Freelancing isn’t easy. You need to be hard-working, motivated, and able to budget. Payments can be inconsistent and you might find yourself desperately waiting for one to come through. You could have periods of time where you have no work, and others where you are at complete full capacity. Burnout can occur and you need to be able to handle stress well.
However, don’t let the negatives put you off. There are lots of great things about being a freelancer. Here are 5 reasons to become a freelancer.
Creating your own brand
As a freelancer, you have your own brand/identity. And that’s completely up to you. You are in control of your brand and how clients see you. This means that you get to make your own website and control your marketing. You create the rules. If this seems a little daunting, you can always ask for help, too. Plenty of marketing companies will be able to assist in getting your name out there. Check out this digital marketing agency Birmingham for more information.
Controlling your workload
Alongside controlling your brand identity, you also control your workload. This means being able to take on as much or as little work as you want. So, if you’re feeling unwell, overworked, or simply lacking in energy, you can take a day, week, or month off without having to navigate sick pay or leave. It means you have more control over the structure of your day and don’t have to feel overworked.
Balancing childcare
Being freelance also means that you can be more relaxed with your schedule. It’s a great option for people with children, as it means that you don’t need to book time off to pick your kids up from school or if they’re sick. Being freelance can be great if you have small children who aren’t at school age yet, as it means you don’t need to pay for childcare, which can be extremely expensive. However, be aware that looking after children is a job in itself and you will need to set boundaries.
Working from home
One of the best things about being freelance is that you can work from wherever you like. Wave goodbye to an hour-long traffic jam or claustrophobic train ride. Being freelance means you can work from home, pop to the library, or sit in a local coffee shop to get everything done. It’s a welcome relief from stuffy offices and irritating colleagues.
Choosing your “colleagues”
Speaking of colleagues, when you’re freelance you get to choose who you work with. You can be fussy about clients and only work for people you trust. If you find freelancing to be a little isolating, you can also consider choosing some “colleagues”. Go to some networking events and meet fellow freelancers. Why not arrange to meet up once and week and work in the same place? This will create more of a sociable and friendly vibe, allowing you to natter in your breaks.