Fair or not, the label “freelancer” carries with it some negative connotations.
Some people think freelancers are flighty, averse to corporate settings or “lost” when it comes to their career direction. Others think all freelancers are creatives who lack business acumen and the general qualities of an entrepreneur.
If you read the headline of this article, you no doubt know where this is going. It’s time to stop thinking of freelancing as an aimless, temporary means for making ends meet. Technology and the rise of the gig economy have made it possible for ambitious solopreneurs to turn their talents into viable businesses. For these professionals, freelance isn’t a fallback; it’s a chosen way of life.
At AND CO, we were curious about the growing influence of independent workers within the global economy. Beyond statistics around the sheer volume of freelancers, we were most curious to learn about the behaviors, motivations and mindsets of today’s independent workers. And so, we interviewed hundreds of such professionals from around the world.
Contrary to the perception that freelancers are taking on gig work because they have no other choice, respondents of our survey overwhelmingly told us that they are independent because they want to be, not because they have to be.
The results of our findings informed The Slash Workers, a new report on the changing face of freelance. While the research confirmed some of our hunches, other findings surprised us. All in all, the survey paints a clearer picture of how independent workers view their professional ambitions—beyond the stigma.
Our favorite finding: People are choosing to freelance
Contrary to the perception that freelancers are taking on gig work because they have no other choice, respondents of our survey overwhelmingly told us that they are independent because they want to be, not because they have to be.
Just 6 percent of respondents told us they were freelancing until a compelling full-time role comes along. And while a significant share would be open to re-entering the traditional workforce down the line (depending on the opportunity), more than 40 percent of respondents told us they intend to freelance “forever.”
Why choose an independent work path? Growth & flexibility
Freelancers aren’t jumping out of their cubicles for the perceived financial upside. In fact, just 7 percent of respondents said they went freelance because they believed they would earn more money this way.
