There is so much to love about freelancing! People are motivated to start a side hustle for many different reasons, but the benefits of the gig economy tend to be universal. If you’re looking for some inspiration to launch your first side hustle, here are twenty things that we love about freelancing.
Decide Your Own Working Hours.
Sick of working 9-5? No problem! When you’re a freelancer, you can work whenever you like, providing you get the job done on time. You can adapt your work as a freelancer around your family life and hobbies, not the other way around.
Work from Home.
As a freelancer, you can set up an office in your home and save a heap of money. You also save time commuting, meaning more time with your family and friends, which is a huge bonus.
Work from Anywhere!
But equally, if you like the idea of working from your favourite coffee shop or in a co-working space, that’s okay too! Just pack up your laptop, grab some headphones, and set up your desk wherever you like.
Earn While Travelling.
Gone are the days of having to work a dead-end job for months to save money for travelling. Thanks to freelancing, you can earn great money while you’re on the road, giving you the very best of both worlds.
Pursue Your Passions.
Freelancing or starting a side hustle allows you to pursue your passions. If you’ve always dreamed of being a writer, photographer, or small business owner, freelancing is your chance to turn that dream into a reality and pursue your passions in life.
Set Your Own Prices.
Working in the gig economy means you’re self-employed, and you’re in control of the prices that you charge for your services. You don’t need to negotiate pay rises or salary bands, as you set your own prices per hour, day, or project, which allows you to stay in control of your earnings.
Choose Your Clients.
When working for a company, you can’t pick and choose the clients you work with. If you don’t like a particular client, you have no choice but to get on with the work. However, as a freelancer, you can turn down work from clients that you don’t see eye-to-eye with!
Earn Income from Multiple Sources.
It’s common for freelancers to work with a broad range of clients and earn money from multiple sources. This means that if the money dries up from one source, freelancers can rely on their other avenues of income generation and don’t need to worry about paying the bills at the end of the month.
Enjoy Unlimited Holidays!
Lots of companies are incredibly tight when it comes to issuing holidays! But, as a freelancer, you can go on holiday whenever you like, as often as you like. So, if you’re in desperate need of a break to recharge your batteries, you can jet off into the sun without having to consult your boss or HR department first.
No Income Ceiling.
Freelancers can earn as much money as they’re capable of. It’s not uncommon to hear of gigsters earning six figures a year after starting from scratch. While working for a company within a particular industry comes with an income ceiling, the life of a freelancer provides you with the freedom to earn whatever you can bill yourself, which is incredibly exciting.
Be Your Own Boss.
Freelancers are independent spirits who don’t have to take orders from management. While it’s super important to listen to your clients and deliver what they request, it’s not the same as being under the control of a manager, day in, day out.
Improve Your Skillset.
You have so many opportunities to improve your skillset when you’re a freelancer. Every project gives you the chance to learn something new, and you can invest in personal and professional development courses to boost your qualifications in your chosen industry.
Meet Lots of People.
Although you spend large amounts of time working on your own from your laptop, life as a gigster also introduces you to many new people. You can develop long-lasting and even personal relationships with your clients, many of whom become friends as you collaborate more frequently together.
Offer Various Services.
Working in an appointed position within a company can be tedious, requiring you to do the same tasks day after day. But as a freelancer, you have the freedom to offer a range of services to your clients, which gives you the chance to vary your work schedule and keep things interesting.
Become a Digital Nomad.
There’s a massive growth in the digital nomad lifestyle right now, and for a good reason. As a freelancer, you can jump from city to city, earning money and having the time of your life. Many countries have even introduced digital nomad visas to attract remote workers like you to their shores!
Start with Nothing.
There’s something romantic about the life of a freelancer. Most gigsters start their hustle with nothing more than a laptop and an internet connection and grow their freelancing business into a vast operation. Providing you’ve got the talent, the sky is very much the limit when it comes to growth as a freelancer.
Reduce Your Outgoings.
If you spend most of your time working from home as a freelancer, you can significantly reduce your financial expenditure. You don’t have to pay for transport, expensive morning coffees, or daily lunches from your favourite deli (if you don’t want to). Life as a freelancer can help you get your monthly expenses under control.
Build Your Own Business.
So many people dream of building their own business but struggle to know how to start. Launching a side hustle and earning money as a freelancer is a perfect way to begin your own business. As your client base expands, you can start outsourcing work and hiring people to help you, and before you know it, you’re running your own successful business!
Start Several Side Hustles.
As a freelancer, you don’t have to limit yourself to one side hustle. You can offer your services in several disciplines and increase your potential earnings significantly. It’s common for freelancers to increase their output as they develop more experience and respond to the ever-changing needs of their clients.
Realize Your Potential.
Finally, freelancing is all about realizing your potential. So many people are stuck in mundane office jobs worldwide, with little prospect of personal development. Starting a side hustle and working as a freelancer is a wonderful way of realizing your full potential and continually developing your skills and attributes as you progress.
