In today’s competitive economy, being self-employed can be a major advantage. Self-employed people and freelancers find that they have more freedom and variety than people working traditional 9 to 5 jobs. They also have fewer overhead expenses like commuting and child care and can often pull in more money per hour than traditional employees. Here are 5 reasons why you are better off being self-employed.
1. Being Your Own Boss
Many people are attracted to self-employment because they are tired of being micromanaged. As someone who is self-employed, you need only answer to yourself. You can handle your clients’ needs however you wish, as long as they are satisfied with your services. Being your own boss can be very attractive to people who have had difficult employers in the past.
When you are your own boss, you are empowered to make the decisions that make your small business run well. You will not have to deal with other people’s demands. It can be a freeing feeling to know that you do not answer to anyone but yourself.
2. Better Pay
In many cases, a freelancer or self-employed person makes more money per hour than people who are traditionally employed. The employer does not take a cut of their earnings, meaning that they take more money home at the end of the day. Finding lucrative assignments or customers can take time, but the process is worth it when considering the rewards.
3. Fewer Expenses
When you are self-employed, you will not have to pay expenses like child care and commuting to work. Parents can set their hours so that they will be working during the time when their children are at school, avoiding expensive before- and after-care. Some jobs can even be done when there are small children in the home, while the children are busy or sleeping.
The cost of commuting is an increasing expense, considering the price of gas and the wear and tear on your vehicle. Also, taking the stress of commuting out of your life can mean that you are able to spend those hours on work rather than sitting in traffic.
4. Variety in Job Responsibilities
When you are freelancing or working for yourself, each day can be different and exciting. A freelancer working for a variety of clients will find that their assignments differ from day to day. When working as a self-employed person, you can take on a variety of challenges that you would not experience if you worked for someone else. The work is more stimulating than traditional employment and prevent you from getting into a rut.
5. Client Satisfaction
Freelancers find that their clients are more satisfied with their work, since they are able to devote more time to the needs of the individual who uses their services. Customer churn, or turnover of customers, is reduced as freelancers build a dedicated client base.
A Roadmap to Success
These five areas can give you a good idea of how to be self employed. Clients appreciate working with freelancers because they can receive more creative results in a shorter time frame without the interference of a boss or middleman. When creating your business plan for self-employment, keep these five areas in mind. They can help you learn how to balance your workload with your available time.
