Using Freelance and Side Gigs to Advance Your Career in 2019

There are 57 million Americans who earn a living as freelance workers. Technology makes freelancing easier, and there is varied work available to people who are either looking to build a full-time career or simply earn some extra spending money.

If you’re looking to advance your career in 2019, but need to build up a portfolio, expand your network or even get your own business off the ground, freelancing is a great way to get started.

What Kind of Work Is Out There?

There are opportunities for freelance and contract work in nearly every sector. It’s often easier and cheaper for companies — especially small businesses — to hire a short-term freelancer than to hire a full-time employee who needs benefits. From marketing to writing to web design, you probably have a set of skills that are in demand for a small business locally, or for a larger company who has an ad up on the web for just such a freelancer.

A skill you’ve never even used professionally could become a freelance job. Have a nice voice and maybe some high school theater experience? Popular freelancing site UpWork reports that voiceover work is one of the most in-demand freelance skills.