Freelancing Definition: How To Become Your Own Boss? (2022)

Most likely, if you've found your way to this page, you're considering taking the plunge into freelancing.

It's essential to remember that freelance life has fantastic benefits and a few problems, regardless of whether your motivation is a desire to work for yourself or more flexibility.

This blog will help you out in knowing all about freelancing definition and what are the jobs offered.

Freelancing can be the way to go if you want to be your boss, explore a new career, or establish a side business that focuses on your passion project.

You wouldn't be the only one if you wanted to pursue or get freelance work.

Nearly 41.1 million Americans said they were freelancers in 2019, according to a survey by MBO Partners, whether they worked a few hours per month or full-time.

According to research, 12.4 million workers were identified as full-time freelancers, and over 15 million claimed to be part-time freelancers.

What's The Origin Of The Phrase "Freelancer"?

Sir Walter Scott, a Scottish author, used the phrase for the first time in his novel Ivanhoe in 1819.

Italian and French mercenaries are referred to as "freelances" in Ivanhoe by Scott, who refers to them as free men who gave their services—in this case, their proficiency with a lance—to affluent landowners. 

They fought for their Lord against forces loyal to other noblemen, thus acting as a private army.

Thank goodness, most of this aspect of freelancing has been eliminated today.

The word "freelance" entered common usage as a noun, adjective, and adverb after being recognized by the Oxford English Dictionary in 1903 as a verb.

Freelancing Definition: What Freelancing Means?

Freelancers are employed by businesses of all kinds and types to execute tasks and freelance projects.

Still, they are responsible for covering their taxes, health insurance, pensions, and other personal payments.

Since they are self-employed, freelancers are responsible for paying for their vacation and sick days.

Professionals who work for themselves can also choose their hours and work arrangements that suit their lifestyle, including working remotely or from clients' offices.

Who Is A Freelancer?

A self-employed individual who makes a living by offering services to several clients is a freelancer or freelance worker.

These services are based on the person's abilities and are not always offered to businesses.

A freelancer is a person who works as an individual contractor and gets paid per project or task, typically for short-term projects.

A freelancer is not bound to work for a single client, therefore, free to work on multiple projects simultaneously for different people or businesses unless they have a written contract committing them to do so until a specific task is finished.

People who work for themselves are known as freelancers. Freelancers are regarded as self-employed individuals who can work on their own time for various businesses.

A freelancer works on-demand for clients, providing goods and services as and when required, as opposed to a long-term employee.

There must be something excellent about this industry if 11% of working adults in the United States work primarily as full-time independent contractors.

Generally speaking, freelancers are regarded as independent employees who, depending on their schedule, may work on their contracts full-time or as additional full-time jobs. 

As independent contractors, freelancers often need signed contracts before starting work and agree to a set payment based on the amount of time and effort required to do the assignment.

This price could be a fixed rate, a fee determined on the number of hours, days, or projects, or it could take another form.

Is Freelancing A Real Job?

According to the sixth annual "Freelancing in America" research from Upwork and Freelancers Union, more than one in four American employees, from Baby Boomers to Gen Z, freelance.

That being said, not all of the 57 million freelancers in the U.S. worked for themselves full-time.

You've probably thought about your ability to make money if you want to make freelancing your "real" profession.

Are you better off staying an employee, or can you make enough freelancing?

Presenting freelancing or understanding freelancing definition as a professional option is a key to persuading others of its viability.

Running your own small business has good connotations, whereas "freelancing" can have negative ones.

When you work as a freelancer, you serve as the CEO, CFO, account manager, marketing department, office manager, and intern, in addition to being the writer for the company. 

You manage a real business: negotiate with customers, pay taxes, and sign contracts.

The labor market's future is freelancing, yet today's workforce is anchored in the past.

    > It's like owning a small business

You become a Renaissance Worker, basically running your own business when you freelance full-time.

You are in charge, but you have just as many duties as a worker employed by a firm, if not more.

    > You possess expertise in your industry

In the industry you work in, you are an expert. Talk about your industry's difficulties, achievements, and current events.

Describe your daily activities in detail.

    > Offer information

Currently, one in three Americans who are employed is a freelancer. Forty-two million people, to be exact. 

