Hey! Guess what? I have compiled a list of exciting articles and news in the freelance space. This review analyzed recent topics, dissecting the intricate dynamics and highlighting key game-changers in the freelance landscape.
This is an eye-opening read filled with intriguing facts and experts’ opinions that have broadened my knowledge and understanding of key issues. It’s an intellectual feast that leaves you hungry for more.
The 7 Best Social Media Platforms for Freelancers (With Pros and Cons)
Source: Makeuseof
In this edition of the freelance review, the first news here is what I came across on the popular platform Makeuseof. It is specifically targeted to you as a freelancer who wants to expand your freelance career.
When it comes to growing an audience, social media has a number of benefits for all different types of online artists. In this regard, freelancers are similar to other professionals, and you can select from many networks to develop your brand and potentially draw in clients.
We’ll go through the seven best social media sites for freelancers, along with some of their advantages and disadvantages.
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1. Twitter
Twitter is one of the most widely used networks and a well-known text-based social media platform. You will be able to build a network that may later buy your skills and expertise. There are various communities on Twitter that you can join. Additionally, there are some elite professionals on the network, such as content managers, who might wish to recruit you.
Pros
- Accessibility to hard-to-reach individuals
- Leverage on industry conversations
- Meet like-minded professionals
Cons
- Can be really detrimental
- Easy to get dragged
2. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a great place to network as it gives the privilege to showcase your prior experience by sharing links to samples of your work. Additionally, you can share and get access to significant updates relevant to your field.
Pros
- Numerous freelance positions
- Access to educational materials and learning resources
- Work history is presented in an organized manner
Cons
- May be quite cliquey
3. Instagram
Even though Instagram is a fantastic space for photographers and other visual artists, You can still utilize Instagram as a writer or can share your latest blog posts in your Instagram Stories.
Pros
- Great for visuals
- Fun to use
- Several opportunities for content creation
Cons
- Can be addictive
- May be difficult to grow audience
4. Behance
Behance is a well-known social media site for sharing artwork, and you can search job listings there for positions in a variety of creative fields. Several artists’ works can serve as inspiration when utilizing this platform.
Pros
- Contact with other creatives in the same niche
- More opportunities
- Profile customization and link sharing
Cons
- An Adobe Creative Cloud account is needed before you can use the service.
5. Facebook
As a freelancer, you may set up a business page to advertise your availability for new jobs as well as highlight your most recent client work. Facebook also allows you to network with people in various groups
Pros
- Large user base
- Ease navigation
- Direct connections with friends and family
Cons
- Growing a business page without sponsored advertising efforts is challenging.
6. Youtube
With billions of visitors each month, YouTube is a terrific platform to obtain resources for learning various kinds of abilities. On YouTube, you can discuss just about anything, including honing a particular skill or the ins and outs of freelancing.
Pros
- Can be monetized through Adsense
- A fun way to engage an audience
- Low costs
Cons
- Growing a YouTube channel takes time.
- AdSense money isn’t as big as you think in many cases.
7. Pinterest
Many users turn to Pinterest when they need inspiration, and it’s an awesome platform for sharing information. After creating an account, you may drive traffic to your website and learn practical advice that will help you expand your own business.
Pros
- A ton of inspiration is available
- Less competitive and aggressive compared to other platforms
- drive traffic to the services page of your website.
Cons
- Difficult to find freelance clients
Check out the new issue of freelance life magazine
Don’t Get Fooled! Not Everything You Hear About Making Money Online Is True
Making money online is appealing, especially now that we have so much knowledge and opportunity at our fingertips. However, the famous freelance platform, Medium recently released an article that says not everything you read or hear about getting money online is credible and true.
I will also agree with their assertion that it’s crucial to approach the world of online income generation with caution and scepticism. Numerous misconceptions can mislead us, as I’ve personally discovered. Let’s find out some of these misconceptions and learn the reality of earning money online.
Misconception 1: Make Money Quick and Easy
When some people hear about working online, they frequently come across statements that promise quick and simple wealth. However, let’s face reality, earning money online requires time and work. There isn’t a secret formula for success. Adopting the principles of diligence, reliability, and endurance is crucial.
Misconception 2: No Skills or Experience Are Required.
Long-term success can only be attained through investing in one’s professional and personal growth. Despite the abundance of chances offered by the internet, success cannot be attained by anybody without knowledge or expertise. It’s essential to develop useful abilities, keep up with industry trends, and constantly broaden our knowledge if we want to succeed in the online world.
Misconception 3: Passive Income Streams
It seems fantastic to be able to make passive income while sleeping or having fun, doesn’t it? True passive income, however, necessitates a strong foundation and constant work. Building stable revenue streams requires patience, commitment, and clever planning. It involves striking the ideal balance between automation and reliable input.
Here Is the Truth
Making money online is feasible, but it takes practical approaches and a commitment. Finding your speciality, developing your unique brand, and giving your clients real value are all important. Remember that not every piece of information you read or hear about making money online is accurate. Be cautious, conduct thorough research, and believe in your gut.
