Hello, Beautiful Ladies of Hive!
This week’s contest is about job types, and I’d like to share my thoughts on the comparison between freelancing and traditional employment. I used to be a big fan of freelancing, but after thinking more about what it takes to survive when there are fewer gigs coming in, I realized that it might be wise to combine both types of work.
Think about it when you’re freelancing, you’re never really sure if you’ll get gigs the next day, especially if you’ve recently landed a big one. If you’ve ever used platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, you’ll know that it’s better to have a mix of both freelancing and traditional employment. This way, if one doesn’t bring in much income, the other can be your backup. It’s risky to rely on just one source.
I once applied for data entry jobs on Upwork during a time when my organization launched a training on it. I was so excited about the idea of freelancing that I even considered resigning from my job, especially when I heard stories of people making a thousand dollars in two weeks. But that wasn’t the result I got, and I’m glad I didn’t make that decision.
Freelancing can be a great option if you’re assured of a steady income daily, weekly, or even monthly. After all, you need money to pay for internet access. However, there’s still a need to leave the comfort of home, meet new people, and interact with like-minded individuals at your workplace. These encounters can enrich your life in many ways.
When it comes to time management, freelancing isn’t always the best option. Sometimes, a gig can take hours or even days to complete, while a traditional job might render the option of completing jobs next days. However, freelancing does have such advantages, a gig may take a month to complete.
When it comes to personal freedom. You have the liberty to choose when you want to work and when you want to take a break. You can pause to cook, eat, or even take a nap whenever you need to but don’t try these in traditional workplace or risk been sacked. If you have the opportunity to work with a well-established organization, there’s usually a period of paid leave where workers are given time off for weeks, and they’re still paid well.
My view on traditional employment versus freelancing is that if a person can manage both, it’s even better. Although it can be time-demanding, because after finishing your regular job, you’ll need to limit your rest hours to handle your freelance clients' work. But in the end, you’ll have more money coming in. Just make sure to prioritize your mental health too.
However, if you decide to choose freelancing as your main option, make sure you’ve built your niche professionally. Be prepared to invest in promoting your business so that the whole world can reach out to you. It’s not just about being a freelancer, how certain are you that you’ll get the gigs?
With that said, if you can incorporate both freelancing and traditional employment, it will be better, especially in these challenging times. You need money for everything, and if you have people, like kids, who depend on you, it’s essential to explore different streams of income.
Do have a lovely week!