    > Put a focus on professionalism

The freelancer in pajamas inspires jealousy in the back of one's mind.

Even if you come to work in your jammies, emphasize your 40-hour work week to demonstrate your professionalism.

What Is A Freelancing Job?

In a freelance position, the employee works for themselves rather than an employer.

Even though they accept contract work from businesses and organizations, freelancers are ultimately self-employed.

Freelancers are in charge of various tasks that are not the responsibility of traditional workers.

Including scheduling their work hours, keeping account of the time spent on multiple projects, billing clients, and paying their employment and company taxes. 

The businesses that hire freelancers refer to them as "contractors" rather than "employees."

Freelancers can either use third-party marketplaces like Fiverr, 99designs, etc., to get work or leverage their network to find new clients and expand their business.

Types Of Freelance Jobs

Although there are various freelancers, they typically fall under the category of knowledge workers with a high level of expertise in a particular field, such as designers, authors, programmers, translators, project managers, etc.

However, another category of independent professionals is frequently categorized as "gig workers" or "contractors."

This group might include independent drivers, cleaners, construction laborers, and handypersons.

Freelancers and writing gig workers vary most noticeably in that the former frequently use the internet to deliver their work.

There are 53 million independent contractors in the U.S., which is rising.

1.4 million British citizens work as independent contractors in all industries in the U.K.

Additionally, 11 million adults in Europe, or 7% of the adult workforce, today work as independent contractors. 

There is a massive demand for freelance abilities because so many independent contractors make a living in the gig economy.

But what are they, and what are the most sought-after freelancing jobs?

Here are the top 14 most in demand as well as most famous types of freelance jobs:

    1. Freelance Writer

A freelance writer means an author who works for themselves and accepts assignments from different clients for short-term and long-term projects.

Freelance writing jobs include blogs, articles, resumes, and site material. Most freelance writers work from home and enjoy flexible schedules, whether writing for a business or an individual.

In addition to having excellent linguistic abilities, freelance writers can meet deadlines.

    2. Freelance Copywriter

Freelance copywriters create content for businesses, typically under contract with their clients.

They produce different content, including essays, ebooks, case studies, white papers, press releases, website text, and blog entries.

Freelance copywriters may collaborate with customers directly through writing firms or internet job boards. 

If you want to know more then you can check out this guide on "How To Make Your Career In Copywriting With No Experience"

    3. Developer

One of the professions with the highest demand is programming.

Every company, group, and creative endeavor needs a robust internet presence in the modern world. Someone needs to create it, whether it be a website or an app.

Like marketers, independent developers frequently specialize in specific development fields based on their level of competence.

Back-end developers concentrate on databases, scripting, and architecture development, while front-end developers convert pure code into a graphical user interface.

    4. Digital Marketer

Running paid Facebook ad campaigns or rewriting all of a website's material are both examples of freelance marketing work.

A sizable and thriving network of independent marketing experts, strategists, and consultants exists. What do all of them share? Digital aptitudes.

Business-to-business B2B copywriting, and business-to-consumer (B2C) marketing are becoming more and more similar.

Thus marketers are expected to develop, implement, and improve digital strategies that address every stage of the buyer's journey.

    5. Videographer

You'll need to wow clients with your prodigious recording and editing abilities if you want to succeed as a freelance video producer.

It will be much simpler to break into the market if you have a few years of relevant work experience, the appropriate tools and software, and a substantial project portfolio.

    6. Translator

Creating text for marketing materials, including print, web, and product descriptions, is a content writer's responsibility.

People in this position frequently work independently but may also be employed full-time.

Content writers have a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, or creative writing and are adept at written communication, spelling, and punctuation.

You'll need to wow clients with your prodigious recording and editing abilities if you want to succeed as a freelance video producer.

It will be much simpler to break into the market if you have a few years of relevant work experience, the appropriate tools and software, and a substantial project portfolio.

    7. Freelance Recruiter

Freelance recruiters look for talent for businesses across a range of industries.

Freelance recruiters must be familiar with H.R. practices because they oversee the initial hiring and interviewing procedures for their client's businesses.

Strong communication abilities and knowledge of the relevant industry are essential. When candidates accept a position, they receive a retainer payment or a commission.

