You’re probably like most people, and you want to feel happier, healthier, and more secure. But you may not know how to get there. We completely understand.
In this article, we’re going to walk you through some fascinating information and statistics that might help you consider your next steps.
Table of Contents
The Great Realization
The pandemic caused many workers to reevaluate their personal and professional lives. The band-aid was ripped off. Suddenly, everyone was forced into remote work.
Professionals were scrambling to organize their lives and households for remote work. But luckily, remote technology took off. And everyone began adapting to the new normal.
And guess what, for the most part, we succeeded.
But as we turned to remote work, many working professionals realized how sick they were of commute times. Plus, they started spending more time with their families, friends, and in their personal lives.
As “two weeks to slow the curve” extended, many adults started finding new hobbies, playing musical instruments, and working on passion projects. More and more people noticed how much they craved work aligned with their interests, goals, and passions.
Sadly, some professionals were forced to make career changes because they lost their job. In contrast, others decided to leave the traditional workforce to venture out independently.
But either way, professionals started to crave an increased but acceptable amount of flexibility to determine what they work on and how they work on it. They want a task, required outcomes, and a deadline. Then, they decide how to proceed.
No more of these “butts-in-seats” as metrics of performance. Today’s professionals want to be treated like adults while understanding there is a little thing called balance.
“Butt” here’s the problem. Many companies don’t want to change.
The Great Resignation
As restrictions from the pandemic began to lift, and even before that, professionals started resigning at record levels. Many companies were pushing for a return to the pre-COVID work environment.
Read some of these headlines:
- “Bosses Are Trying to Gaslight Employees Into Believing They Miss the Office. It’s Not Working” – Inc Magazine
- “Apple can’t just throw money at its talent retention problem” – Quartz
- “Here’s why millions of Americans are quitting their jobs to change careers” – King5
When you read the articles and studies, you’ll see that the possible causes of The Great Resignation include long-standing job dissatisfaction, wage stagnation, wanting to continue working from home, and a general desire to work on what interests them, amongst other reasons.
Sound familiar?
In the article from King5, Tammie Krambule, a former labor and delivery surgical technician, states, “I started making candy for some friends, and it kept going on and on with more demand, so I turned it into a business. I can pay the mortgage, we can put food on the table, and everyone’s happy, and to me, that’s successful,
So, people wanted to continue to live a remote, flexible life, where they can spend more time in their personal lives and focus on what makes them happy.
You can find stories like Tammie’s all day. But we’ll move to the opportunity. You want to know how you can be like Tammie, feel happier, healthier, and more secure.
Why You Should Consider Freelance Consulting
You might be surprised. But a 2021 study by MBO found that 87% of full-time independent consultants and freelancers said they’re happier working on their own. In that same study, 78% said working on their own is better for their health.
Plus, 68% also said they feel more secure working independently at traditional jobs. We’ll talk more about these statistics below.
So, based on the data from the MBO study, independent workers feel happier, healthier, and more secure. Got it.
You might be asking, “How can this be? Isn’t freelancing and running a business stressful? There are so many variables and risks.” And, you’d be correct.
However, consider these counterpoints.
With the economy changing, with or without the pandemic, you’re constantly at risk of losing your job from downsizing or automation.
The McKinsey Global Institute predicts that by 2030, 73 million jobs will be lost to automation in the U.S.
And as corporations continue to flatten organizational structures, workloads are increasing, causing stress on employees and management.
Zippia reports that the leading causes of workplace stress are workload (39% of workers), interpersonal issues (31%), juggling work and personal life (19%), and job security (6%).
So, when you look at the data, there are risks and stress associated with working at a traditional employer and as an independent worker.
Opportunities Being A Freelance Marketing Consultant
When you’re a freelance marketing consultant, you’re in complete control. You have the freedom and flexibility to decide who, what, when, where, and how.
Freelance consulting gives you the ability to build a business around your life. You’re in control of your workload. You can manage your schedule to ensure your work doesn’t interfere with your personal life.
And what may come as a surprise, you can increase your job security. How?
As The Great Resignation continues, companies are looking for freelance talent and expertise to fill gaps.
There’s so much demand for talent you can choose to focus on projects and clients that interest you.
- A “Future Workforce Report” found that “71% of hiring managers plan to sustain or increase their use of freelancers in the next 6 months.”
- In a “2022 Global Freelancer Income Report,” 32% of respondents reported higher demand for their services since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with a further 45% saying demand stayed constant without slowing.
- In a “Global Survey on Freelancing,” 66% of freelancers do it because “freelancing offers me the chance to build expertise in interesting areas.” And in that same global survey, 66% of survey participants said that “Freelancing allows me to enjoy the quality of life I hope for.”
- A “State of Independence Study” found that “58% of independents earn more money than their previous employment.”
Based on those statistics, there’s an increase in the hiring of freelancers. The majority of freelancers found that they can work on areas that interest them and, at the same time, enjoy a quality life.
Plus, almost 60 percent are earning more money than before.
Not to mention the average hourly rate for a freelancer in the U.S. is $44. Remember, that’s an average for all types of freelancers.
Freelance marketing consultants can earn significantly more.
Sounds great in theory, right? So how can you pull it off?
All you need to do is determine your niche and ideal customer. Then, position and brand yourself as an expert. Last, develop a marketing and sales strategy to get yourself in front of the customers and projects you want to work on.
As you build your business, create boundaries and working hours. First, block your mornings to spend time getting your kids settled with school. Or whatever you do in the morning.
Then, open up your calendar for “client interaction,” starting mid-morning and ending mid-afternoon.
Seriously, you’re in control. You choose your working hours and set boundaries.
Further reading: 128 Freelance Statistics + High-End Consulting
Can You Really Do This?
Fact: Self-employment is not easy, no matter your industry. You will need self-determination and discipline to succeed.
But you’re the captain of your ship and the master of your destiny. You’re in control now. Not your boss or company. You ARE the boss and company.
You’ll need to approach freelance marketing consulting as if you were starting the next billion-dollar business. As a result, you will need to put effort into running and marketing your business.
There will be skills to learn and times you are completely stressed out.
Oddly enough, this is where most freelance consultants fail. Somehow, they don’t take running and marketing a business seriously enough. And they don’t want to put time into learning new skills.
However, if you genuinely want to be happier, healthier, and more secure, you will take on those challenges to build your business.
You have two options on how to off-load from traditional work and on-board into freelance marketing consulting.
- Option 1: Leap of Faith – Keep working for a few months, build a plan, quit your job, and start your business.
- Option 2: Parallelpreneurship – Aka, the side-hustle. First, start consulting on the side. Then, build your “independent” business to a comfortable point. Last, quit your job and go full-time.
Both options have pros and cons that are specific to your situation. You’ll need to evaluate what’s best for you.
As you’re contemplating your future, think about this last statistic, 97% of now-independent workers have absolutely no desire to return to traditional work. (Catalant)
Wow.
We at The Weekly Consult wish you the best of luck in your decision. But, whatever you decide, come back and use us as your resource. It’s our goal to help freelance marketing consultants succeed through the latest education, analysis, and expert insights.
