Multiple Scopes for Freelance Jobs
The freelance world has changed a lot in the past few years. With so many services like Fiverr, Upwork, and remote work becoming more popular there is a multitude of tasks and jobs for freelancers to choose from. You may not know where to start!
We compiled this list of five different project scopes to help you get started:
* Blogging
* Social Media Management
* Design
* Photography
* Data Entry & Clerical Assistance.
The common misconception that companies can't afford to pay freelancers is true in some cases, but isn't always true overall. According to a recent study 65% of all employers are more than willing to pay freelancers for their services. However, the reality is that employers typically spend roughly 20-30% of their time looking for and hiring new full or part-time employees. So if your main job is freelance, you are the most likely candidate to be hired by an employer based on your qualifications and experience.
An article written by Jeff Taylor at Hint Creative states that there are 3 types of freelancers: independent contract, project-based and employees (full or part time). Freelancing can be very profitable, but it can also be very risky as many companies will use contractors as a way to save money. The type of freelancer that you are depends on what kind of job that you are looking for.
The first kind of freelancer, an independent contractor, is the one who always goes through a middleman to find a job. This is generally someone with no experience or relevant skills, typically graduates from career-oriented colleges. This type of freelancer does not have any professional connections and therefore he/she will only be hired for very low paying jobs such as data entry and manual labor. This can be a good starting point for young graduates but it should not be their long-term goal if they want to sustain themselves with their work.
A freelancer who is a specific type of project-based contractor has skills that are specialized for a certain project. According to Taylor this type of freelancer does not have to go through the middleman process and therefore will charge a slightly higher rate than an independent contractor. These types of jobs are typically more difficult because they require the effective use of skills that are not your primary occupation, such as accounting, graphic design, programming and sales. These types of jobs usually consist of short term project work and therefore you will only be hired by companies that need these skills at that specific time.
A freelance employee is someone who works full or part time in order to maintain a certain lifestyle. This means that they typically have a primary occupation, such as a software engineer, web developer, web designer or accountant, and they offer their skills to the company on a freelance basis. This is usually the most common type of freelancer and it is definitely the most stable form of work because it allows you to be paid for all of your work. Although it may not pay as well as full time employment, the benefit is that you do not feel like you are working two jobs and can concentrate on one.
Many freelancers are attracted to the variety of jobs available in today's economy due to rapid advancements in technology. Technology has brought about new opportunities for businesses but it has also opened up new avenues for individual freelancers. For example, Moore and Roberts explain how software such as the iPad and Microsoft Office have made the creation of multimedia content much more available to freelance writers.
Not only has technology created more opportunities for freelancers, but it has also allowed businesses to become much more competitive in the marketplace. An article by Lisa Colangelo in Business News Daily suggests that "businesses have become leaner, faster and more efficient, making them extremely competitive". This demand for efficiency has caused businesses to seek out freelancers who can provide a specific skill or service within their budgets but still yield them high returns.
According to a study by Intuit, freelancers are now the largest group of workers in the United States. In 2015, 34% of workers were independent contractors. This number is expected to continue to rise as our workforce changes and technology advances. Freelancers have been used for decades but this new demand for skilled labor has made freelancing more popular than ever before.
A full-time job is still the most common form of employment, with 42% of workers falling into this category. Part-time employees account for 24%, followed by 10% who are self-employed and 8% who are temp workers. The remaining 4% fall into the other category.
Many people who have taken on freelance work in the past have probably been turned off by the possibility of being their own boss. However, a recent article by Freelancing.com suggests that there are many advantages to running your own business as a freelancer. "Freelancing can be an excellent way to make extra money if you're under-employed, want a full-time or part-time job that's flexible or would like to start your own business," Shannon Amiri states in her article.
Buying and selling items online is now easier than ever with websites such as Etsy and Ebay. Etsy has a large following of buyers who enjoy supporting their local small businesses, buying handmade items, vintage items and other odds and ends. A website such as Ebay is the place to go for people who are looking for well made used products. Whether you are interested in selling your own handmade goods or you want to flip an item that you have purchased at a discount price, these websites allow you to have a greater level of control over what you sell and how much money (if any) you are willing to make.
Freelancing is most commonly associated with SEO specialists and web designers but there are many other jobs that can be done remotely. Many consumers are willing to pay a premium for custom made items that are made based on the specifications of the buyer. Amiri's article explains how "because of our desire for 'one of a kind' items, we are willing to pay more than we would for mass produced goods".
Brick and mortar retail stores have been closing their doors at an alarming rate in recent years. According to Sharon Vaknin an article in The New York Times states that nearly 17,000 stores closed in 2015 alone. On the other hand, some retail stores have found success through online sales. This is because 90% of shoppers now start their buying process online and up to 70% will continue their search while they are at the store. This means that online retailers have the opportunity to reach customers with a wide variety of products that may not be available at their physical location.
This article was written in 2014 but it continues to be relevant as the industry continues to make changes. According to Monica McGivern, a freelance writer for Forbes, there are now more freelance writers than traditional employees. The article states that "the majority of freelancers are actually young and female". Many people who decide to become independent contractors can do so because they don't want to follow government regulations and lose many of their benefits, such as health insurance. This is why information technology is such a popular field for the independent contractor.
Conclusion
In conclusion, freelance work is becoming more popular in today's economy because it offers more opportunity to workers. Many people are attracted by the idea of being their own boss and having the ability to take on a variety of projects that interest them. The recent increase in online marketplaces has created a wider audience for the freelancer and has allowed them to gain exposure for their work. Technology has made the creation of multimedia content easier than ever for freelance writers.
Also, many consumers are willing to pay a premium for custom made products that are made based on their specifications. Brick and mortar retail stores have been closing at an alarming rate but online retailers have been successful in providing consumers with items that they can't find anywhere else.