Top self-employed jobs in 2019

September 4 2019 - Becoming self-employed is an increasingly popular means of making an income, as people prefer to ditch the nine-to-five for a more flexible and gratifying career path. While it undoubtedly comes with its own set of challenges, many self-employed workers claim they are more satisfied than they would be in a normal job working for a boss, citing the extra freedom they receive as one of the principal reasons.

In fact, it has become so prevalent in recent years that statistics currently show that as many as 15 million Americans in the United States have turned to self-employment - rising 5.1% between 2005 and 2015.

So, what exactly are people doing in this new found freedom? Here is a list of some of the top self-employed jobs currently being sought after.

Freelance writer

Making money from being a freelance writer has long been a popular choice amongst those who might have traditionally gone on to work as an in-house journalist at a newspaper, yet can now do it all remotely from the comfort of their home (or a sunlounger on the beach).

Good writing skills, the ability to conduct thorough research into a variety of topics, impeccable grammar, a laptop, and a reliable internet connection is all that is needed to get going in the world of freelance writing.

The internet has opened up a vast number of opportunities for writers, who will find they have many platforms where they are able to showcase their talents. Whether it's blogging, content writing, producing advertizing copy or, working for an established newspaper, there are never a shortage of roles that need filling.

Car dealer

A number of those with a knack for selling and an unshakeable enthusiasm for vehicles have turned to the car trade as a means for making a sustainable income in a position they enjoy. The second-hand car industry is booming, with an estimated 40 million light vehicles sold in 2018 in the United States.

It is important to be aware, however, of the costs associated with entering the world of car dealing, and to consult professional companies, such as the Motor Trade Insurer Tradex, to find out how to get properly insured so that business will run as smoothly as possible.

Photographer

While self-employed events photographers and photojournalists have been around for a long time, the rise of the internet has seen the arrival of numerous places for photographers to sell their images, including Alamy, Shutterstock SmugMug and Photoshelter among the most well-known. There are also websites where, like Airbnb, people can view profiles, read reviews, check out previous photos and request photographers to come and do private shoots around cities.

Although it may take time to build up a profile, once you have established yourself as a handy photographer, you can make a decent living with just your camera and some editing software.

Uber driver

Since its launch in 2009, Uber has grown to become one of the most widespread ride-hailing companies in the world, currently operating in 785 metropolitan areas around the world, making it an extremely popular way of becoming self-employed for people from Vietnam to Chile.

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