Working freelance can seem like a fantasy career from the outside. Flexible hours, being your own boss, picking and choosing the work you do. What an easy thing to do, right? Wrong. There is a lot more work that goes into freelance than meets the eye, and though it is still a wonderful way to work, it is not nearly so charmed a life as most people assume. So, if you are thinking of starting a freelance career, this article aims to help you get a good grasp of what to expect and what areas you might want to go into.
Why Freelance?
Freelance really can be a great way to work. Create your portfolio on the all-in one freelance tool, CheckYa for free today. You can set your own working schedule. You do choose the work that you engage with. You are your own boss. However, what most people don’t realize is that there are two main drawbacks of working freelance.
First, freelance work is inherently unstable. You are never guaranteed your next job, and while a good reputation, portfolio, and client base will take you far, you will never have the same guarantee of work that you get with a traditional job.
Second, freelance requires a LOT of marketing work. The only way you are ever going to get work is by advertising yourself. Drumming up interest in your services and then showing what you are able to do takes a lot of effort, and when you are just starting out, that is compounded by a lack of knowledge of what you are doing.
Ultimately, freelance is a brutal workstyle to start with, and even as your popularity and client base grows, it is never free from risk. However, it is also an incredibly freeing way to work, and a way to really engage with work in fields you love, such as art and writing.
Courier Delivery
Working as a freelance courier is one of the more expensive industries to get into initially, as often you need to provide your own vehicle and insurance. However, once you have broken in, this is an industry where you will find no shortage of work. Courier jobs such as those found at Shiply are always around, all you have to do is look for them.
Video Editing
There is a lot of skill in video editing, and a lot of costly software that you generally need to make use of to create the really amazing edits. However, this is another field where there is a fair bit of work, and if you have an interest in creating awesome video footage, this can be a really fun way to work.
Voice Acting
If you like to make funny or interesting voices and have a good control of how you speak, then there is always a lot of money and work to be had in voice acting. Breaking into this industry can be extremely hard, especially since there is a lot of industry specific knowledge that is a nightmare to discover.
Translation
Finally, if you are fluent in multiple languages, then working as a translator is a brilliant way to make good money without too much extra set up. Translation is by no means easy, even if you are fluent in both languages. The fiasco around the Squid Game translations should tell you that. However, if you are willing to put in the work, then there is no reason why this field shouldn’t work out for you.