bonus here and there. When working for yourself, you can opt to work more and consequently earn more. You can also sharpen your sales skills and possibly work less and earn more. You see where I’m going with this?
“But there is a risk of me not securing enough work” — I can almost hear you protest. Sure, but do you really think your current job is 100% secure? Do you want to put your financial stability in the hands of someone else, or do you think it would be smarter for you to take the wheel?
5) Set your own working hours
As a freelancer, you control your hours. If you are a morning person, you can start early. If you like to sleep in, you can work nights. If your daughter has a birthday, you can simply take the day off end spend those precious moments away from work.
When you work for an employer or an agency, you will never be free to make those decisions or truly realize your full potential.
6) No limitations.
The internet has opened up amazing opportunities. One does not need to work within the boundaries of a city or a country anymore.
With a knowledge of a world language like English, you can start networking all over the world. All you need is an internet connection and the whole world becomes your marketplace.
7) No more bosses.
One of the best aspects of working freelance is you get to make all the calls.
Even though there will be clients trying to press you with short deadlines and bully you around, ultimately it is your choice whether you want to take on the work or just decide it is not worth it. Returning the deposit to a rude and needy client explaining them you may not be a good fit and wishing them luck with their endeavors is extremely liberating.
They are hiring you for your expertise in a certain type of work. They do not own you. Stand up for yourself and get away from those type of clients. You are free to do so.
8) Distancing yourself from corporations
Although clients will set specifications for the work assigned to you, you are still an independent contractor and can control the manner in which that work is completed.
You get to distance yourself from everything that is wrong with the corporations and run your business like you want it to. Take care of the environment. Recycle. Treat your clients respectfully. When working with other freelancers, treat them fairly, pay on time. Be the change you want in the business world.
9) You can delegate work to others.
Even though you are flying solo as a freelancer, you do not need to do all the work yourself.
If you are fully booked, you can easily outsource other freelancers to do parts of or even whole projects. You can hire anywhere in the world and manage your own team. The sky is the limit here. There are many professionals looking for work same as you do, and they range from $10/hr for data entry work to hundreds of dollars per hour for advanced development. You can help each other.
10) You get your life back.
Get out of the rat race of working for someone else, manage your time and reclaim your life.
You’ve only got the one.
Are you a freelance professional? Or looking to become one? What are your experiences? Let us know in the comments!
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