When I started freelancing 19 years ago, there were about 10 million people in the U.S. counted as independent and self-employed workers.
But today? It’s closer to 75 million. And they’re earning a whopping $1.5 trillion a year. Growth just won’t stop.
So when you read my friend Christina’s article below, take heart that writing as a freelancer is legit just getting better.
The one thing she doesn’t touch on (which we’ll cover in depth in a future issue), is that AI has split freelancer growth in two:
“Commodity content work,” as I like to call it, is shrinking.
Specialized, expert-level writing is growing and paying more than ever.
If that excites you, read through Christina’s reasoning for feeling good about this career path. And know that these are many of the reasons I’m right here with you, putting in the effort to live this fun and freedom-based lifestyle.
To your writing freedom,
Mindy McHorse
Executive Editor, Barefoot Writer Magazine
Barefoot Writing is Better Than Ever in the “Freelance Economy”
By Christina Gillick
Nowadays, the news is full of stories and statistics about freelancing. What used to be a rare career choice is quickly becoming the norm for many people. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 75 million people are self-employed in the United States (and that number is growing).
Some think this is great news… after all; freelancers are essentially running their own businesses and putting their careers and futures in their own hands. But, some articles would have you believe differently…
They choose to put a negative spin on the growth in freelancing. They make it seem scary by naming things like inconsistent income and lack of job security as issues freelancers must deal with.
While these things could affect you, they’re easy to overcome (and will continue to get easier — or altogether disappear — as more freelancers join in).
Here are six reasons why freelance writing is better than ever:
1. It’s now easier to hit six-figures.
Bob Bly — often referred to as “America’s Top Copywriter” — says he’s contacted at least once a week by a writer or aspiring writer. They want to know, “Can you really still make six-figures as a copywriter in today’s market?”
Bob says you can still do it, and in some ways, it’s easier today. He also went on to say freelancing is changing, but so is every other business.
For example, jewelers used to be consultants who would tell you what to look for in a diamond ring (or other jewelry). They were relied upon as the experts. But, today, you can go online and figure out everything you need. Bob said his local jeweler told him: “People come into my store, they know exactly what they want down to the last spec, the grade, and so forth, and they’re just looking for a price.”
2. The amount of writing needed is growing.
As businesses move online, the need for freelance writers only increases. Right now, there are 161 million “.com” domain names registered and over 33,000 more get added in a single day!
That’s a lot of web pages that need content and copy, and freelance writers are the ones mainly responsible for writing it. Then, of course, every website needs to be updated consistently with new content and copy to stay relevant and attract new and returning customers.
It all adds up to a ton of work for freelance writers (and there currently aren’t enough writers to handle it all).
3. Freelancers are better understood.
Not long ago, freelancers were scarce. This may sound like a good thing, but it meant more work for the freelancer. Not only did they have to educate their potential clients, but also they had to find them.
Now, businesses know they need writers. And, if you market yourself at all, those clients can find you via the Internet. Gone are the days where the only promotion option is direct-mail self-marketing letters and follow-up phone calls.
Now you can market yourself via a freelance website and have clients coming to you. Plus, those clients are likely to have an idea of what they need, making the freelancer’s job even easier.
4. Freelancing education is easier to find.
Not long ago, if you wanted to be a writer, you had to educate yourself. There was no AWAI, The Barefoot Writer, or any other training program. Plus, very few schools offered courses in freelancing.
If you wanted to learn how to be a freelance writer, you did it by getting hands-on experience. Trial and error. It took longer and the learning curve was bigger.
Today, writing and freelancing education is abundant, and AWAI and The Barefoot Writer are at the forefront of it.
5. Marketing is less expensive.
Marketing used to be very expensive. But today, thanks largely to the Internet, it’s much cheaper. It’s a lot less costly to put up a website than it is to print and design an annual report. With the low cost of marketing, clients are marketing more (which means more work for freelancers).
For instance, a client may approach you and need an autoresponder series. But, they might also need other emails, a landing page, a web page, and several other things. Because of this, it’s easier than ever to turn a $1,000 assignment into a $10,000 assignment.
Also, because the cost of marketing is lower, companies can afford to create more products. Each of these products needs emails, landing pages, sales pages, etc. That’s even more available work.
6. Writers can offer much more than words.
Not long ago, writers wrote. And, that was pretty much it. Now there are many related services to offer — including copy coaching, copywriting training, copy critiques, and even marketing consulting.
The options for a freelancer — and the projects they handle — are pretty much limitless.
So, yes, things are changing, but it’s for the better. There’s more work than ever, and it just keeps increasing. Plus, as more freelancers arrive on the scene, more companies will rely on them.
All you have to do is learn a skill — say writing or social media marketing, set up a freelance website, market your services, and — bam! — take advantage of the huge growth about to take place!