The digital revolution has sparked many changes, but few are as significant as the shift in how we work. The digital age has created an entirely new workforce of independent contractors who enjoy flexible schedules. But it’s not all good news. Digital tools have also led to job insecurity among workers, who feel more vulnerable than before the digital revolution. In this blog post, we will discuss how independent contractors can adapt in this new environment.
What Is The Digital Revolution?
Since around 2000, massive changes in digital technology have swept the globe. Among these advances are online music streaming services, on-demand television, and social networking sites. While we design some of these technological advances solely for personal use, others may also be useful for businesses. This is where things get interesting for independent contractors.
Digital technologies have allowed companies to communicate with their employees in new ways. Many employers no longer require an office because remote working is now possible. As a result, they are increasingly turning to remote workforces composed of independent contractors who can set their own schedules. This digital revolution has allowed workers to enjoy more flexibility than ever before, so they now have less job security.
How Does It Affect Independent Contractors?
The digital revolution has affected nearly every aspect of business, communications, and the economy. This trend is not showing any signs of slowing down as digital technology becomes more advanced with each passing day. Independent contractors are also affected by this digital transformation positively and negatively. This depends on how they choose to adapt their businesses through technological advances.
For example, new technologies allow independent workers access to countless new clients without having to go through an intermediary. However, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to stand out amongst an ever-growing crowd within online freelancing marketplaces. Today’s digital world brings both exciting challenges and opportunities, which will be explored further below.
Opportunities For Independent Contractors In The Digital Age
The digital economy has created entirely new opportunities for independent contractors. Here are just a few examples:
Location Independence
Technology has made it possible for digital workers to work from anywhere with an internet connection easily. This includes working remotely or even traveling around the world without having to worry about missing important deadlines.
Freelancers now have access to online marketplaces where they can be instantly connected with millions of potential clients looking for digital services. These platforms also provide instant feedback on completed work, allowing digital freelancers to improve their skills over time to remain competitive.
Flexible Work Schedule
Technology has allowed digital workers more flexibility in setting their work schedule, which can be beneficial for those who are unable or prefer not to work in an office environment.
This also means that freelance digital workers have somewhat less control over how many hours they work per day and during times of peak demand, creating possibilities for employers to exploit digital workers in the absence of clear guidelines regarding expected work hours.
This also makes it more difficult for both employers and employees to keep track of all the hours logged during work. A quick way to resolve this problem is to generate paystubs online to make the process quick and smooth.
Challenges For Independent Contractors In The Digital Age
During the digital revolution, one of the biggest challenges is the saturation of hundreds of thousands of digital workers, which makes it increasingly difficult for digital freelancers to stand out among the crowd. Unfortunately, this also results in increased competition and a lower pay scale, as there are more digital professionals than potential clients ready and willing to hire them.
As a result, independent contractors may have much less control over how many hours they work per day and during specific periods of peak demand. This creates opportunities where employers could exploit workers if they do not set strict guidelines surrounding working conditions.
How Do I Get Started?
Once you have a digital product or service to sell, it’s time to find your first digital customer. Anyone with an internet connection can be a potential client in the digital age, but how do you reach them?
As mentioned above, platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer provide freelancers access to millions of clients from all over the world, no matter what type of digital service they provide.
Once you gain your first few clients, you’ll need to make sure you generate your 1099 promptly to avoid financial liabilities as a freelancer.
Final Thoughts
Digital technology has changed the way we live, work, and communicate. While it is difficult to predict how the technological advancements will affect workers 20 years from now, one thing is certain: digital communication will continue to play a significant role in our everyday lives as more people move away from traditional forms of communication such as face-to-face interactions or phone calls.
Technology continues to advance at an unprecedented rate, which means new opportunities are being created every day for digital professionals who have access to proper education and training to stay ahead of the curve when adapting skills needed within their field. Success will come to those who are hard-working and adaptable to the rapid change brought about by the digital revolution.
