Is Freelancing a Sustainable Lifestyle?
Pros and Cons of Freelancing
Freelancing seems like an excellent way to make a living, but many people are unsure of its stability. Are you among the many people that are asking, “Is freelancing a sustainable lifestyle?” The answer: yes!
The Growth of Freelance
According to a study done by Intuit back in 2010, by the year 2020, 40% of American workers will be freelancers. The American population is quickly gaining the ability to create connections and networks that enable them to work alone. On top of that, inventions and innovations to improve the efficiency of work are being produced at an increasingly rapid rate. People are no longer relying on major companies to provide them with the tools or contacts to do their work. With all these improvements in the workplace, it’s no wonder that more and more people are deciding to work alone. If freelancing wasn’t a sustainable lifestyle, why would the American work force be moving in that direction?
An Unconventional Stability
Freelance work might seem unstable because of how unconventional it is, but rest assured it can work. You might not get all the benefits of a regular job, but you get paid more because part of your income isn’t being withheld to pay for those benefits. You can also work more hours than any company would let you work and you can get things done more efficiently. Being a freelancer means that you have more flexibility to do things, such as meet with clients at a moment’s notice. It also means you have time to pursue your hobbies, spend time with your loved ones, and enjoy life.
How to Make Being a Freelance Translator or Interpreter Work
It is highly recommended that you have a specialization when you are a freelancer in the language services industry. Your chances of being hired will be greater and your skill sets will look more appealing to clients. On top of that, you should be good at translating in general. As with most careers, the more experience and skill that you have, the more clients that you will attract. Another crucial thing to do is to utilize the communication services that are available to you, such as LinkedIn, and make connections. You can also supplement your income by writing books, training or tutoring others, and having your own website or blog.
Hard Work Gets You Outcomes
Even though there are all sorts of improvements to technology and communication, you still have to work hard when you’re a freelancer. This is probably why some people question the stability of freelance work. Having to work hard, however, doesn’t mean that something is impossible. If you stay committed to your job, expand your network, and keep a positive attitude, you’ll be making money as a freelancer in no time!
References
- BLS: http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2002/summer/art02.pdf
- Inuit: http://http-download.intuit.com/http.intuit/CMO/intuit/futureofsmallbusiness/intuit_2020_report.pdf
- Lingocode: http://lingocode.com/what-makes-a-good-translator/
- Quartz: http://qz.com/65279/40-of-americas-workforce-will-be-freelancers-by-2020/
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Thank you for great post! The biggest problem of freelancing is self-organization) very often I postpone the work till the deadline and do everything in the last 2 nights. Also there is a lack of social contacts, sometimes I feel like in isolation.
Hello Helen,
thanks for stopping by and for your comment 🙂
I totally agree with you about the self-organisation problem.
About the lack of isolation, I recommend joining some translation associations and participating in some events if you can.
Also LinkedIn groups are a good place to find colleagues. They might live far away, but you can still keep the conversation going online 🙂