Freelancing will outweigh Employment Soon

Employees of the World Turn to Freelance

Freelancing is the shit; for many, it’s becoming the main source of income.

Why? Flexibility, independence, and the potential for better pay are drawing more people in.

The demand for freelancers has risen too.

Companies recognize the value of hiring independent people for specific projects without the long-term commitment. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr show that demand across various industries — from tech to creative services — is higher than ever.

This shift from traditional jobs to freelancing is not just a trend — it's a fundamental change in how we work.

The pandemic accelerated this shift.

Businesses needed to adapt fast; freelancers offered the agility they needed.

Now, with more companies comfortable with remote work, the demand for freelance professionals continues to grow.

These changes are reshaping the job market. Freelancing is becoming a key player in the global economy, proving it's here to stay.

Across the world. Just look at these numbers from Payoneer showing the top countries with the highest freelance growth:

The Philippines at 208%
India at 160%
Japan at 87%
Australia at 86%
Hong Kong at 79%
Mexico at 72%
Canada at 71%
Pakistan at 69%
Argentina at 66%
Spain at 66%

And it makes sense. Think about it for a second. You are a business owner. Just barely scratching above ground. One more employee is a shit ton of financial responsibility. Hiring a freelancer is a way more non commiting way to outsource labor.

The Dual Nature of Freelancing

And this is exaclty why I have been chosing this path. I am in love with the autonomy it provides. To be honest, I never liked the close commitment to work at certain hours for a company. It still does not make sense to me.

Why do you have to sit from 8-16h on the computer?

Me being outsourced, I can do this stuff whenever I want. As long as I am delivering the expected results within the given volume of time.

I can also chose which project I take on. What I observed, what is more important than everything else, is human connection. You really just need to be useful and good to work with.

People would much rather chose someone who is maybe not the best at what they are doing, but at least communicating with them is not a headache.

Or maybe even enjoyable…

If you are reading this and thinking about becoming a freelancer, be

a decent human being
and useful

That’s enough and you will be offered the world.

But just as your counterpart is choosing, you can chose whatever you want to do.

I went from designing, to copywriting, to marketing jobs in a matter of 4 months or so. You grow pretty quickly because you are not necessarily stuck in a named, branded “job position”.

Technically speaking, in most cases, you are hired for your time. Whatever that may be.

Practical Advice and Strategies

And there are different pricing models too. You do not have to just exchange time for money.

Here are the most common pricing strategies:

hourly rated
pricing per project with fixed timeline
pricing on performance/royalties

And all of these above can be done on a retainer

retainer model; per project or hourly or royalties

A retainer is an agreement where you exchange work on a regular basis as per agreement. — “I work X amount of hours per month and get X amount of money.”

— “I do these fixed tasks per month and get X amount of money.”

& having agreed on royalties usually are within the context of a retainer automatically if you offer services.

Yes. This is just like employment. But without the inflexibility that comes with it.

You are not part of the company.

That means you don’t get the perks of holidays, christmas money, special trainings or invites to nice events.

But I would pass that anyways.

I can chose my own holidays. Because I am not working full time.
I chose my own further education. I invest money into online courses and probably learn quicker than being stuck in a employed position.
I am an seperate entity from the company, means I get treated like an consultant. I don’t get dragged into artificial, subliminal “shoulds” of false feelings/acts of loyalty.

They could decide to not work with me tomorrow, as well as I could do the same.

There is ways to avoid that with freelancing contracts.

Gateway to Entrepreneurship

Freelancing is a robust launching pad for aspiring entrepreneurs. It begins with offering services based on individual skills, but the real growth lies in the evolution from service provider to product creator.

As freelancers deepen their expertise and understand market needs, they identify opportunities to develop products that fill gaps or improve on existing solutions.

This shift not only diversifies their income but also scales their operations from solo projects to potentially sizable ventures.

The entrepreneurial journey through freelancing demands a high degree of resourcefulness.

Freelancers learn to leverage their network for opportunities,
pivot strategies based on market feedback,
and adapt to technological advancements that could streamline their work or open new avenues for revenue.

Moreover, freelancers who master the art of financial management set the groundwork for sustainable business growth.

This includes:

effective budgeting,
strategic reinvestment into the business,
and perhaps most importantly, financial resilience to withstand the ebbs and flows of business cycles.

Continuous learning and professional development are also central to the freelance to entrepreneur transition.

Engaging in workshops, online courses, and industry conferences can keep a freelancer at the cutting edge of their field.

This commitment to growth not only enhances their service offerings but also builds their credibility and attractiveness as a business partner or service provider.

Lastly, the freedom inherent in freelancing allows for experimental approaches to business.

Freelancers can test:

different business models,
pricing strategies,
and marketing tactics with relatively low risk and flexibility,

that is often not possible in traditional employment settings.

This can lead to innovation and unique business propositions that set them apart in competitive markets.

This open approach to career and business development via freelancing paves the way for numerous opportunities.

It can lead to the establishment of a full-fledged company, expansion into new markets, or even collaborations with other entrepreneurs and freelancers.

Especially with the coming up of the Creator Economy, this will be amplified through countless “one person businesses” or so called “solopreneurs”.

Read more about the creator economy here: The Undeniability of Personal Branding

Each step forward enriches the freelancer’s toolkit, making them more equipped to thrive in the ever-evolving marketplace.

Conclusion

Let's recap the key points of freelancing.

It offers freedom but demands self-discipline.
It can be lucrative, yet financial management is crucial.
This isn't just about breaking from the 9-to-5; it's about building a flexible, resilient career that adapts to changing market needs.

That’s why I am saying, learning the art of freelancing is a safer route than being employed.

Crazy thought, right?

If you're on the fence about freelancing, consider this: the shift towards freelance work is more than a trend. It's a response to a rapidly changing work environment.

The pandemic has shown us that flexibility and adaptability are more than conveniences; they're essentials.

Keep forging your own path, and let's make freelancing a journey worth sharing.

Kiss Kiss,

Tarkan