How has the Covid 19 pandemic changed the freelancing world?
The onset of the pandemic has brought a dynamic change in the overall work culture. The major share of labor and professionals moved to the freelancing world and started to try their hands on freelancing. The pandemic has turned everyone into virtual workers and made people realize the power of technology. The ties between companies and employees have severed with the major shift. There are many research papers and case studies conducted by renowned freelance marketplace such as Brafu clearly shows some visible facts and statistics. The research reveals that the number of active freelancers has increased from 17% to 36%. These statistics give one an incredible insight into how freelancing is gradually taking the front seat and is helping skilled professionals to get consistent work and battle with the pandemic.
Freelancing a necessity Or a choice?
The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the worst outbreaks that the world has witnessed in a decade. It has affected all spheres of life. COVID has caused global uncertainties. Companies have suffered huge losses due to lockdown like situations, volatile markets, and low demand. Employers with an objective cutdown their expenses have shed many full-time, part-time, and permanent employees. In such a scenario freelancing can emerge as one of the means of survival. Though income, workflow, and work security are missing in freelancing but it is acting as a blessing in disguise and allows one to survive tactfully in the pandemic era.
Opportunity to upgrade your skills
Those who were finding it difficult to take out some time from their daily routine and try their luck in freelancing. The pandemic has made it easier to try their luck on freelancing by reducing the travel time and fostering work from home culture. It has provided one an opportunity to rethink, redefine and refine their skills as well as aspirations. Pandemic has allowed one to experiment from their comfort zone and acquire new skills. Freelancers consider freelancing as both feasts as well as famine. On one hand, there is no certainty of work, business, or income whereas, on other hand, it compels one to come out of their comfort zone and try things to make it work as a business.
Remote working is in vogue!
Earlier Freelancing wasn't much preferred by the companies due to the element of remote working and geographical limitations involved in it. However, the pandemic has changed the outlook of all organizations and companies across the world. Today, Remote working is one of the best ways to reduce the burden of full-time employees and monthly expenses. Freelancing made it easy to manage finances and work simultaneously. During the Pandemic, many companies started scouting freelancers on a project basis. This not only made it easy for companies to manage their work but also gave a chance to budding freelancers.
The Boom in Freelancing Marketplace
Immediately when the pandemic hit, freelance platforms like Toptal, Upwork, Brafu, Fiverr witnessed a surge in the number of postings on their portal. It was noticed that the posting increased considerably from 24% to 34%. Moreover, the entire year the curve showed an upward trend. Even when the market got stabled and vaccines have introduced the postings and demand of freelancers was steady and remained elevated unconditionally. One of the greatest reasons for such an elevation in the freelancing domain is due to convenience, comfort, and qualitative output that it offered. Companies found it an interactive and technologically viable option to connect with freelancers on the various freelancing marketplace and get their work done. The boom in the freelance marketplace is one of the revolutionary changes due to the pandemic.
Paradigm Shift in Freelancing
Pandemic has brought an unconventional change across all the industries. In certain occupations the shift to temporary freelancers is commendable. For instance, before the pandemic, the Freelancing portals like Brafu has only a few job postings in the communication category however, due to the pandemic this was four times higher. The companies are taking the best advantage of freelancing. The advertising, marketing, and human resources jobs are now getting converted to temporary or freelance positions.
The power of technology
Pandemic has made work flexibility a priority by allowing anyone to work from anywhere using any gadget as per convenience. Modern platforms like Zoom have tremendously flourished during the Pandemic Era facilitating work from home culture. Companies are perceiving things differently. They are being open to freelancers and are positive about the freelancing world. They are steadily understanding the benefits of hiring freelancers. Companies are more and more improving their presence of freelance platforms such as Brafu to connect with skilled freelance professionals.
Brand Yourself in the market
Long ago when digitalization and modernization have just begun the experts have predicted that the superpowers, developed and developing countries will soon have new agent nations And will have the liberty to offer their services independently and brand themselves to land gigs and get freelancing projects. The pandemic has surely made this prediction too. It has allowed professionals to expand their reach and upscale their skills. It has changed the outlook of companies and made freelancing one of the best resorts.
Blogger’s Take: Well, the trend has just started, freelancing is an infinite domain with endless opportunities. This accelerated graph of the freelancing world is going to witness and foster some remarkable change in the next few years.