Self-employment became more common when Western countries de-industrialised in the 1980s, but the internet has caused an exponential rise. Over 15% of UK workers are self-employed, higher than ever before.
The internet has permanently fractured the business and communications landscape. Now, anyone can start their own business with only a domain registration. Anyone can become a journalist with their iPhone and an instinct for stories. The so-called ‘knowledge economy’ has permanently altered the 9-5 work routine and untied the dynamic entrepreneur from their office.
Even our university and college systems are reflecting this change. The Open University is now the largest university in the UK, with over 174,000 enrolled students during 2015-16. Most study off-campus: that is, either at home in their own time, or around another job. The best and brightest of tomorrow are adapting to the new world of work: one which is task- rather than time-based.
What can VoIP do for freelancers?
Freelancing demands a greater level of flexibility in the way you communicate. Gone are the days of fixed landline systems with geographic numbers. But for the aspiring freelance entrepreneur, a mobile phone can’t quite cut it. They don't have the same enterprise features that business phones have. If they want professionalism, they will need a VoIP system instead.
Internet phone systems, known as Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems, use the internet instead of traditional landline systems.
VoIP systems have all the enterprise features you would expect, such as call transferring and recording, at a price which is affordable for self-employed workers. You can install your own VoIP phone system for as little as £7.49/month. They can be connected directly to the internet, and permit calls to all numbers, national or international, at the same rate, which is lower than that of standard landlines. What’s more: you pay per phone on a monthly basis, maximising flexibility.
No wonder more individuals are harnessing the power of VoIP to take control of their own work lives.
Internet phone systems can be coordinated with your mobile. You can program your VoIP system remotely via Cisco Call Manager, a cloud-based software which gives you control over all incoming and outgoing calls. Through Call Manager, you can make sure that missed calls go straight to your mobile device, or any other phone connected to the internet, when you’re on the move.
As many freelancers work out-of-office (whether that be outside or inside the home), they also need maximum flexibility with their contact number. By using a virtual non-geographic number, VoIP systems can be taken anywhere, even abroad, at no extra cost. Keeping the same number is especially important for establishing and maintaining business relationships when on the move.
Internet phone systems provide professional features which set freelancers apart from the rest. Customised on-hold music and voicemail services make a big difference when competing with larger firms. Call routing allows incoming calls to be organised via separate numbers to the same phone. This means that customers and partners can call according to need, and their calls will be organised and displayed clearly for the freelancer to respond to.
The potential of VoIP telephony for the future of freelancing is clear. As work changes, so should our communications. The UK is home to over 3 million VoIP users already, and the industry is growing.
No wonder, then, that more individuals are harnessing its power to take control of their own work lives.
GRiP Communications is a UK based VoIP Service provider providing high quality affordable business telephone systems to organisations with one phone or many. All you need is an internet connection.
For more information on how VoIP works go to:
https://gripcom.co.uk/how-voip-works
To order a VoIP system online or chat about your requirements visit us at:
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