10 Brilliant Benefits of Freelance Life
Freelancing isn’t always easy. You have to advertise your services, manage your own workload, and sometimes chase up clients for payment. But freelancing has advantages too. So if you’re not sure whether it’s for you, check out our top 10 benefits of freelance life:
- Enjoying flexible hours
- Working remotely, wherever you want
- Being your own boss
- Pursuing your passions
- Improving your skill set
- Controlling your compensation and earnings
- Testing a start-up or small business concept
- Controlling your workload
- Earning from multiple sources of income
- Avoiding office politics
1. Flexible Hours
On the subject of conventional working hours, we agree with Dolly Parton:
Workin’ nine to five: what a way to make a livin’
Barely gettin’ by; it’s all takin’ and no givin’
They just use your mind, and they never give you credit
It’s enough to drive you crazy if you let it
And if, like Dolly, the nine-to-five drives you crazy, freelance life offers an alternative.
As a freelancer, you control your hours. If you’re not a morning person, then work later in the day. If you have an appointment somewhere in the afternoon, there’s no need to book a day off. Just make up the time later. In other words, as a freelancer, you work to your own schedule – a freedom that nearly 80% of freelancers say is a top reason they made the transition!
2. Remote Work
According to a report from Upwork, 60% of freelancers work remotely – this is compared to just 32% of non-freelance professionals. Freelancing naturally lends itself to location independence: The world becomes your office.
When you’re no longer confined to a dreary workspace, you have the freedom to work from home, a bustling café, or even atop a mountain (with Wi-Fi, of course). Armed with just a laptop and an internet connection, you can choose where you work, allowing yourself to embrace the freedom of location – and even travel the world while you work.
3. Decision-Making Power
Saying no is one of the great pleasures of freelance life. Suppose someone offers you a rate far below what you usually work for. Or they ask for a service you’re not comfortable providing. Or maybe a client is being rude and unpleasant. Just politely say no and move on!
It might take you a while to build enough business to feel happy about turning down work, but the key thing is that you are your own boss. And this means you’re in control of which jobs you take on, which clients you work with, and what terms you take work under.
4. Passion Projects
Freelance life isn’t all work. In fact, one of the benefits of freelancing is that you can pursue other interests at the same time. This is why so many creatives – authors, actors, artists – also work as freelancers. We’ve had several such people graduate from Knowadays!
This applies whatever your passion might be. So whether you’re looking for a job that allows you to volunteer more, gives you freedom to write the novel you’ve been planning, or simply lets you spend more time with family, freelance life could work for you.
5. Improved Skill Set
As a freelancer, you have the freedom to explore various projects and work with diverse clients. This benefit enables you to expand your skill set, whether you’re honing your expertise in a particular field or acquiring new, in-demand skills.
In fact, nearly 90% of freelancers surveyed by Fiverr said their clients are specifically looking for professionals with specialized skills and expertise. That demand is driving continuous learning: 65% of freelancers upgraded their skills in 2023, and 42% planned to continue doing so in 2024.
You can take on challenging assignments that push your boundaries, learn from different industries, and gain valuable experience that enhances your professional capabilities. Embracing the freelance life means embracing a constant journey of growth and improvement.
6. Compensation and Earnings Control
Unlike traditional employment where salaries are often predetermined, as a freelancer, you have the autonomy to set your own rates and negotiate your compensation. You can directly benefit from your hard work and expertise by charging what you believe is fair and adjusting your rates as you gain experience and proficiency.
And it pays off – literally. The number of freelancers who earn more than they did in traditional jobs has steadily increased: In 2021, 44% said they earned more from freelancing, up from 39% in 2020 and just 32% in 2019.
The ability to control your earnings allows you to create a more financially rewarding career in which your efforts correlate directly with your income.
7. Ability to Test a Start-Up or Small Business Concept
Ever had that one thing or idea you always wanted to try? Becoming a freelancer gives you the time to fulfill those ambitions for which you’ve previously lacked time.
If you have an innovative idea or a business concept you’d like to explore, freelancing can serve as a launchpad. By offering your services on a freelance basis, you can gauge market demand, gather feedback, and refine your offerings. This flexibility enables you to validate your business idea while minimizing financial risks.
8. Self-Determined Workload
As a freelancer, you have the power to determine the number of projects you take on at any given time. So you can strike a balance between work and personal life, avoiding burnout and maintaining your overall well-being. Whether you prefer a steady stream of projects or occasional bursts of intense work, freelancing allows you to tailor your workload to suit your preferences and lifestyle.
9. Multiple Sources of Income
Freelancing opens up the possibility of creating multiple streams of income. Instead of relying on a single employer or job, you have the freedom to diversify your income sources by taking on various projects, clients, and collaborations.
In this way, you’re ready for the ebbs and flows of work by earning from small assignments while negotiating for a larger project. You can also enjoy variety in your workweek!
10. No Office Politics
Finally, another benefit of escaping office life is that you also escape office politics. No freelancer has to deal with a bad boss making unreasonable demands. You don’t have to pick up the slack for lazy colleagues. And you don’t have to get involved in endless gossip and rumors.
Instead, you can just get on with your job, help your clients, and earn a living on your own terms.
Becoming A Freelancer
If that sounds more appealing than your current job, why not take a look at our courses? You could launch a new career in proofreading, editing, copywriting, or content writing, plus pick up relevant skills to boost your earning potential from the outset! We even have a course dedicated to helping you set up your own freelance business. Plus, you can sample two lessons from any course for free!
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