In today’s economy, the trend of hiring freelancers to support a business is getting common. Big names and big corporations are now turning towards freelancers to save costs and time. Just think, they don’t need to pay a monthly salary, let alone work-related insurance. They don’t have to make space in the office for you and don’t even need to purchase hardware like a laptop for you to do your work.
Some of you might already aware that I am a freelancer on top of writing for MiddleMe. Being so used to work, live and breathe the corporate world, freelancing get some time to get used to but it has been and still is an exhilarating and eye-opening ride. Definitely no regrets.
Today, I’ll like to share my side of being a freelancer. A role that is pretty new to me and the vast differences as well as similarities from working in a business world.
As I like to delve into the articles and to make it easy reading, this is the first part of the freelancer 3 series.
Job There are plenty of different kinds of freelance job offers. From online work to physical work. For me, I’m an advertorial writer, a ghost writer, researcher, customer service, virtual assistant, consultant, translator and social media management. Since my previous work experience allows me to have vast dabble in these areas, I don’t mind having to wear many hats to cast my net wider and drawn in more fishes in the ocean.
You need to know what is your unique selling point. Being a freelancer, you have to go out as a salesman and sell yourself. Be able to differentiate yourself from the thousands who advertise having the same ability as you. What can you bring to the table that others can’t? Why does a client want to pay a higher price for you when he can get someone else much cheaper?
Be prepared to do menial work because that is what you are hired for. Most companies won’t hire a thinker or a manager they couldn’t see on a day to day basis but they are willing to hire people to do the work that no one does like copying and pasting large data off the internet and onto an excel sheet.
So what does this mean for me: I actually learn more even when I’m doing menial work. I learn about the different industries that I work with and at times, I work alongside small start-up entrepreneurs which give me a lot of inspiration and insight into their minds.
The Other Side: Some work can be repetitive and bored you out of your wits.
Money It’s all about the money, money and Money. Right? Not quite true. Unless you are a world famous programmer that charges thousands by the hour or you are an expert bond trader, you don’t earn much as a freelancer. Well, not as much as a full-time job.
The thing is that companies are looking to cut their costs and some of the recruiters out there, just search for the lowest costing manpower. With people who charges USD1 per 1000 words, it’s almost nearly impossible to compete for their price versus your value. However, as you grew your reputation and your reliability, your income will naturally flow in. Once you build a steady repertoire, you can charge higher as your value is being recognized and appreciated.
Well, you would think that you’ll have an abundance of time. Not exactly true. If you are organized and planned your time well, you might have some time for yourself but as a freelancer, your time belongs your clients. With business equates to money, won’t you want to schedule them in, even it is a project out of your planning?
So what does this mean for me: Time in exchange for a little amount of money. Sometimes, you do question yourself on whether it is worth your time over such little money. Income is not a regularity and dependable on market demands.
The Other Side: You actually save a lot of money. There is almost cost free and full profit from freelancing with the exception of your laptop, your time and perhaps a conducive working space. But I don’t have to spend a dime on clothes and transportation. Eating at home also means I save some cash.
If you like what you are reading or you are thinking of being a freelancer, please do watch out for part two of this freelancer series.
Join MiddleMe at Twitter (MiddleMe_net), FaceBook (MiddleMe.net) and WeChat! Best things in life are meant to be shared, start spreading MiddleMe around, after all, sharing is caring.
Comments