It is no secret that the freelance economy has been growing expeditiously in the past few years and shows no signs of slowing down. To illustrate just how big the gig economy is, CNBC reports that the market was valued at a whopping $1.2 trillion in 2020 alone. And with the onset of the pandemic triggering the mass shift towards remote working and digital nomadism (aspects plucked right out of the freelance playbook) it is expected that this growth will exceed initial predictions. 

Because of its ever-expanding reach, it would not be wrong to assume that you know several people who are actively freelancing or have dabbled in it before. No longer restricted to young urbanites in developed countries, freelancers are cropping up across all generations and in all corners of the globe. They’re challenging the norms of traditional work culture that often disadvantage women and the disenfranchised, slowly leading the world to more equality. On top of this, freelancers get to pick the clients they’d like to work with, earn more compared to their employed counterparts, set their own timelines and enjoy a better work-life balance. 

So if you’ve been wondering what your freelancer friend means when they say they can “work from anywhere”, or you’ve been wanting to know how to get in on the action, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we give you a run through of the basics of freelancing; telling you all you need to know about freelancers, and at the very end, enlighten you on why Ureed.com is your best bet to having a worthwhile freelancing career.

• Freelancers have agency over their careers

If you’ve been employed, you know how little of a say you have over what work your bosses take on and what projects are assigned to you. Unless you’re upper management, most jobs give little wiggle room for employees to focus on what excites them. This is why freelancing is so crucial if you want to have full control over your career. 

Freelancing allows people to pivot, grow and transition into new fields at their discretion or as the climate dictates. Since the freelance market is highly competitive, it’s partakers don’t get to be complacent. To survive, they need to keep honing their skills, which in the long run increases their return clients and therefore their income. 

Conventional jobs on the other hand, are inherently prohibitive. Take for instance you work in an engineering firm, it’s likely that a majority of the activities you undertake are directly engineering-related. But as a freelance engineer, you’d be pushed to learn digital marketing, web design, and improve your negotiation so you can get ahead.

• They are less likely to burnout

Many articles have been written about burnout and how to avoid it. But did you know that you’re less likely to burn out if you work freelance? It might seem ironic to think that freelancers burn out less because unlike employed people, they need to stay on top of their game to earn money. Although this is true, freelancers also have the option to scale. They have ultimate control over the size of their workload. Depending on their monetary needs, personal lives and their health, freelancers can increase or reduce the amount of work they take on. They can also take extended breaks at the drop of a hat (so long as they have no pending jobs) without having to consult anyone.

So many people succumb to the stresses of their workplaces because of long hours spent busy but with minimal breaks. This is why it’s important to keep monitoring your stress levels and mental health to help you bring out your best self in all activities you undertake.

• There are plenty of jobs to go around 

Unlike other industries that suffered during the pandemic, the gig economy soared. With many people getting fired or furloughed as their employers tried to reduce spending, many people (hirers and seekers) turned to freelancing and found success in it. According to a report by CNBC, freelance openings in the second quarter of 2020 increased by 25% compared to the same period in 2019. So if you were hesitant to join the freelance economy due to a fear of inadequate opportunities, this stat should put your mind at ease. Also, there are so many online marketplaces cropping up every day that can connect you with clients fast and easy. So you don’t have to be a starving freelancer for 10+ years before you become successful. And, with the flexibility that freelancing offers, you don’t have to quit your day job either.  Read how this Ureed.com freelancer holds down a 9-5 and a burgeoning freelance career without dropping the ball.

• Freelancers can work from anywhere

Probably one of the most well-known and most attractive perks of freelancing is the ability to work from wherever you choose. If a freelancer’s job is fully remote or requires minimal in-person meeting, then the freelancer is not limited by where they can work. With the increase of remote-work visas, freelancers have been given the opportunity to work from Dubai, Barbados, Estonia and other scenic locales so long as they have a stable income. But if they can’t travel, freelancers can work from the comfort (and safety, given the state of the world right now) of their living rooms. Think of how much time and money they save avoiding the commute to and from work.

• Freelancers are their own bosses

This about sums up the benefits of working freelance; freelancers answer only to themselves and their clients. They have complete control over their work day and can set their schedule around their lives as they see fit. For instance, freelance parents with toddlers can plan their time so they’re most productive around nap time and go on break when their children are awake. Such luxuries are scarce in the conventional workplace. Even with remote working, conventional jobs still expect their employees to be productive between 9-5, not considering the changed dynamic brought about by the pandemic.

Getting Started on Ureed.com

If you’ve been reading this blog and wondering how you can get started on your freelancing career to unlock all these benefits for yourself, it’s time to register on Ureed.com. This Dubai-based platform is operational all over the world and will give you fast-tracked success as you embark on your freelance journey. And if you’re worried about getting a gig and the employer “ghosting” you without giving you your due, Ureed.com has an escrow policy that mandates employers to pay in advance ensuring you’ll get your money when you’ve met your deliverables. And if you have multiple skills to offer,  Services allows you to showcase them easily on your profile.

To kick-start your career, Ureed.com has you covered.