Freelancing Popularity

Lately I've heard top AI companies offering seven-figure packages for specialized talent from San Francisco to Singapore 🤯 🇺🇲 U.S. reports confirm this: AI roles saw 10.4% wage growth in 2024 (3x national average) according to Veritone, with AI freelancers earning 21-40% more than peers per Oxford Institute research. 🌎 We validated this with Deel's global data spanning 150+ countries across full-time and contract roles. Turns out, these trends are even more pronounced globally: - Contracts with "AI" in job titles surged 585% from 2023 to 2024 - We've processed more AI-related contracts in 2025 than in all of 2023 - AI Engineers saw a 340% increase in contracts, while senior AI leadership roles tripled - The median AI salary is 120% higher than all other roles – up 6% YoY What's the impact? In the short-term: a widening pay gap between AI and traditional tech positions. But in the long-term: I see three major shifts coming: 📈 1 - Rising compensation across tech roles as market adjustments ripple out 💰 2 - Premium salaries for professionals combining AI with domain expertise (finance, healthcare, etc) 🌐 3 - Innovation hubs diversifying globally beyond traditional tech centers The AI talent wars will rewrite the global playbook for how technical talent is valued everywhere. What are you seeing? I'd love to hear from others who’ve experienced this firsthand. And we’ll unpack this global trend more deeply in our upcoming AI Jobs Report – stay tuned.

Getting success in career and life is important but not at the cost of health! We software engineers, working professionals spend so much time in front of our desktop. Little habits for long-term success: 🔸 Eye health: I follow the 20-20-20 rule (looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes) to reduce eye strain and maintain good vision. 🔸 Mental well-being: Regular exercise, proper sleep, and stress management techniques can help reduce the risk of burnout. 🔸 Posture and ergonomics: Setting up an ergonomic workspace, using an adjustable chair and desk, and maintaining proper posture can help prevent these problems & improve comfort. 🔸 Hydration discipline: Keep a bottle at your desk and make it a habit to drink water every hour — helps with energy, focus, and digestion. 🔸 Microbreaks: Stand up, stretch, or take a 2-minute walk every hour to recharge your body and avoid stiffness or fatigue. 🔸 Digital detox time: Allocate at least 30 minutes a day away from all screens — it boosts mental clarity and reduces digital fatigue. 🔸 Deep work boundaries: Block out 1–2 hours of focused, distraction-free work and protect that time — it improves productivity and reduces the need for overtime. 🔸 Mindful eating: Don’t eat at your desk while coding or replying to emails. Take a proper lunch break — it helps digestion and refreshes the mind. Remember, your health is your real wealth. Let’s build careers that don’t cost us our well-being. Follow Saumya Singh for career growth ❤️ PS : picture if from my recent event at NIT, Durgapur. #growth #career #saumya1singh #guidance

💡New research from Dartmouth and Princeton reveals a fundamental problem: When AI makes writing effortless, it destroys writing's value as a signal of skill. The study analyzed 2.7 million job applications on Freelancer.com before and after ChatGPT's release. Before LLMs, customized proposals were costly to produce—they required time and effort. Employers paid a premium for it. 💡 After LLMs? Anyone can generate a polished, tailored proposal in seconds at near-zero cost. The signal collapsed. Employers stopped valuing customization because it no longer predicted job performance. 💡💡 The result: According to the researchers' model, top workers (top 20% by ability) now get hired 19% less often, while bottom-tier workers get hired 14% more. The market became measurably less meritocratic. This creates a real tension: LLMs democratize professional communication, helping workers who struggle with writing—but they also destroy the information employers need to identify truly skilled workers. Full paper: https://lnkd.in/eHdbtkWM #AI #LaborEconomics #FutureOfWork #ChatGPT

