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<p><em>Do people around you decide to stop being employees? Do you understand their reasons, or do you wish to start a business too? Over time, we had the opportunity to discuss this with many professionals, and we asked them why they decided to become freelancers. Consequently, let us give you a few reasons why people become freelancers in 2024.</em></p> <p></p> <h3>Why become a freelancer: the most popular reasons</h3> <p>Since Momenteo exists, we have had the chance to meet several freelancers who agreed to share their experiences with us. And unlike what we may think, it is not because they were looking for a better salary that they decided to leave the world of employment. Here are their answers.</p> <p></p> <p><strong>I need more flexibility</strong></p> <p>Many people are not made for 9 to 5 routines. Whether it is because they are more productive in the evenings or prefer to choose their schedule, several freelancers chose this option in order to get more flexibility. Moreover, they often can work from home, saving them a lot of time or deciding where they will be working from.</p> <p>Find the advantages of working from a <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/9-benefits-of-working-from-a-coworking-space" target="_blank">coworking space</a>.</p> <p></p> <p><strong>I do not enjoy being an employee</strong></p> <p>In the same vein, many workers realize that they are not fond of being employees. This situation influences many people to become entrepreneurs, whether it is because they have a demanding or toxic boss, do not like what they do, or dislike having no power over anything. Some would even say that doing so helped them save their mental health; however, we must not forget that becoming a freelancer is not worry-free. Indeed, with great powers often come great responsibilities.</p> <p></p> <p><strong>I need a better work-family balance</strong></p> <p>Another popular answer among the people we met is the need for a better work-family balance. Many parents have stated the need to be more present for their children. Moreover, a freelancer will likely have more flexibility than an employee. Most of the time, they can play with their schedule more easily, which is essential if you have no daycare or your child is sick.</p> <p></p> <p><strong>I wanted to work abroad</strong></p> <p>If we remain on the topic of flexibility, many people mentioned that they decided to become freelancers because they wanted to have the opportunity to work abroad. Whether to work in the Caribbeans during winter time or balance work and travel, more and more workers have decided to become <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/interview-with-two-digital-nomads" target="_blank">digital nomads</a>. In addition, today&rsquo;s digital tools allow people to work from remote locations and even other countries more easily.</p> <p></p> <p><strong>I wanted to choose my projects and clients</strong></p> <p>Have you ever experienced cognitive dissonance? It is when a situation is in contradiction with your values. If you already have been an employee, you might have lived in a situation where you did not want to work on a project or a certain type of client. By becoming a freelancer, you will have the opportunity to choose your projects and clients. Most of the time, it is not an employee-employer relationship but something more collaborative.</p> <p></p> <h3>How to become a freelancer smoothly</h3> <p>If you want to become a freelancer but want to do it with a plan, what can you do to prepare yourself for this adequately? We found three essential elements to take into consideration.</p> <p></p> <p><strong>Make a plan and meet advisors</strong></p> <p>To begin with, ask yourself why you want to become a freelancer and make a plan. Which services do you want to offer? How many hours do you want to work? What will your clients look like, and from where are you going to work? What about your revenues? To help you with taxes, financial planning, or retirement plans, we invite you to meet a professional like an accountant or a financial advisor.</p> <p></p> <p><strong>Start by finding a few contracts</strong></p> <p>Second, a tip given by some of our freelancers is to start your entrepreneurial adventure while keeping your job. Indeed, by working a few hours in the evenings or weekends, you could start looking for your first clients and get your first contracts. This way, you can see if you like this lifestyle. When you finally have financial stability, you will have everything in hand to say goodbye to your job and become your own boss.</p> <p></p> <p><strong>Prepare an emergency fund</strong></p> <p>Finally, we all know freelancers faced important challenges in the last few years. A way to better prepare yourself for these events is to have a sufficient <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/the-importance-of-an-emergency-fund" target="_blank">emergency fund</a> that covers all your essential expenses. Here, we are talking about an amount between three and six months. Thus, if your most important client decides not to work with you or if a new pandemic occurs, you will have some money to help you with this new problematic situation.</p> <p></p> <p>In conclusion, can everyone become a freelancer? We believe that yes. Is everyone made for this lifestyle? No. However, if you are looking for more flexibility, know that you are not made to be an employee all your life, or want a better work-family balance, it could be an interesting option. If you want to read testimonials, do not hesitate to <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/" target="_blank">check our blog</a> and discover our portraits of freelancers.</p>