For those searching for control and financial stability, freelancing is an attractive option. According to Forbes, the Freelance American Survey suggests that “50.9% of the U.S. population will be freelancing in 10 years.” Freelance jobs are jobs where people work for themselves instead of a company. The steps to starting freelance work, though can come with hardships, are fairly easy. Use this article to further educate yourself on the steps you need to take toward financial freedom.
Why is freelancing good?
Freelancing allows you to be your own boss giving you control over your time, workspace, clientele, and more. When you are a freelancer all the money you earn, apart from money deducted if you use any freelancing platforms such as Upwork, is yours. A full-time freelancing career can give you peace of mind since you have total control over how much money you make.
It gives you the opportunity to do what you love, but similar to any other job it comes with significant challenges. After facing these challenges you will gain confidence and the successful projects you create for yourself, in the end, will definitely be worth it.
What freelance jobs are there?
The list of freelance jobs available are endless but just to name a couple:
- Social Media Management
- Graphic Design
- Voiceover Acting
- Naming and Brand Consulting
- Copy Writing
- Illustrating
- Translating
- App Development
- Customer Service
- Programming
And the best part is that all these jobs can be completed from anywhere in the world where there is an internet connection.
Can I be a freelancer while working a regular job?
Since freelance work gives you the ability to work around your own schedule there are ways to balance it and a regular job. To successfully balance the two you should:
- Check your job contract. Some jobs prohibit workers from having a side job in fear of it interfering with their business
- Take full advantage of your free time so that you are not taking away from your real job.
- Only freelance on your own time. This will keep your freelance work and your real job separate.
- Make sure you still give 110% at your job.
If your goal is to keep your job and use freelancing to better your career you should have an honest conversation with your company telling them the kind of freelance work you will be doing, how it could better your career and the benefits it could bring to your job. In doing this you can ease any of your company’s fears.
If your goal is to transition from a regular job to a freelancing career you should start building your freelance career as soon as possible, start taking on projects if your current workload allows it. Once you have started freelancing a way to grow is networking. Connections can bring you people who have a job for you or who can refer you to someone else. You should tell as many people as possible about your projects.
Freelancing is a real job that comes with many obstacles so if your goal is to make a quick buck I would not recommend it, instead try Uber.
What are freelance sites & are they safe?
Freelance websites are platforms that help connect freelancers to employers that are in need of their services. Making it easier for you to find the type of freelance work that you find interesting or cater to your abilities. Giving you absolute control over the amount of work you wish to have and want to do. They are a great way to get your career started and to help build long-lasting relationships with potential clients. Popular freelance websites include:
- Fiverr
- Upwork
- PeoplePerHour
- Toptal
These sites are typically safe since they work as a middleman between you and a potential client without risking the safety of your personal information. They usually offer payment protected services so you don’t have to worry about not being properly rewarded for the services that you have provided. However, scammers may still try to communicate with you through these sites. So it is not recommended to communicate outside of these websites. Although, if you do decide to take the risk make sure to keep the amount of personal information you share with them to a minimum.
How can I start?
First, you will need to find a profitable niche that works with your talents. Find a field of freelance work that highlights your abilities and has freelance work you’re interested in or love to do.
Then begin working on a portfolio of your past projects to showcase your abilities. Building a great portfolio of your best work can help separate you from your competition and increase your chances of getting the freelance work you’re interested in.
Finally, be confident when applying for jobs and stay persistent. If you feel like you are capable of completing a given job, pursue it, and never let anyone tell you can’t. Never let job rejection make you lose hope, you won’t get every job you apply for so just move on and look for the next best opportunity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a successful freelancing career can offer many benefits because of its flexibility. Freelance work gives you the ability to work from home doing what you love leaving time for your priorities such as hobbies and families.
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