$100 vs $1000 freelancer Spoiler: It’s not just the skill. Sure, the $100 freelancer might be a 3/5 in terms of skill. And the $1,000 freelancer? Maybe a 4/5. But that 1-point gap in skill doesn’t explain a 10x price tag. So what actually does? Let’s break it down 👇 🎯 Personal Brand $100 Freelancer: 1/5 : Struggling with visibility, barely showing up online. $1,000 Freelancer: 5/5 : Shows up like a brand, builds trust even before the first call. 🎯 Presentation $100 Freelancer: 2/5 : Focuses only on deliverables, not the client experience. $1,000 Freelancer: 5/5 : From pitch decks to emails, everything feels premium. 🎯 Upskilling $100 Freelancer: 2.5/5 : Thinks one course or a few YouTube videos are enough. $1,000 Freelancer: 4.5/5 : Always learning, investing in mentors, staying ahead. 🎯 Network $100 Freelancer: 2/5 : Surrounded by people earning the same or less. $1,000 Freelancer: 5/5 : Spends time with high-performing individuals and grows through osmosis. 🎯 Pricing Strategy $100 Freelancer: 1.5/5 : Struggles to justify value, often undercharges. $1,000 Freelancer: 4.5/5 : Packages outcomes, not hours. Positions instead of pitching. After managing 300+ clients through my agency and working with freelancers at every stage - Here’s what I’ve realized: The $1,000 freelancer doesn’t just deliver more. They position better, present better, and think bigger. So next time you wonder why someone is charging more than you — Don’t default to “they’re overpriced.” Instead ask: What do they know that I’m not doing yet? Because pricing isn’t just about skill. It’s about strategy, visibility, and self-worth. Hope this helps!

It’s time to advance the AI debate beyond binary, zero sum analyses and take lessons - and encouragement - from the emergence of a flexible, capable, AI-savvy workforce segment in real time: freelancers. A recent The New York Times article explores a growing question in the age of AI: Are junior roles most at risk of automation, or are experienced, high-paid employees more vulnerable, especially if they’re slow to adopt new tools? The answer has big implications for how companies build teams. On Upwork, we’re seeing an alternative future emerge: companies hiring at an increased clip — specifically expanding their hiring of AI-capable freelance talent to supplement existing FTE teams and turbocharge their business evolution for the AI era. Freelancers represent a growing segment of the labor force (already more than a third of US knowledge workers) — and are disproportionately AI-savvy. There were a quarter of a million of these AI expert freelancers earning on our platform in the last year alone - and they represent an important talent pool that is supplementing traditional employment with more flexible talent models. In sum: companies’ AI strategies are not simply trading off employees for AI — they are creating net new hiring opportunities that cater to a different, more flexible, and AI-educated population. These freelancers are using their AI expertise to help companies move faster and adapt smarter. According to our research, 88% of freelancers say AI has positively impacted their careers. They’re combining human expertise with AI tools to deliver value where it’s needed most. And business demand reflects this shift. In the first quarter of 2025, AI-related work on our platform grew 25% year over year, with growth not only in technical roles like AI development but also in non-technical areas like design, project management, and corporate law. These freelancers are not only in demand—they’re earning a premium for their skills. Our discourse needs to move beyond choosing between junior or senior talent or debating who’s most at risk. We are seeing the emergence of a more adaptive and resilient workforce in real time. Freelancers are modeling that future—AI-enabled, flexible, and built for what’s next. Check out the links to the New York Times article and Upwork research in comments. #FutureOfWork #Freelancers #AI #WorkforceTransformation #UpworkResearch

