Freelancing in 2022: Creators, Consumers & The Creator Economy
In 2022, it is estimated that 1.3 billion people will be employed as professional freelancers or a part of the creator economy – a figure extrapolated from current trends, which has been described as “the future workforce.”
Despite existing markets and respected jobs within the private sector, freelancers have found themselves at the forefront of the world’s labor market as consumers become more comfortable with the idea of outsourcing professional services, especially in creative or non-technical fields.
Freelancers have been quick to jump on this trend and are now working independently from anywhere in the world, often for large corporations which themselves have begun to embrace the benefits of going virtual.
This article will explore the many benefits behind freelancing, getting started, and discuss how the future of professional outsourcing is expanding greatly due to resources such as Facebook, Linkedin, Search Engines, and various professional freelancing companies.
What is the creator economy, and how will it change freelancing in 2022?
The creator economy is defined as the consumer market built on the supply and demand for influence, distribution, and content creation. The creator economy is shifting the global view on freelancing by giving entrepreneurs the chance to take control of their earning potentials and monetize their passions.
Freelance marketing in 2022 is in direct contrast to previous years due to increased free exposure, extensive opportunities, and rapid growth. Freelancers can now control their earning potential by establishing a name for themselves and leveraging the power of social media without the need of a 3rd party employer.
The ability to generate clients through the internet enables a diverse range of occupations to thrive remotely and has resulted in a significant operational industry shift.
The industry shift is a result of a recent drop in the barrier to entry for freelancers. Marketing specialists now have access to affordable online courses, unlimited social media, cost-effective digital marketing tools, technological advancements (e.g., cloud storage), and information overload strategies that weren’t as readily available in the past.
This shift has resulted in a growth spurt of millennials and generation Z, who are willing to take a chance and work for themselves instead of following traditional paths. Instead of the conventional attention economy, the critical emphasis has shifted from consuming content to creating it. Marketing freelancers from all corporate sectors are now focusing on a life of passion and personal brand development.
The rise of the creator class – who are they, and what do they want?
The creator class can be defined as content creators who share their knowledge or experiences with a social community. These individuals can be social media influencers, digital marketers, product developers, and so much more.
Maybe you are in the
creator class and
don’t even know it?
The market favors these individuals by allowing them to generate income with engagement. Digital marketers should consider the benefits of becoming a creator class member. Freelance marketing in 2022 requires individuals who can share compelling content that can be shared via social media platforms and grow their personal brand within the industry.
The rise of the creator class is related to the gig economy and advancements in digital technologies that allow for more efficient business practices such as online platforms, e-commerce, and mobile devices. Freelancers can be creators, consumers, or both of these personas, depending on the kind of work they perform. Freelancers might consider becoming creators to establish their expertise in a particular field further and become recognized within that industry.
The Role of Digital Marketers in the Creative/Creator Economy
The Role of Digital Marketers in the Creative/Creator Economy is that of an information gatherer, communicator, and influencer. Freelance digital marketers gather market intelligence to understand their audience and how they can offer the best service.
Freelancers then share this information with businesses via marketing campaigns that communicate critical insights about consumer trends. Freelancers should be using data-driven marketing strategies to drive business action.
Freelancers must also be efficient communicators to build trust with their audience and establish themselves as experts within the industry. Freelancers can utilize target audiences in combination with various digital marketing tools to connect and engage with different communities worldwide.
Within the creative creator economy, you will find marketing specialists promoting themselves, sharing their knowledge, and building expertise within the marketing freelance industry. Some of these experienced marketers have taken action or have considered becoming a creator to expand their knowledge in a particular field and become recognized for their skills.
These skilled marketers and creators have an advantage over traditional freelancers because they have proven experience by maximizing their exposure and growing their own brands.
How to become a successful freelance creator in the new economy
Freelancers who want to succeed within the creator economy must also consider their life-work balance. Freelancers who work too much without taking time to recharge may risk burning out or not placing enough attention on other areas of their lives that are just as important, such as friends and family.
Freelancing in 2022 will require a dedication to self-care, which includes setting healthy boundaries between your professional and personal space. The future of freelancing will be challenging for those who fail to keep up with current trends, technology, and expanding social media platforms.
Freelance marketing in 2022 will require skills in content development/curation, google ads, SEO specialization, advanced knowledge of multimedia tools such as video creation or editing, internet security practices, copywriting expertise, and various email marketing tactics.
Freelancers should focus on developing their personal brand to achieve success, leading to future opportunities like speaking engagements, writing books, hosting webinars, creating their own communities, etc. Marketing managers and freelance specialists in 2022 should focus on niche-specific skills and the free exposure that digital platforms allow.
Freelancing has become a lifestyle choice for those who enjoy working remotely, curating their own schedules, and generating income through multiple avenues.
Freelancers should establish themselves as industry experts if they hope to achieve future opportunities such as getting certified in whatever their niche demands. With so many accessible and affordable resources available at your fingertips, it is vital to showcase a skill set that diversifies freelancers apart from one another. Freelance marketing in 2022 won’t be about working hard but establishing yourself as an authority within your niche.
The start of your freelancing journey
To transition from a corporate digital marketer to a freelance digital marketer, you will need to have a few things in place. Freelancing requires an understanding of marketing strategy, data-driven marketing, and the ability to communicate with different kinds of people across geographical boundaries.
