The Gig Economy – Part 1: Freelancing
Is it time for you to go Independent?
According to a Forbes report, between 2005 and 2015, 94% of 10 million jobs created were freelance or temporary gigs, a good indicator that the gig economy is booming. However, this has led to a decline in traditional 5-9 jobs as the freelancer demands among different niches and industries continue to grow.
In freelancing, you are self-employed, meaning you are your own boss. Recently, companies have been integrating freelancers into their business strategies, unlike in the past when startups and smaller businesses used to hire freelancers for a short time and ad-hoc projects that the owners and staff wouldn’t or couldn’t do.
“Modern businesses are choosing to run in a very lean fashion. Sometimes some solopreneurs build everything they need using freelancers. However, even large businesses are using freelancers as part of their contingent work,” said Nikolas Badminton, an author, researcher, and keynote speaker for Futurist.
What is freelancing?
The term freelancer, or independent contractor, refers to a self-employed individual who doesn’t have to commit to a single, long-term employer. Instead, they work independently for several companies or clients.
Most, if not all, freelancers typically charge by the hour or day and are not required to register as a business. The meaning of Freelancer has changed, and it encompasses writers, photographers, editors, programmers, website designers, professional consultants, and many other professional services.
Fiverr is one of the best platforms for new freelancers. They provide a simple experience for beginners. It provides a platform where one can post any type of content. This ranges from copywriting to website development, and content writing. Once posted, one can sell the created content or service for as low as $5.
The charges may change according to your content and the client’s expectation. Top content leads push for high ranks and hence higher pay. This site has rules and regulations, so one should read and understand them before joining the platform.
- Uvocorp
Uvocorp was started in 2004 and quickly became an online writing platform that revolutionized academic writing. It has since continued to set a precedent with its high-paying ability. Currently, Uvocorp pays up to $26.5 per page for assignments.
The downside is that it is not easy to open an account, but that does not mean you shouldn’t try. It is worth the time. During peak seasons, over 250, 000 academic writing jobs are posted on the platform.
- People per Hour (PHP).
This is the best for a freelancer who is good at web development projects. It is the best for web developers, designers, and SEO specialists. It is also one of the best platforms for new freelancers because of the rate of pay they offer.
- Coursehero
Course hero has been a key player in the academic writing industry for over 13 years. It is known chiefly for the study resources it offers to students. However, academic writers can also use these resources to complete orders—more about that in a future post.
You can work as a tutor on Coursehero, primarily to answer questions. You will earn between $2 – $4 per solution. Over time this can add up to a significant amount. This platform is ideal for beginners.
- Freelancer
Freelancer is one of the top freelance sites. In addition to the projects shown on the platform, Freelancer provides a chance for competition among freelancers. As a result, the Freelancer can achieve top ranking and access more jobs from different clients. Also, depending on the content creation of an individual, one is in a position to reach high-paying clients based on their competence. Therefore, the higher your content is ranked, the more clients you get.
- Problogger
I would rank this website as my number one best site to get paid for writing and blogging. Undoubtedly, it is the best marketplace for both publishers and bloggers to connect. The site’s owner, Darren Rowse, has been teaching newbies how to make money online through blogging over the years.
On the site, you can access a range of job offers. Due to this environment, the job board draws a knowledgeable audience of bloggers, which attracts the best job postings (highest paying/most prestigious opportunities).
- Craigslist
Craigslist is another free-to-use website that has many jobs that anyone can do. If you have looked at the site before, you may wonder where the jobs are. On the navigation bar, search the “Writing/Editing” category of the job listings.
A drop-down on your specific city will allow you to get leads around you. Nonetheless, you can go out of your way and apply for more jobs in different parts of the world. Blogging is often not locale-specific, so it is worth applying in all major cities. This makes Craigslist one of the best sites to get paid for writing & blogging. Everything is still the same; pitch well, and you will land a deal.
- Upwork
Upwork is one of the most preferred websites for freelancers. It was formed by merging the two top freelancing sites, Elance and Odesk. More than 5 million businesses depend on over 12 million freelancers on this website. This is a site that allows a high growth rate.
It is a bidding website; therefore, one must fine-tune their pitches and build the best content to achieve a top rating. High ratings lead to more gigs. This freelancing site allows both long-term and short-term projects.
- Conclusion
The freelancing industry is primarily “a numbers game” of sending out persistent letters of introductions, pitches, and cold calls. Therefore, you often have a full schedule. As a freelancer, you must consistently market your services across social media and websites and network with other skilled personnel. This is how you survive the ups and downs of the gig economy. Are you ready to participate in the “freedom” of the freelancer gig economy?!