How to Know if Freelancing is Right for You
There are many traditional career paths that will always be held in high esteem, whether they take the shape of teachers, doctors, engineers or military personnel.
All of these jobs have a few things in common: they are usually paid on a salary basis and operate within hierarchical organizations.
While these careers are great options for those with access to and the desire to obtain a college education, there are other employment opportunities available in the form of freelancing.
Freelancing is a nontraditional way of generating income. It involves a self-employed person who takes on work and collects earnings on a job-by-job basis, as opposed to earning a salary or hourly wage.
Freelance work, while still a relatively newer pattern of employment, is increasingly gaining popularity amongst the United States’ fragmented workforce. If you are unsure about taking on freelance work, this list will present you with some considerations to think about that will help guide your decision!
Know That Freelance Work Can Mean Almost Anything
Freelance work is such a diverse field. You can utilize your skills and passions to make money from various types of jobs. For example, blogging, social media marketing, tutoring, graphic designing, working as a virtual assistant, or editing content can be completed from your very own living room!
If you’re looking to create a greater division between work life and home life while still working for yourself, there are different freelancing jobs available out in the world. You can plan parties, care for children and pets, or even become a contractor. There’s an abundance of information online whatever your choice. For example if you like to get hands-on and think contacting and construction might be for you, consult the NASCLA Contractors Guide to determine how to build credibility as a licensed contractor for construction work.
You Have to Embrace Change
A typical 9 to 5 job comes with consistency. Typically, you’ll always have work, as long as the company you’re employed with stays in business and you are a good employee.
As a freelancer, you are usually not bound to one job for very long. Once you complete an assigned job and receive payment, you move on and search for a new employer who’s willing to hire your services temporarily.
The nature of freelancing will inevitably result in some droughts, depending on the area you live in and the demand for your skills. However, know that with hard work and determination, you’ll be able to profit.
Be Your Own Boss
You will need a sense of independence and intrinsic motivation to keep your freelance operation going. It may take time for you to get yourself established in your line of work. Jobs will become available to you as you gain experience, so you can’t get discouraged easily.
You will also need a way of organizing the operations of your work. For example, the income that you earn as a freelancer must be properly handled. Learn the basics of accounting yourself, or hire a reliable accountant to perform your taxes to ensure you are being an ethically-conscious and law-abiding worker.
Side Gig or Full Time
Freelancing is ideal for the independent millennial who has the travel bug. As a freelancer, you won’t be confined to an office building in order to earn income. You can often perform work remotely, as long as you have reliable Internet access.
If you prefer to stay in one place, due to parenthood or personal preferences, it may be best to start your freelance gigs part-time and see how they affect your family and social life.
Freelance work, just like traditional employment, has both ideal and imperfect aspects to it. Consider this list and do some self-exploration to determine if freelance work is something you would like to take on!