Becoming a Freelancer: Why Remote Work May Be For You
This is the third in a series of blogs about the benefits of using freelancers. Take note that we’re talking about freelancers who are disciplined and highly skilled in their craft – not the thousands of unskilled contract workers unfortunately found on the majority of platforms that exploit freelancers for hire. Read the other articles here:
Are you tired of the corporate setting? Has the 8-5 work week sapped your creativity? Are you suffering from a lack of work/life balance? Here’s a revelation for you; there’s no need to stay stuck in your rut.
Freelancing may be the ticket out of the office doldrums. We’re not talking about leaving work behind; freelance work is a different kind of freedom that can allow you to work on your own time.
Not just anyone can be a freelancer. You need to have the dedication, skill, and hustle to take on clients and tackle your workload. If you are interested in casting off the shackles of the everyday work week, here are nine reasons why freelancing may be for you.
Because ContentMender has a sharp focus on written content, we will frequently mention freelance writing – but the same points are true across any freelance profession.
9. Build Your Own Schedule
One perk of being a freelancer is designing your own schedule. If the current 8-5 or 9-5 rat race isn’t for you, heading out on your own grants you more flexibility.
Freelancing provides you the opportunity to choose your own hours, and that means working when it’s most convenient for you. If you need more wiggle room with your hours or you prefer to tap into those creativity at night, you can do the work on your own time.
Each person has a time that works best for them when it comes to focus and creativity, and many are not in the 9-5 norm; freelancing breaks you away from that issue.
8. You Decide Your Own Workload
Are you willing to take on a ton or just enough? Freelance gives you the option of controlling your workload. If you aren’t ready to make the full-time plunge, or you want to start building your portfolio, you can start by doing some part-time jobs on the side.
If you are having no trouble finding work, you can dive right into full-time freelancing. There are no set hours that you must hit, so you can take on as much or as little as you’d like.
7. Define Your Niche and Expertise
As a freelance writer, you can decide on your focus: fitness writing, blogs, web content, and so on. Instead of spreading yourself thin, you can become an expert in your niche. While it’s good to have a well-rounded portfolio, as you grow, you get to choose what area to work in.
You can sample a few different styles when you get started and then decide what works best for you. As you gain more experience, you can be more selective about writing gigs. It’s always good to try a bit of everything and discover your passion.
6. You Are Your Own Boss
While you will have clients with expectations, you get to decide which projects you will take on. You won’t have a “boss” micromanaging your work or watching your every move (unless you micromanage yourself!)
While you don’t have anyone to report to, you have to be your own boss. You are in charge of securing clients, managing time, and producing quality work. To get and keep your clientele, you should be at the top of your game.
5. Better Work/Life Balance
Much like when you decide what time you work, you can decide how often. You schedule can mold around your livelihood. If you need to spend time with your family, take a trip, or enjoy some free-time, you could make it happen.
There’s no worry about using “time” when you are sick or need to attend appointments. You work around your own schedule.
It’s a common misconception that freelancing doesn’t have security. If you play your cards right, freelancing can be more secure than being a full-time employee.
When you work for a company, there’s a chance of being laid-off or let go from a position. Your job loss can come as a shock and with it goes your steady source of income.
With freelancing, you can have many different clients. As a contracted worker, you can anticipate when a job is coming to an end. Losing a client won’t mean losing your entire income. You can easily work around it and find new clients to fill in the gaps.
3. Cutting Out the Commute
A nice bonus that comes with freelancing is cutting out the commute. You can drop that 15-60-minute drive down to a 3-minute walk into your office. You only need to go as far as your computer.
This not only saves you time, but money on gas, car maintenance, and “business-casual” attire. You aren’t bound to your home by any means. You can work from anywhere – anywhere you can have a solid internet connection and creative inspiration.
2. Increased Income
Freelancers aren’t bound to a salary. You can make as much as you want, provided you want to put in the time to complete the work. You can take on as many jobs as you like and ultimately earn more.
Be wary though; you don’t want to overextend yourself and put out less quality work. Also, be prepared for times when you may not be able to find enough work to maintain maximum income. With some careful planning, you can do very well for yourself.
1. Freedom
If working full-time feels like a cage, freelancing will grant you your freedom. If you want to decide when, where, and how much work you take on, this is the path for you.
It lets you live life by your terms. Keep in mind, there are pros and cons to jumping in full-time; if you want to test the waters, you can always try part-time. The option is yours. If any of these reasons speak to you, take a step out of the office and see where it takes you.
