What is a Freelancer?
Author: Michael Bowler, Creativity Unlimited
Have you ever wondered what a freelancer is and how to become one? It seems like all the movies and books you fill your head with involve self-employed people, many of which are freelancers. That is because it is the dream for many people. The life of a freelance writer seems so prestigious and relaxed that everyone wants it. To find out if freelancing is for you is to find out what a freelance writer is.
Freelancing is simply the business that freelancers are in. So, I guess what the real question is, “What is a freelancer?” A freelancer is someone who makes a career out of performing a service or variety of services under a contractual, or “project-to-project” basis, rather than under a long-term commitment to a set employer. The word “freelance” comes from the middle age times, when a knight or mercenary would sell his services to any lord willing to pay for them, hence becoming a “free lance”.
There is no limit as to how many services a freelancers can offer. Do not be afraid to take advantage of all opportunities and talents you have. There are different types of freelancers that do many things. There are freelancers that do creative work, financial work, high-tech work, personal assistant services, and business assistance. Creative freelancers include: writers and bloggers, authors, artists and graphic designers, fine artists, video producers, and photographers. Financial freelancers are usually certified public accountants, tax practitioners, and bookkeepers that have gone into business for themselves. High-tech freelancers include computer technicians, computer programmers, web designers and developers, and computer trainers. Freelance personal assistants include personal shoppers, garden and yard designers and caretakers, interior designers, babysitters, tutors, personal chefs, wedding and events planners, and housecleaners. Freelance business assistants include public speakers and trainers, mystery shoppers (also called “quality auditors”), transcribers (especially medical), management consultants, events planners, market researchers, and career counselors.
Most fulltime freelance writers get started by writing for a magazine, newspaper, online publication, non-profit organization, or private buyers. Most freelance website or graphic designers work for private buyers, websites, or companies. As a freelance writer, you have the option to go as broad as you like, or to focus on publication writing, business writing, web content and blogging, or any other writing you can sell to a willing buyer’s market. You also have the option to provide any services or variety of services you want. Keep in mind that most freelancers in this day and age market themselves online, while many still market in person to local buyers. Focusing on both markets is best to receive the most amount of work.
Newspapers, local and national, rely on freelance writers as quick contacts for a suddenly breaking stories their staff writers just do not have the time for. Many freelance writers dream of writing for a national magazine. The way to do so would be to start out with smaller, even regional, publications, and work your way “up the ladder,” so to speak. Taking this route will add to the natural risk that comes with self-employment but it also tends to provide the most benefit when successful. Versatile freelancers not only have the potential to make more money, but they save money for each publication for which they write. Knowing that both the freelancer and the publication benefit from their business relationship makes their writing easy to market.
A freelancer, the rate of pay can be very different from buyer to buyer. For instance, as a writer, some buyers are willing to pay upwards of $1 per word, while some pay as little as a cent a word. Other “buyers”, however, thinking that freelancers are their personal servants, are looking for free work, so freelancers need to be upfront about what they are willing to accept. Inexperienced freelancers will want to accept lower pay rates, but may ask for more money when their experience makes them more valuable. To figure out what you should charge, research average rates and the rates of your competitors and try to keep your prices lower than your research.
In spite of the fact that movies, television, and books incorrectly portray the life of a freelancer as one of prestige, most freelancers will tell you they would not trade their job for any corporate office job in the world. What other job lets you work in your pajamas? These people love to write (or whatever services they provide), they love to sell their services, and they get their biggest thrills in life from seeing their published work. It certainly is not just a job or a business- it’s a way of life.
Note: Also published on Hubpages: http://hubpages.com/hub/What-is-a-Freelancer.
