In this post, I’m going to share with you what I’ve found to be the biggest benefits of being a freelancer. Before I begin, I’d like to share a quick timeline of my journey to give you perspective on my experience.
May, 2018 – I graduate from college with a B.A. in Marketing.
October, 2018 – I accept a job offer and work as a full-time employee for an established company.
April, 2019 – I begin freelancing on the weekends and in evenings for extra cash, maintaining my full-time job.
March 2020 – I resign from my full-time job and become a full-time freelancer.
I have truly loved my experience since taking the step to freelancing full-time. Here are what I’ve found to be some of the biggest benefits of the deal.
1. You Are Your Own Boss
One of the great things about being a freelancer is that you get to be your own boss. You can set your own hours, choose your own projects, and take as many breaks as you need.
Freelancing does come with a lot of responsibility. As a freelancer, you are in charge of operating your business. This includes being responsible for your:
- Bookkeeping
- Marketing
- Human resources
- Production
- Operations
- Customer support
- Everything!!!
Your head will never go cold with all the hats you will wear. Personally, I have enjoyed the versatility of bouncing between such different day-to-day tasks.
If you’re the type of person who thrives on challenges and enjoys working independently, then freelancing could be a great option for you.
2. You Can Work From Anywhere
As a freelancer, one of the great things about the job is that you can work from anywhere.
As long as you have a computer and a stable internet connection, you can set up shop anywhere in the world. This offers a great advantage for those interested in traveling extensively while still being able to earn a living.
For many, working remote can mean avoiding the daily commute.
In my first career, I spent 1 hour each day driving to and from my office. I would spend around $3,500/year on gas, which was not reimbursed by the company.
Most importantly, the time spent commuting added up to roughly 230 hours each year.
This significant time and financial commitment was eliminated once I became a full-time freelancer.
3. You Can Set Your Own Hours
As a freelancer, one of the great things is that you can set your own hours.
Of course, this means you also have to be disciplined enough to stick to a schedule, but it can be very freeing to know that you don’t have to be in the office from 9-5.
There will be times when you have deadlines and will need to put in some extra hours, but for the most part you can decide when you want to work and how much you want to work.
This flexibility is one of the main reasons why people choose to freelance and it can be a great way to earn a living if you are disciplined with managing your time.
4. You Can Earn More Money
When it comes to earning potential, there are a lot of advantages to being a freelancer.
For starters, you can often charge more per hour than you would earn at a traditional job.
Since you’re generally paid by the project, you have the potential to earn a lot more money in a shorter period of time.
Some freelancers are able to create packages for their services. For example, a Google Ads specialist may offer to manage an account for $300/month.
By forming these arrangements, a freelancer can rely on consistent revenue being generated over a long period of time.
Keep in mind, you may have periods of time when work dries up and you don’t make as much money. In the several years I have been freelancing, December is notoriously slow and January is unusually busy.
Once you are freelancing long enough, you will be able to forecast what future months will look like and make informed decisions based on the historical data.
If you’re able to find consistent work, freelancing can be a great way to earn more money than you would at a traditional job.
5. You Have More Freedom & Flexibility
When you work for yourself, you have a lot more freedom and flexibility. You can set your own hours, take time off when you want, and work from anywhere.
If you’re good at what you do, you can make a lot of money. Yes, being your own boss comes with its own set of challenges.
You have to be extra organized and self-motivated, and you need to be able to market yourself and find clients.
If any of these reasons sound appealing to you, then freelancing may be a great option for you.
If you do your research and go into it with your eyes open, freelancing can be a fantastic way to make a living on your own terms.
