{"id":4498,"date":"2017-11-03T09:00:11","date_gmt":"2017-11-03T09:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/live-alliance-virtual-office-blog.pantheonsite.io\/?p=4498"},"modified":"2025-04-05T06:23:30","modified_gmt":"2025-04-05T10:23:30","slug":"one-third-of-the-u-s-workforce-is-freelancing-heres-how-to-differentiate-your-solo-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/one-third-of-the-u-s-workforce-is-freelancing-heres-how-to-differentiate-your-solo-business\/","title":{"rendered":"One-Third of the U.S. Workforce is Freelancing: Here\u2019s How to Differentiate Your Solo Business"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Astounding new research shows that more U.S. workers than ever before are taking business into their own hands by choosing freelance flexibility over traditional employment.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the findings provide encouraging news for North America\u2019s freelance business owners, they also spell potential challenges. <\/span>Among them, freelancers are facing far greater competition from like-minded solo professionals. <\/b>Happily, help is at hand in the form of new (free) automation tools and services, which we discuss in this article.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before we get to that, let\u2019s dig a little deeper into the current trends that are driving millions of Americans into self-employment.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new report, \u2018<\/span>Freelancing in America: 2017<\/span><\/a>*\u2019, shows that independent professionals are now <\/span>contributing a whopping $1.4 trillion to the economy<\/b> every year — an increase of almost 30% since last year.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growth in the freelance workforce is not surprising. Thanks to online freelance job platforms, mobile technology and greater acceptance of outsourcing, it\u2019s now easier than ever to build a freelance business, switch to contracting or take on side gigs.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet what\u2019s particularly impressive is the speed at which freelancing is growing in the U.S.<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Currently, the \u2018Freelancing in America: 2017\u2019 report estimates that 57.3 million Americans are now in freelance mode, equating to more than one-third (36%) of the entire U.S. workforce.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the report predicts that <\/span>solopreneurship will overtake traditional employment<\/b> and form the majority of the U.S. workforce within just a decade.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s drill into some of the key highlights:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

57.3 million people freelanced in the U.S. this year.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall, the freelance workforce has grown 3x faster than the U.S. workforce since 2014. At its current growth rate, the report predicts that the majority of U.S. workers will be freelancing by 2027.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freelancers contribute $1.4 trillion to the U.S. economy annually.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s an increase of almost 30% since last year. It\u2019s a phenomenal figure that can\u2019t be ignored, and it shows that freelance workers are driving real change within the workplace system.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s about lifestyle and choice.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main motivations for freelancers are freedom and flexibility, while part-time freelancers are mostly driven by the opportunity for extra income. In other words, people want change and they\u2019re making it happen.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freelancing is more accessible.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Greater connectivity, wireless technology, mobile devices and online job<\/a> platforms are proving a key enabler for freelance workers. According to the report, freelancers are finding more work online with 71% saying the amount of work they obtained online has increased over the past year (up 5 points since 2016).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Awareness and acceptance of solopreneurship is growing.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

69% of freelancers agree that perceptions of freelancing as a career are becoming more positive (up 6 points since 2016). More companies are open to contracting freelance workers and appreciate the cost and flexibility benefits of outsourcing, compared to hiring permanent employees.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Above all, this report paints a positive picture for millions of solopreneurs and the thousands of companies that rely on their services, not to mention the countless would-be freelancers who are planning to fly solo<\/a> for the first time.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are challenges ahead.<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Freelancers experience a unique set of challenges and share the same key concerns as many of their non-freelancing counterparts. Key considerations include affordable healthcare, financial stability, debt, access to credit, and the ability to save.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of that, self-employed professionals perform a constant juggling act. In addition to working for and communicating with multiple clients, they also manage their own business, with responsibilities ranging from marketing and pitching proposals to invoicing, cash flow, expenses and tax returns.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wearing so many different hats is challenging and at times, it can be exhausting and detrimental to personal wellbeing. But there are solutions to help freelance workers and contractors recoup valuable time, streamline their processes, and focus more on the things that matter.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Automation Tips to Save Time and Improve Freelance Workflow<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Time is precious. Time is also money (especially when you\u2019re paid by the hour).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, we dive into a bunch of time-saving automation ideas to help you streamline your freelance business, free up resources, and get more done.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Automation, Automation, Automation.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How many of these mind-crushing tasks sound familiar?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n