The benefits of freelancing vary based on the profession, but some benefits are the same across the board. For example, many freelancers value being able to set their own hours instead of being required to work around the schedule of dozens of coworkers. Depending on the freelance career, a freelancer can usually do all or most of his or her work from home. Some freelancers even decide to call exotic or foreign places home because they are not required to stay in a specific location. Lastly, the benefits of freelancing that a vast majority of freelancers have is some flexibility in who they work for, what they do, and how much to charge their clients.
Not working specific hours is a benefit of freelancing that many people enjoy. Aside from having to meet with a client at a certain time, freelancers can often work on their own hours, whether those hours are in the middle of the night or in the afternoon. Flexibility in their work schedule gives them more flexibility in non-work related appointments, like meeting with friends and family, attending school, and other everyday events.
Other benefits of freelancing include being able to work from home. Writers, artists, and programmers are some types of freelancers who frequently work from home. This can be especially beneficial when the freelancer has children too young to attend school. Working from home can also be less stressful for those who do not enjoy interacting with coworkers on a frequent basis. Introverts in general may have an easier time working from home rather than a professional workplace due to their typical need to have alone time.
Some freelancers enjoy being location independent, meaning they can pick up their work and live some place else. This is especially useful when someone is being paid in a strong currency and living in a country with weaker currency. For example, it might be beneficial to work virtually in the United Kingdom but live in the Philippines.
Other benefits of freelancing include being able to decide factors such as the amount of time dedicated to working, what clients to work for, and how much to charge. This means that a freelancer can essentially earn as much or as little as he or she desires by altering the amount of time dedicated to working and the pace at which he or she works. Freelancers do not typically earn an hourly wage but instead receive payment directly based on performing specific functions. This means that the freelancer is the direct beneficiary of an increase in efficiency and that he or she can essentially receive gradual pay raises as he or she increases in competency.