The 9-to-5 Exodus: Why The "Tough Job Market" Is Actually Creating Career Winners New LinkedIn data reveals something fascinating: while hiring is down 25% from pre-pandemic levels and job seekers are more pessimistic than ever, smart professionals are doing something unexpected—they're abandoning the traditional employment hunt entirely. 🔹 What I'm seeing in my executive coaching practice: The professionals thriving right now aren't the ones desperately applying to 200+ jobs. They're the ones who looked at the "8.4% hiring slowdown" and said, "I'm building my own opportunities." Last quarter alone, I coached a marketing director who launched a fractional CMO practice (booked solid in 6 weeks), a finance VP who started tax consulting (earning 40% more than her corporate salary), and an HR executive who created a remote team-building business (serving companies that can't afford full-time HR talent). 🔹Here's the plot twist everyone's missing: This isn't a retreat into gig work—it's a strategic advance. While everyone else competes for fewer jobs, these professionals created their own market where they're the only candidate. 🔹Why this "tough job market" is actually brilliant for the bold: ✅ Corporate Desperation = Consulting Gold: Companies pay premium rates for project expertise they can't hire full-time ✅ Skills Arbitrage: Your knowledge is worth more as a service than a salary ✅ Income Control: Employees negotiate once. Freelancers negotiate constantly. ✅ Competition Paradox: 100+ people fight for jobs; freelancers often win contracts unopposed 🔹The $2 trillion reality check: The global gig economy is projected to hit $2 trillion by 2033. That's not a side hustle—that's the new economy. And it's being built by professionals who refused to wait for permission to succeed. Companies are discovering that they can access specialized expertise without incurring overhead. Professionals are discovering they can earn more while working less. The "job shortage" is a redistribution of talent into higher-value work arrangements. The tough job market isn't a problem to solve—it's a signal to evolve. Coaching can help; let's chat. Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Joshua Miller for more tips on coaching, leadership, career + mindset. #TheWorkShift #GigEconomy #FutureOfWork #ExecutiveCoaching #CareerAdvice

While I started flourishing in my career, I was mistreating my body in 2022. When I left my full-time job and started freelancing from home, I often rewarded myself with Zomato treats. While everyone talks about the advantages of remote work, very few acknowledge how it affects one's health. With the pandemic, I was unable to exercise & go out. I sat for long hours and consumed junk food from food delivery apps. It made me overweight, and upon tracking, I found that I ordered every alternate day from Zomato & was over spending. As a freelancer & agency owner, neglecting your health and diet is easy when you have to sit for extended periods. However, I realised I needed to make a change for my well-being. I started tracking my bills and incorporating mini workouts into my daily routine at home. This helped me control my junk food cravings and unnecessary spending on ordering in. 3 underrated ways I've been following for the past year to avoid overspending on food delivery and take care of my health: 1. Meal prep: I cook the healthier version of food that I crave during the week. For example: If I craved noodles, I would have millet noodles with overload veggies. 2. Hydration reminders: Staying hydrated limits mindless snacking. I set reminders to drink water regularly. I also drink a coconut water everyday. 3. Movement breaks When I can take a call while walking, I do. 4. Working out 3-4 times It’s been difficult to also include workout hours while setting up a new business & life. But, hey! I try. It is important that you don’t let your health take a backseat. You started a business for a better lifestyle. So, don’t trade one for the other. #Workout #Agencyowner #Marketing

Inside this post: how to stop being "just another freelancer" — plus, a free swipe file that took me 3 years to build. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: The way most freelancers are taught to "succeed" is broken. And if you don’t fix it, you’ll stay stuck: → Constantly chasing clients. → Charging too little. → Wondering why others grow and you don’t. Freelancers aren't failing because they aren't talented. They're failing because they were handed a broken roadmap. Here's the traditional freelance advice you probably heard: 🔴 Work harder than everyone else. 🔴 Say yes to every project. 🔴 Keep your rates low to "build experience." 🔴 Cold pitch 50 people a day. 🔴 Hope clients notice you. 🙄 If this actually worked, every freelancer would be rich and booked out, right? But here’s what really happens: You become a replaceable commodity. You burn out — physically, mentally, financially. Clients treat you like an order-taker, not a trusted partner. That's NOT the freelancing life you signed up for. Here’s How to Fix It (and Start Winning) 🔹 1. Start Treating Yourself Like a Brand, Not a Service A brand commands trust, respect, and premium prices. Build a brand identity that clearly shows: ↳Who you help ↳How you help ↳Why you're different 🔹 2. Focus on Client Outcomes, Not Just Deliverables Clients don't buy logos. They buy confidence, speed, and peace of mind. Shift your language from “what” you deliver to “what result” you create. 🔹 3. Build Authority Before You Sell Trust is earned before the sale happens. Create content that educates, inspires, and proves you’re the real deal. 🔹 4. Set Non-Negotiable Boundaries Early Saying yes to everything = saying no to scaling. Learn to qualify clients, set payment terms, and walk away from bad fits. 🔹 5. Start Thinking Like a Business Owner The goal isn't just to "stay busy" — it’s to build a scalable, respected business. Your mindset is your first business asset. Treat it seriously. -------- The Freelancer Mindset Shift Guide To make this easier, I’ve created a FREE guide: ✅ 7 mindset shifts you MUST make to win as a freelancer ✅ How to move from "order-taker" to "trusted expert" ✅ A checklist to rewire how you build your freelance career Comment "Mindset" below, and I'll send it to you. (100% free and might save you YEARS of trial and error.) Your future freelance career depends on what you believe — and how you act starting TODAY. Let's ditch the broken roadmap. Let’s build the career you deserve. 🚀 Jai Shri Krishna🦚 #TheFreelancerShift [DAY 1]

