Our top 6 benefits of a freelancing life.
As the business world has developed and adapted over the past few years, freelance careers and freelancing have really taken off as a desirable and worthwhile pursuit and it is easy to see why.
So what is freelancing?
The term is used to describe a career in which a person works for themselves and is hired on a project-by-project basis by different organisations.
Freelancing can be an incredibly daunting prospect for some as you don’t have the security of consistent work, however, others find freelancing a form of freedom: you are your own boss, you can work on projects that interest you, you have the ability to choose when and where you work – all allowing you to have a great deal of control over your life and career, which can be incredibly empowering.
How do you start?
The best thing to do if you are thinking about leaving behind employment, or going straight into freelancing after graduation or leaving school, is to know what you are getting yourself into. It’s incredibly important to understand all implications of what you are jumping into. Although you should have some idea what freelancing is like, you can always try it for a short period of time to see if it is a good fit for you.
One of the best ways to get a taste of freelancing is to do it as a side job whilst still in employment. This will give you a good idea of the work and hours required from you as well as the benefits you can take advantage of.
If you are uncertain as to whether or not freelancing is the best option for your future, then take a look at our top 6 benefits of freelancing. They might help convince you to give freelancing a try and explore this fulfilling career path:
1) Flexible Hours
One of the key benefits is the freedom and the flexibility it allows. If you are restricted, whether you have childcare to worry about or are concerned about work-life balance, freelancing can offer you refuge. Freelancing, depending on your industry, will allow you to set your own time of work, how long you work and where you work. This can be a huge benefit, allowing freelancers to be able to spend time with their family or take care of their children whilst still being able to work. Keep in mind that organisation is key, and you will still have to put in a solid amount of hours to make your freelance business work.
2) Self-Management
You are your own boss and if being an employee feels like being confined in your role, then freelancing may be for you. You make all the decisions, from the hours you work to the project you choose to work on. This can be liberating for some people and allows them to flourish. You will need to be confident, eager to learn and able to handle running a business if you want to succeed as a freelancer.
3) Improved Skill Set
As you will be your own boss and be the owner of your freelance business, it will push you to build on your skills. This can be a great way to expand your abilities and generally increase your skills. Also, if you focus on a niche, then you can build skills in your niche and become an expert.
4) Money
When you work as a freelancer, there really aren’t any limits as to how much you can earn.
Of course, you need to have competitive rates but if you establish yourself as an expert in your field you can make more money. It will also mean that more you work and the bigger projects you take on, the higher your income will be. Additionally, if you are running your business as a limited company, you will likely be taxed less than if you were an employee.
Freelancers often have the opportunity to work with multiple clients at once, giving them the chance to diversify their income streams. This may help to get better control of your finances and give you the ability to plan out how much money you want to earn.
5) Location flexibility
With the increase of freelancers, especially freelance writers, the remote workforce and working from home is growing. One benefit that comes with this is the ability to live anywhere, as opposed to staying local to where you work. Many freelancers leave the security of office life because they are simply tired of, or unable to, remain centrally located in the office.
This also means there’s no commute to work since freelancers can work from anywhere. This saves money on things like gas, parking, and train tickets.
6) Meet new people – make new contacts
As a freelancer, you have the opportunity to set your own rules and work with people and clients that fit with you and your values. Open up those opportunities by joining local networking groups and co-working spaces, to promote who you are and what you can offer…and before long, you will have a supportive, like-minded community in which to share ideas and experiences.
How can we help?
Perch Co-working has a high proportion of freelancers – for some it is all brand new; for others successful and top of their game…but they can remember what it was like to be where you are right now! Over the next few weeks, we will be posting a series of helpful best tips on how to succeed as a freelancer.
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If you would like more information on how we can help support you on your journey, please get in touch.
Call 01869 690126 or email [email protected]
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