Due to COVID-19, the economy is currently ascending towards a somewhat unforeseen transition, with increased levels of unemployment, employee dissatisfaction, job-hopping, and entrepreneurship. As a result of its worldwide versatility and autonomous lifestyle, freelancing in 2022 is the new work culture that has steadily crept into people’s minds.
Freelancing, which began as a little source of work, is now a substantial source of work. In the future, many more people are expected to adopt this working style. Its rapid growth is aided by technological advancement.
According to Upwork, about 60 million Americans freelanced in 2021. This is nearly a third of the total workforce. These trends are likely to continue and it shows a secure freelancing future in 2022.
The appeal of freelancing
The number of freelancers has exploded in recent years. Again, the epidemic accelerated this. Some people choose to freelance after their businesses fail. But for many, remote employment was a taste of a new working life. The traditional 9-5 job was becoming out of touch with people’s desires.
Many people could work entirely from home if they had internet access and a laptop. Even with the transition to hybrid working, this kind of freedom is rare.
Freelancing in 2022 also offered the chance to work in a way that matched their ideals. Freelancers can conduct their businesses any way they choose and choose their clientele depending on their own beliefs and ethics.
That’s why many companies are changing their corporate cultures to attract new and existing employees and this is what increases the chances of a successful freelancing future in 2022.
Size of the freelance gig economy industry
The gig economy continues to rise as a result of the epidemic, fast digitization, and rising desires for flexibility. There are around 77 million freelancers worldwide, with over half of them based in Europe, India, and the US. The global gig economy is witnessing a growing demand for tech freelancers, with the IT industry introducing new job categories. Freelancers are flocking to countries like India, the Philippines, Pakistan, and Ukraine. Companies are willing to hire qualified professionals from all over the world since they are used to remote working.
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Reasons why freelancing is the future
Here are some reasons that show why freelancing is the future-
The rise of technology
Technology advancement is a factor in making freelancing the future of work. First, it presents and necessitates several challenges. As a result, it caters to all types of workers and skills. It may start with technical needs and end with creative needs. Nowadays, organizations require a lot of computer work, and one or a few individuals cannot do it all. So they must hire temporary labor to solve certain issues. Moreover, freelancing and technology are always developing.
Today’s technological advances and developments are distancing our society from the business style of conferences and meetings. People are getting more attracted to digital meetings and communications, which benefits freelancers.
Businesses are no longer restricted to hiring locals. Now they can hire professionals from anywhere in the world. This makes sense for corporations since it allows them to hire the greatest staff available.
Tools like Zoom, Skype, Asana, Slack, Freshbooks, Stripe, Transferwise, and others have streamlined and optimized the online work environment for freelancing success.
These technologies make it easy for freelancers to interact, handle, and receive payments from clients worldwide.
Work-Life Balance
To have a decent job or tour the world used to be an either/or proposition. For a long time, it was impossible to have it all. But it is possible with freelancing.
Freelancing allows you to have a solid income while still being able to spend time with your family, travel, or do what you love. Because it can be done from anywhere, at any time.
Work between nap and bedtime allows a new parent to make money while spending the day with her kid…
Millennials who wish to tour the world (without staying in hostels) can do it while staying in the top hotels and resorts. And freelancing as a side hustle. This is why freelancing in 2022 is a must.
And now, more than ever, people can do what they love AND make money doing it…
And all of this improves the lives of people who chose to freelance over the regular grind. Less despair, stress, job turnover, and health issues.
Many workers want work-related freedom and autonomy. Work conditions prevented them from achieving their dream. But freelancing provides the needed flexibility. Freelancers can build their own habits and working styles including schedule, salary rates, tools, and more. Individuals are thus able to determine their work-related time and effort. Younger generations that grew up with technology and mobility prefer this work style. They can deliver tasks by just sharing documents online. Freelancing allows seniors to keep up with new technological advances while being more productive.
Brands & Businesses Require Expertise
Every brand will face “one-off” initiatives or activities that require specialist assistance. It saves time and money for the company to recruit a freelancer as a contract worker rather than hiring a new employee to onboard, train, and pay.
If they hire an expert freelancer who knows what they’re doing AND is good at it. Thus they obtain their product faster and cheaper.
Those “one-off” projects often develop into monthly paychecks for freelancers.
The attitude regarding freelancing has shifted dramatically recently. Companies increasingly consider freelancers as superior to full-time permanent staff. While startups have welcomed freelancers since the epidemic, large corporations are also turning to them to expand their geographic reach and flexibility. The pandemic’s teachings are encouraging firms to use freelance talent and outsource jobs. A 2019 survey found Google has more freelancers and contractors than permanent workers.
Boost Creativity
The freelance sector is a fertile ground for innovation. Exposure to global marketplaces opens doors to other cultures and perspectives. As a result, freelancers can adapt their work to different markets. In many circumstances, a single strategy can be tailored to different countries. If you have documents to translate but are taking up a lot of your time, consider expert translation services. There are numerous fields where this is conceivable. Thus, it provides more opportunities than traditional jobs. However, freelancers can organize their work in any way that suits them. They can also freely make proposals with less risk.
Will AI Endanger Freelancers?
In our perspective, AI will never entirely replace freelancing because we are all emotional beings.
The inevitable evolution of technology is not a threat or a justification not to start… Instead, consider how AI can HELP your freelance career.
In reality, freelancers are better prepared for AI. shifts than the average employee.
Because freelancers may utilize AI tools to deliver faster and better solutions for clients. Whereas AI may entirely or partially replace traditional career possibilities.
Human emotion, empathy, and creativity cannot be duplicated by a robot.
Conclusion
Technology and cloud computing will continue to shape the future of employment in 2022. Many people now prefer a freelancing career. Skilled freelancers command high rates and enjoy freedom and control not found in traditional employment.
Freelancing in 2022 is the future. From humble beginnings, it has grown enormously to encompass people from all over the world. It is currently a trend that appears to be here to stay.