I strongly agree with the fact that, to successfully manage the internet environment, you need to surround yourself with a supporting network and trustworthy resources. Let’s discern the truthful opportunities from the deceptive hype, and you will find yourself winning.
Business Leaders Planning to Hire More Workers Despite Rise of AI: Survey
This is a new survey published on the FoxBusiness website that reveals some interesting facts about the world of employment. It mentions, contrary to fears that AI could lead to mass layoffs, business leaders and executives now believe that the advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI) will encourage companies to hire more workers.
A research arm of the freelance marketplace, Upwork Research Institute, polled 1,400 U.S. business leaders, from senior managers to C-suite executives, about their company’s usage of AI and how it will affect their future workforce.
64% of C-suite respondents stated they anticipate hiring more professionals of all types as a result of generative AI. When asked if the workers they want to hire will be classed as full-time employees or freelancers, 49% of the business executives surveyed responded that they will be freelancers, while 49% said full-time workers, leaving them evenly divided.
According to the survey, there is a gap between senior managers and C-suite executives in terms of how much generative AI is being used by their organizations. Only 54% of vice presidents, 52% of directors, and 53% of senior managers agreed with the 73% of C-suite executives who stated their organization embraces AI.
AI Automate Tasks, Not Jobs
There are disparities in the adoption of AI depending on a company’s size and how much of its personnel are physically present in the office versus working remotely. According to the poll, 62% of midsized businesses with staff counts between 501 and 5,000 are using AI, compared to 41% of larger businesses with employee counts over 5,001 and 56% of small businesses with employee counts between 251 and 500.
According to Kelly Monahan, managing director of the Upwork Research Institute, “Early results from our study indicate that adopting generative AI at all organizational levels will be crucial. However, our poll reveals that there is now a rift between C-suite executives and their staff, which is probably caused by a dearth of knowledge about how this technology will affect the workplace”.
She added, “Businesses that want to bridge this gap should roll out a change management strategy that includes: communicating the expected outcomes for their workforce with generative AI adoption, and clear policies.”
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Why are More Americans Choosing Freelance and Part-time Work?
The labour market is continuing to change as part-time and freelance employment become more prevalent with a little over a third of US workers currently engaging in one of the two. This interesting analysis I found on the website Scrippsnews mentions that for people without employment, it’s not only a means to an end. Many employees are cheerfully switching from full-time employment to part-time or freelance work.
According to government data released in early June, 21.8 million Americans choose to work part-time, or for reasons other than economic need. Over the past years, there has been a decrease in the number of people who work part-time for financial reasons. According to a report by Upwork and the Freelancers Union, there has been an increase in freelance work over the previous ten years, thus the trend is not new to the country.
According to Lindsey Cameron, an assistant professor of management at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, “We have become dependent on these activities as a society. And to have a labour pool that can be called upon to deliver our packages, groceries, and other necessities. As a result, freelance work is here to stay.”
“But I believe that the more important factor to consider is that these businesses rely on their employees working as independent contractors since they are on-demand services that can be accessed whenever you need them. That makes it much more difficult to have staff because you then have to pay for all the unpaid waiting time.
Workers are now able to seek more flexible work and lifestyle options because of the robust job market. The Labor Department revealed there were almost two openings for every job seeker as firms added additional positions for the spring.
Freelancers Under Fire: Legislation Threatens Gig Economy Workers
In its recent article, the platform AllWork made it clear that a federal law has been reintroduced that seeks to formalize the California ABC test, which some fear would redefine the gig economy. The Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) trial-run law in California is the overarching fear and uncertainty felt by many professionals working as a freelancer.
The article highlights that when the proposed legislation last came up for a vote in Congress, those who work in the gig economy were three votes away from a decision that might completely alter their way of life. The Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2023 (PRO Act), Senate Bill 567, has the power to fundamentally modify American labour law.
The article further reads, Sen. Bernie Sanders reintroduced the bill on February 28 after the last Congress failed to pass it and sent it to President Biden for consideration. By just three votes, it missed the boat.
With the current divided Congress, it appears extremely improbable that the PRO Act will become formal legislation anytime soon. AB5 may be considered a career coup for gig workers in California because it was meant to redefine as many independent professionals as possible in the state
How are Freelancers Responding?
California was regarded as the “beta-test” state, the starting point for this novel kind of regulation. However, many individuals employed in the gig economy made note of what transpired in California and were ready for what lay ahead.
According to Kaplan, this is how the Fight For Freelancers USA got its start as “a nonpartisan, ad hoc, all-volunteer, and self-funded group.” The group protested against what Fight For Freelancers called a “copycat bill” from New Jersey that was remarkably similar to California’s AB5.
To raise awareness, the employees called lawmakers, published op-eds for local and national publications, and spoke before the Congress. Interesting, anyone would expect such reactions from them.
