The Year of the Freelancer

A new revolution is sweeping America and it's fueled by freelancers. As "The Freelance Surge is the Industrial Revolution of Our Time" from The Atlantic puts it: "Today, careers consist of piecing together various types of work, juggling multiple clients, learning to be marketing and accounting experts, and creating offices in bedrooms/coffee shops/coworking spaces. Independent workers abound. We call them freelancers, contractors, sole proprietors, consultants, temps, and the self-employed. And, perhaps most surprisingly, many of them love it."

As a freelancer who has no intention of ever going back to the office, I am not surprised at all. Freelancers are mixing family and home life in with their own careers to arrive at a more satisfactory way than traditional, 9 to 5 employment. With our society increasingly mobile, freelancing offers more opportunities than working in an office, allowing mothers and fathers to stay at home with their children while contributing to the family income either part-time or full-time.

As the article states, the number of freelancers is growing by leaps and bounds: "As of 2005, one-third of our workforce participated in this 'freelance economy.' Data show that number has only increased over the past six years. Entrepreneurial activity in 2009 was at its highest level in 14 years, online freelance job postings skyrocketed in 2010, and companies are increasingly outsourcing work."

That translates into good news for freelancers of all professions.

Until next time,

Sarah