With the advent of the internet, working has been redefined. Nonetheless, many white collar workers are required to physically turn up to an office. But remote working is a trend that has only just started. Gone are the days of having to be a worker, now people can be freelancers or even solopreneurs.
With tools at our disposal to delegate tasks, the digital world has taken a huge leap in recent years. People can easily turn their knowledge and skills into a viable career, and many young people are doing this. An individual can build their own career, creating their own dream jobs from scratch. And there’s a word for it – solopreneurship.
Millennials get a lot of bad press, but there is no denying that buying a house is extremely difficult – especially in the Western world. The old mantra of going to University, getting a 9 – 5 job, starting a family and then buying a house is non-existent. Many young people now value experiences before things and look for careers that excite them. Hence why so many are turning to freelancing and being entrepreneurs.
There are many traits of a successful business owner as outlined here in Aktinmotion, but you can hone them over time. A great core skill where many people start is writing. All companies need some sort of writing services, whether on social media, emails, or even adverts.
And as everything is bought online, there’s never been a better time to start. Being good at writing, paired with savvy online marketing is a gold mine that one person can quite easily do on their own.
An easy way to get started in affiliate marketing. It costs nothing to start and making money is simple. All you need to do is drive traffic, and when someone clicks your link and makes a purchase you will receive a commission. It’s an opportunity in all industries from forex trading to online gambling.
You can do it on social media or make your own website, and there are plenty of tools to learn. Also, you can check out some of the professionals’ work. For online sportsbooks, for example, there are top betting sites like SBO that help punters with pretty much everything. From claiming a generous welcome bonus to well-written reviews, these sites provide value to their audience, and in turn make money.
Perhaps you are creative? If so, it’s never been a better time to be a graphic designer. All websites, adverts, and social media pages need eye-catching design, and you can make excellent money from it. All you need is a computer, internet, relevant software, and a bank account – and boom you’re in business.
The only thing you need to work on is sales, and as renowned marketing expert Gary Vee says “sales is the lifeblood for solopreneurs”. This is because without cash in the business you cannot function and certainly not grow.
There are plenty of benefits to freelancing as opposed to a regular employee job. Location is the main selling point, as you just need an internet connection to get your work done. For Westerners, it’s ideal, to earn money in dollars, pounds, or euros and choose to live somewhere with a weak currency.
Places across the world have become “digital nomad” hubs for a wide range of reasons. Asia is particularly a hotbed, because of its great food, and tropical temperature. Working from the beach in Bali trumps having to commute to work at a London office, with so many people now realizing the potential.
Taxes are an excellent selling point too, being much lower compared to that of the USA or UK. Communities are popping up globally, with Chiang Mai in Thailand being very popular for freelancers to work and live.
The COVID pandemic accelerated the process of remote working and the notion of solopreneurship. Dubbed “the Great Resignation”, many workers across the world became sick and tired of the office and decided to go out on their own. The trend doesn’t look like it’s faltering either, with an estimated 50% of the workforce expected to be freelancers by 2030.
The move also benefits companies too. Just having to pay for the work, rather than the other costs associated with employees like health benefits, national insurance contributions and so on. It has opened the world up to have an onus on quality. And with many different freelance platforms available such as Fiverr and Upwork, companies can advertise jobs quickly.
It has led to workers following their passions and engaging in work that excites them. Work now is something that should be undertaken, but not dominate an individual’s life. And with so many different disciplines to choose from, from SEO to coding, as the world is de facto online, so is the workforce.
Being a solopreneur does have its challenges though, as opposed to being a regular worker. One has to be always motivated and the notion that your earnings have no ceiling also works the opposite. Some months might be tough, as there might be no earnings at all. In addition, if you’re in a foreign country, this may be a bit much for some.
It’s certainly a risk/reward scenario but if you are willing to put in the effort and hone your skills, there is no reason why you cannot succeed. Why? Because currently, many others are. Getting paid is simple too, anyone has access to mobile banking such as Revolut or TransferWise. So, you can even charge in separate currencies and have clients all around the world.
A solopreneur has to be jack of all trades, and has to be extroverted, networking wherever possible. Always selling yourself is the key, and having plenty of options to choose from. If you are over reliant on one client, you may be heading for a disaster.
But with COVID basically over and countries opening up, maybe it’s time to question yourself. Should I consider being a solopreneur and live life to the fullest? Only you know the answer.
