The reasons to embrace a freelance career are compelling. From supplementing your income to setting your own hours, freelance work is increasingly moving from the fringes of the job marketplace and into the mainstream. If you’ve considered freelancing, you’re not alone. A recent study found that over one-third of workers (36%) are currently freelancing, an increase of 22% since 2019. If you’re looking to become a freelancer, we’ve put together this detailed guide to help you get started! A freelancer is not an employee. The IRS defines an employee as someone who: Is not in charge of deciding when, where and how they work. Does not choose how much they are paid or what their raises or bonuses are. Is reimbursed for job-related expenses and receives benefits (like health insurance). A freelancer, on the other hand, is almost the exact opposite of an employee. Freelancers: Can choose who they want to work for, when they work and where they work with few exceptions. Set their payment rates. Do not receive any benefits from whomever they work for. To learn more about what freelancing is all about, read: Although the idea of being your own boss may sound exciting to you, freelancing is not for everyone. It takes more than an entrepreneurial spirit to become a freelancer. Before learning how to start a freelance business, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of freelancing . The pros include: Choosing who you do and don’t work for (along with when and for how long) Working on only the projects you really want to do Flexibility Exposure — you learn a lot about different industries The cons are: You’re responsible for paying all of your taxes No benefits The work isn’t always steady, which can lead to cash-flow issues Isolation — you’re almost always working alone This is why it might be best to begin freelancing when you’re still employed at a full-time job. This will allow you to test the waters and get a better understanding of how being a freelancer works. Prospective freelancers spend much of their time (at least at first) looking for work. For instance, writers may query various publications with ideas for articles they’d like to write. A freelance web designer might contact area businesses to see if any need help with their sites. Building relationships and providing quality work makes securing future “gigs” easier through repeat business, word-of-mouth and stellar recommendations. There are also job websites that fully vet and verify all of their freelance opportunities (like FlexJobs ) so that you can have a safe and productive job search. For more ideas on finding freelance work, read “ How to Find Freelance Work: Tips, Red Flags, and More ” Following are some tips for becoming a freelancer. Do your homework Before you set up your website, order business cards, and hang out your shingle, start with some market research to make sure there’s a demand for whatever field you’re in and to understand the […]
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