    8. SEO Professional 

In the digital age, search engine optimization, or SEO, sometimes known as search engine marketing, or SEM, is very important.

A wide variety of skills are necessary for search engine optimization, one of the most well-known freelancing professions.

These include understanding link building, Google algorithms, long-tail keywords, the Panda impact, and many other topics. What do you think? If so, it might work for you.

    9. Web Designer

An independent contractor who designs client websites is a freelance website designer. Web designers develop graphic designs, construct website layouts by client needs, and maintain the website's coding.

Many independent web designers have the option of working remotely. Typically, front-end web development experience is necessary.

    10. Freelance Graphic Designer

To provide fresh design ideas, layouts, and visuals, freelance graphic designers contract with freelancing businesses and individual clients.

They are trusted to produce innovative brands and work with various media and graphic design applications.

Freelance graphic designers frequently have a graphic design degree and knowledge in conceptual design and programs like Photoshop, InDesign, and Dreamweaver.

    11. Freelance Photographer

A freelance photographer is an independent contractor who contracts for photography jobs from clients.

Wedding parties, newborn photos, and work for the fashion sector are a few examples of this.

Independent photographers charge for their sessions and possess their equipment. 

To communicate with their clients, they must have strong customer service abilities and computer skills to edit and modify photographs.

    12. Branding or P.R. Specialist

There are several freelance opportunities available to you as a brand communications specialist.

It's a broad and diverse sector of labor that might involve initiatives like product launches, branding campaigns, brand activation, native advertising, and many more.

You must be proficient in storytelling and editing and have a keen eye for visuals if you want to succeed.

As you can see, there are many professions and areas where one can freelance, and these are just a few possibilities.

Fear not if your abilities are not listed—over 9 million independent contractors work in Europe alone, filling thousands of different job categories.

By checking job boards and speaking with others in your business, start by researching to ensure a market need for your freelance talents.

Once you are clear on the freelance prospects available in your industry, start planning how to launch your freelancing career.

    13. H.R. Manager

H.R. management is crucial to every expanding (or established) company's operations.

You can perform this freelance work from home or the client's workplace.

It's not a good alternative for a total novice because you'll need to have at least some experience in a comparable position to be recruited as a freelance H.R. manager.

    14. Accountant

Which freelance positions are available for accountants?

You'd be shocked to learn how in-demand a competent bookkeeper or accountant is.

You won't have any issue entering the SMB market if you have a keen eye for detail, solid Excel skills, business acumen, and a solid understanding of tax regulations.

Moreover, keep in mind that other freelancers also require assistance with their bookkeeping.

Do Freelancers Make Enough Money?

Assume you are leaving a full-time position in the same industry to pursue freelancing. It should be simple to set your rate.

It's merely your hourly rate if you're paid hourly. If you're salaried, divide your weekly or monthly income by the number of hours you put in.

You must also determine the approximate value of any payments made by your company if you come from a situation where these benefits were covered by your employer, such as health insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, and so on.

Annual total compensation statements from certain employers contain the value of these benefits. If not, you might be able to determine a rough estimate from your pay stub.

The self-employment tax, which compensates for the Social Security and Medicare contributions that an employer would otherwise provide, should also be considered.

Even after you've done all that, you may not yet be aware of the potential earnings from freelancing. Why? 

Because neither your income history nor an employer's evaluation of your talents is a factor in determining your rate.

The market will bear the basis for it. Depending on what you do, that may be a significant increase over what you previously earned.

Find networking groups that are relevant to your field and area of interest. Most will provide straightforward rate talks, and some offer a rate sheet with ranges.

Final Thoughts

Like learning to play chess or paint, freelancing is a skill. The freelancing definition involves all about you getting better at it as you refine your techniques and practice more.

If you're thinking about becoming a freelancer but are a little nervous about it, realize that this is common.

Focus on conducting your research and organizing the steps to a solid start instead of waiting for the ideal time to take the plunge.

Build your customer list early, get insurance, register a business account, and enter the world of freelancing.

You must put in a lot of effort to become excellent at it, but if you do, the reward will be perfect.

Let me know in the comments section if you have any questions left that aren't covered in this post.

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