Is Freelance Work the Future of the Job Market?

By Gabrielle Seunagal
 
A freelancer is defined as a person who works as a writer, designer, performer, or the like, selling work or services by the hour, day, job, etc., rather than working on a regular salary basis for one employer. In previous times, freelancing was looked down upon and even synonymous with being out of work. However, this sentiment has changed drastically. 55 million people in the United States are freelancing which equates to approximately 35% of the U.S. workforce. Annually, freelancers contribute $1 TRILLION dollars to the economy and 63% of freelancers launched their careers by choice rather than out of necessity.
 
The high demand for freelancers is global. The international demand to network and acquire clients makes freelancing the most viable choice for any individual who seeks financial freedom, success, and the perks of being one’s own boss. Freelancing is not only available for writers. Any person with even one of the following skill sets is eligible to become a freelancer: content marketing, writing, editing, translating, software/web developing, graphic designing, virtual assistance, future technology, etc. Wouldn’t you rather pick your own schedule, income, and place of work, and build your business as an independent contractor instead of spending decades in service to someone else who does not truly appreciate your time, energy, and sacrifice?

 
The merits of working as a freelancer greatly outweigh any slightly positive offshoots of working as an employee. The most obvious merit is stated in an age old quote: “You will never become rich working for someone else.” This reality sadly goes over the heads of countless people. Working hard as an employee will never result in affluence, success, or greatness. Employees are not paid or meant to become rich. Employees are hired to make other people rich. The  best way to become wealthy is to become self employed. Freelancing is an immensely rewarding form of self employment and serves as excellent motivation to hone current skills and acquire additional ones.
The biggest critics of freelancers generally hone in on the supposed inconsistency of payment and the lack of a paycheck every two weeks. These people fail to realize that no paycheck every two weeks serves as an effective incentive for freelancers to demonstrate professionalism and responsibility since those two attributes engender good reviews which breeds more clients and more pay. Successful freelancers develop satisfactory working relationships with their customers and in doing so, they retain them.
 
Some people might ask where to go about finding work as a freelancer. The best place for any freelancer is on the following platforms: Upwork and Fiverr. I use both of these services and have earned thousands of dollars within my first few months  as a writer. Upwork and Fiverr are updated each day with new jobs and  millions of clients who seek to hire freelancers. Upwork is the largest global freelancing website. Both platforms contain no monthly fees and a plethora of opportunities to grow and earn a significant profit. Upwork and Fiverr also protect freelancers from clients who attempt to opt out of paying for requested services. All methods of communication, hiring, and payment are tracked through Upwork and Fiverr. If any conflicts arise, the support teams will handle the matter effectively and professionally.
Moreover, freelancers are not the only parties who benefit from their line of work. Companies and businesses now have a wider pool to seek out talented individuals offering services that will build their brands. Instead of going through the hassle of hiring employees to perform tasks, businesses and companies can hire independent contractors from anywhere in the world. Adding or subtracting workers is accomplished with the click of a button.
One of the most significant upsides of the freelance market is the opportunity it provides to people who are plighted with disadvantaged homelands like India, Venezuela, and the Philippines. Hourly wages in these nations are significantly lower than American ones; the ability to freelance permits these people to earn reasonable incomes, thus bettering the quality of their lives. In fact, the world is seeing a rapid increase of freelance software developers, graphic designers, and writers. Talented people should be paid for their work and the freelance market promotes this. Those who join the freelance world are not only bettering themselves but also contributing to a market which is rapidly becoming an entity of the future.
What do you think? Are you, reader, ready to join the 55 million Americans working as freelancers? Would you rather work tirelessly to make someone else rich or create your own wealth? Would it shock you to learn that the majority of people who left their full time careers to become freelancers made more in a year than they did at their previous place of employment. The choice is yours. You can spend your years to help someone else build their dream or you can transform your dreams into your reality.
Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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15 thoughts on “Is Freelance Work the Future of the Job Market?”

          • Brought up in a small town and got loaned out as a kid a lot to help neighbors. Learned how to work with my hands…carpentry, concrete, auto repair, etc. College taught me critical thinking (pre PC marxist control) and combining the two I could insinuate myself into just about any occupation I wanted.
            The millinials with their helicopter parents had little chance at harvesting skills when they could hardly ever be away from home. We were the gen of kids whose moms were at home and when we came home from school it was “I’m going out to…play, work, etc.” and she would say “Be home for dinner.”

          • Your story is amazing. Sadly in these days, college has become a debt trap and a cesspool of liberal indoctrination. I was forced to skip haha. But it’s amazing that you learned so many skills at such a young age. Skills are critical for success.

          • What is really sad is my story was normal back then. The girls often worked with the guys and learned basics like changing oil, plugs, flat tires or how to saw a board, etc.
            Too bad you had to miss out on the good college days but that has made you who you are today hey?
            I believe the controllers have put a lot of effort at squashing self reliance in people.

          • OMG so true! It’s really sad. Modern day schools are human warehouses. Nothing of value is taught. Why teach about 1x/24y*z when you could teach young people how to budget or write a business plan. Self employment was never discussed when I was in high school! It’s a farce!

          • In jr. high we already had cursive writing, and had actual history classes. PE classes were boxing, flag football, baseball, wrestling, rope climbing and other alpha male behavior now frowned upon.
            High school we had “electives” like machine, auto, and wood shop.

          • A friend and I meet on Mondays fir some good conversation. Sometimes he brings his home schooled five year old. The kid is like a 30 yo in a little guys body. ????
            He csn converse on a very high level giving insights and ideas. Wonderful.

          • That’s amazing. Honestly, in these times, home schooling might be the best option for young people who want to succeed. The schools are awful. I can’t tell you how agonizing high school was for me. I was so traumatized by the brain dead kids and irrelevant classes that I skipped all four homecoming ceremonies, prom, and even graduation. The day I finished high school, I moved out of my mom’s apt.

          • I have tried to encourage the idea, having grown up poor, that people say goodbye to msndatory indoctrinstion prisons and form group teaching centers in their homes. Lots of old school skilled folks could offer their best.
            If a kid can learn the basic skills of readin, cursive writing and math they could get good labor jobs like plumbing, carpentry, electricisn, etc. and make decent saleries. Saw a guy on Fox that has a show somewhere on the tube teaching that philosophy.

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