In recent years, freelancers have known and are experiencing a significant growth transforming how individuals approach their careers. This shift towards flexible work is due to the advancement in technology with various communications platforms and tools being available freelancers can easily connect with clients around the world and find different opportunities too. However, these exciting experiences that a freelancer can enjoy also come with lots of challenges that require a good strategy to navigate through these hurdles. 

Opportunities

  • Flexibility and Freedom: Freelancers can work on their own schedules. They do not have to follow the traditional 09:00-17:00 work schedule; instead they have the freedom to choose the time they wish to work; it can be early morning or at night. Which allows them to have a balance between their professional and personal life effectively, choose their working environment whether it is at home, or in a cafe, and take on projects that match with their interest and skills set.
  • Diversify income sources: Freelancers have the opportunity to work for different people and on different projects instead of being restricted to a specific company. This can help them in gaining more money and stay away from issues like financial instability. 
  • Gain experience: By working for different clients who have different demands and needs it allows freelancers to develop their skills set and perform tasks that they never undertook before, which can help them in creating and improving their portfolio which can potentially open new doors for them such as attracting more clients. 
  • Personal Growth:As mentioned earlier freelancers can acquire new skills that will eventually help them in providing clients with quality work, For example; Technical skills freelancers have to keep up with new updates on software and technologies therefore mastering them can help in enhancing their technical proficiency. 
  • Global reach and Market access: Internet and social media platforms have eliminated geographical boundaries allowing freelancers to have global reach instead of being limited to their own country. This expanded reach gives the opportunity for freelancers international clients, gain exposure to a wide range of industry, and access high-paying projects. 
  • Entrepreneurial ventures: Starting as a freelancer can be a first step towards starting a business. They can put at use the experiences gained through the different projects that they have undertaken, skills and portfolio that they build up, to set up their own business offering specialised services and innovative products. 

Challenges

  • Income Instability: The first challenge of a freelancer is income uncertainty and lack the security that a traditional work can offer without long-term contracts, freelancers will always have to find ways of securing projects and clients. Therefore planning their finances and budgeting is a must for them. 
  • Self-discipline and Time Management: Freelancers have to be self-disciplined to meet deadlines and work effectively by having a work schedule and good organisation to manage their workload, without planning distractions may easily come and hinder productivity.
  • Client Acquisition and retention:In this competitive market where more freelancers are emerging and offer the same type of service it became quite difficult to keep those clients and find new ones, therefore it is important for freelancers to maintain and establish a good relationship with their existing clients, provide them an added-value service can lead to clients recommending freelancing service with someone else, thus, benefit from positive reputation.
  • Isolation: Working as a freelancer also means working solo, it can be difficult to manage emotions and feelings since the loneliness will be there, so it is important to find ways to interact and socialise with other people to prevent mental health issues.

For those who are ready to accept its dynamic character, the freelance environment offers a multitude of options as well as daunting hurdles, if you wish to read other articles you can check the following articles that may prove to be helpful for you: “ Skills employers are looking for in the digital age”, “ How to master your job interview”. Do not hesitate to share this page and comment down below in the comment section. We will be happy to respond.