- Making the Transition
Often it can be scary to leave a job we have been at for an extended time. For most, stepping into the world of freelancing is a terrifying and risky action surrounded by numerous stories of hard work met with failure. However, with proper planning and execution, this does not have to be the case.
Taking control of your earning power and autonomy as a digital creator is empowering and grants Freelancers to live how they desire. When leaving your corporate job to begin freelancing, it is essential to set goals and establish milestones along the way. Marketing professionals need to understand that freelancing is a marathon, not a sprint. Freelancers who can stay the course and remain consistent will set themselves up for long-term success.
- Freelancing as a digital marketer is very competitive – where can you find work?
Freelance digital marketers should consider joining online communities that are part of their specialized niche (i.e., copywriting, SEO, or Social Media Management). The first step in finding work even after seeking help from a community of like-minded specialists, the first step in finding work involves establishing yourself as an expert.
If you aren’t already, you should consider specializing in one or two marketing areas, such as content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, e-commerce, etc. After choosing what marketing sector you’d like to begin freelancing in, it is essential to get certifications, showcase profiles with portfolios, or have a proven track record to become recognized as an expert within those specific fields. This strategy works best when applying for work on freelancer.com and upwork.com.
- Run a tight ship, fiscally speaking
Expenses and taxes add up quickly. If you are used to a corporation handling these liabilities, you will need to be prepared to manage your business expenses and tax liabilities. When establishing a budget, freelance digital marketers need to consider their education, fees, cost of living in different geographical locations, branding costs, marketing costs, and internet bandwidth costs. Software like quickbooks.com and turbotax.com are often integral in managing finances for Freelancers.
- Price your services accordingly
Too often, digital marketers undervalue their skillset. Freelancing is competitive, so Freelancers need to charge rates relevant to their skill level and the demand for Freelancers within their specific niche. Pricing realistically per your time and skill level is vital in avoiding burnout or getting taken advantage of.
It doesn’t take more than a few minutes to hop on a search engine and begin researching the appropriate pricing strategy according to your niche. Freelancers should never feel like they are entering into their profession blindly.
What online tools can freelancers take advantage of in 2022?
Freelance marketing in 2022 requires the creative use of multimedia programs for content creation and management purposes. The creative toolbox includes social media platforms, video editing software, design tools (e.g., Canva), SEO website plugins, etc. Freelancers should invest time into learning how to create sharable and engaging content in various formats, such as blog posts, social media posts, digital infographics, copywriting, etc.
Freelancers should also learn basic internet security practices to protect their online identity and reputation. Freelance marketing in 2022 is all about offering your knowledge and insight while taking advantage of the free exposure that current multimedia tools allow.
Some of the tools we use and recommend are:
Canva.com is a graphic design tool that offers a wide range of customizable templates for social media content, infographics, logos, presentations, and more. Their plans are cost-effective and beneficial for basic/intermediate graphic design projects.
Upwork.com is a website focused on connecting freelancers with employers. Freelancers can browse jobs by category and location or search for a specific job that fits their skill set. Upwork is a great place to find employment in your area of expertise.
Freelancer.com has been around for over a decade and offers similar services to upwork.com within the freelance hiring space.
Fiver.com allows listing and applying for small one-off jobs or gigs online. Jobs listed on the platform are diverse and range from all digital marketing sectors.
Semrush.com is a must-have tool for any digital marketing professional. SemRush offers a host of different digital marketing tools including, keyword analysis, competitor benchmarking, SEO Auditing, reports, backlink reports, rank tracking, and more.
Pandadoc.com is a marketing automation platform that offers a suite of tools to streamline digital marketing efforts for marketing professionals. Freelance digital marketers who use Pandadoc will enjoy features like marketing automation, proposal management, email marketing, SEO auditing, lead scoring, social media management tools, and more.
By leveraging these marketing tools, you will create and deploy more effective marketing strategies by leveraging these marketing tools. Freelancers need to establish their expertise with these tools to secure future opportunities and scale their businesses.
How to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-changing freelance digital marketing job market
Maximizing exposure is vital to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-changing freelance digital marketing job market. Taking time to create a cohesive brand image by organizing marketing campaigns into portfolios, refining your website, and consistently applying for freelancing jobs will give you the authority you need to stay relevant in the market.
In addition, refining customer service practices by offering a quick turnaround time, being responsive, and consistently submitting high-quality deliverables will give you an edge over the competition.
An excellent place to stay up to date on information that will keep you ahead of the curve is M Accelerator, as they have been a leading resource in helping digital marketers to learn how to turn themselves into businesses. They have a proven track record of helping their digital marketing clients learn how to build a brand, market themselves and their services, develop a network of clients, and scale.
While learning how to leverage various business models and strategies, digital marketers simultaneously learn to navigate the creator economy and startup space better.
Freelancing can be a great way to get started in the marketing world, but staying ahead of the curve is essential. Keeping up with current trends and technological advancements is critical for success as a Freelancer. Marketing specialists can build a successful career by utilizing their resources.
For example, resources like the one in Founders Cohorts can help you learn new strategies and business models. With the tips and details outlined in this blog, Freelancers can thrive in the ever-changing freelance digital marketing job market.