Don't just stack Skills, stack Habits too. Your energy and focus pay the price. Burnout isn’t inevitable. Small changes compound into life-changing results. Steal these science-backed daily upgrades: 1. Prioritize Sleep (7-9 Hours) → Poor sleep destroys focus and weakens immunity. → Fix: Set a non-negotiable bedtime + blackout curtains. 2. Hydrate First Thing in the Morning → Dehydration fuels fatigue and midday cravings. → Fix: Drink water before coffee + carry a bottle. 3. Walk Daily (No Excuses) → Sitting all day accelerates muscle loss and stress. → Fix: 10-minute post-meal walks or walking meetings. 4. Eat the Rainbow → Beige diets lack antioxidants and gut-friendly fiber. → Fix: Add one colorful veggie/fruit per meal. 5. Practice Mindful Eating → Scrolling while eating leads to overeating and bloating. → Fix: Eat one screen-free meal daily. Chew slowly. 6. Strength Train 2-3x/Week → Muscle loss starts at 30, increasing injury risk. → Fix: Bodyweight exercises or resistance bands for 15 mins. 7. Digital Sunset (1 Hour Before Bed) → Screens disrupt melatonin and fragment sleep cycles. → Fix: Swap scrolling for reading or journaling. 8. Practice Gratitude Daily → Negativity bias fuels chronic stress and dissatisfaction. → Fix: Write 3 gratitudes every morning in 2 minutes. 9. Breathe Deeply (Diaphragmatic Breathing) → Shallow breathing spikes anxiety and drains energy. → Fix: Inhale 4 seconds, exhale 6 seconds (3x/day). 10. Learn to Say “No” → Overcommitting breeds burnout and resentment. → Fix: “I’d love to, but I’m prioritizing X right now.” Your health is your greatest career asset. Start with one habit today. Small steps, massive ROI. ♻️ Repost to help your network. Follow me for no-fluff wellness tactics.

I've been writing recently about the need for clear digital work environments and explicit agreements to make hybrid work successful. But these systems aren't just about coordinating employees across different locations—they're essential infrastructure for the rapidly growing freelance workforce that's reshaping how business gets done. The evidence is compelling: According to new research from Remote’s "State of Freelance Work 2025" report, 91% of companies have maintained or increased their use of freelancers over the past three years, with 52% explicitly expanding their freelance utilization. This isn't a temporary shift but a fundamental transformation of work relationships. The data shows engineering and IT leading freelance adoption (37%), followed by creative roles (34%), customer support (32%), and marketing (31%). What's driving workers toward freelancing? It's *not* primarily return-to-office mandates (only 6% cite this) but rather autonomy (41%), supplemental income needs (31%), and flexibility (28%). Interestingly, we're also seeing a "silver freelance" trend, with 45% of employers noting an increase in freelancers aged 55+ who bring valuable experience and mentorship capabilities. Yet despite these benefits, the administrative systems supporting this integration remain woefully inadequate—85% of freelancers report late payments, and nearly half of companies are managing these relationships through makeshift spreadsheets and disjointed processes. Which is a far cry from consistent ways of working and business rhythms. Read my article in Forbes to discover how leading organizations are building the digital infrastructure that supports both hybrid work and the fluid workforce of the future. https://lnkd.in/ep-vTuDp The investments you make today in streamlining these systems aren't just about current efficiency—they're about competitive advantage in attracting tomorrow's talent. #futureofwork #freelancers #workforce #hybridwork #enployeeexperience