Freelance (sometimes spelled free-lance or free lance), freelancer, and freelance worker, are terms usually used for a person who is self-employed and not necessarily committed to a particular employer long-term. Freelance workers are sometimes portrayed by a company or a temporary agency that resells freelance labor to clients; others work independently or use professional associations or websites to get work.
While the term independent contractor would be used in a separate register of English to designate the tax and employment classes of this type of worker, the term “freelancing” is most prevalent in culture and creative industries, and use of this term may indicate participation therein.
Fields, professions, and industries where freelancing is predominant include: music, writing, acting, computer programming, web design, graphic design, translating and illustrating, film and video production and other forms of piece work which some cultural theorists regard as central to the cognitive-cultural economy.
Working as a Freelancer
Working as a freelancer is more tricky than you think it is. When you are freelancing, it is a new engagement you are wielding. One of it is adjusting your time between family and your freelance commitments.
One of the most frequent problems that people face as freelancers is timing. They find it unlikely to set standard timings. People who freelance often fall into a trap designed by them and see that they are working most of the time. They end up feeling a professional job is much better. This is a typical situation because they are not isolating time for themselves while working. They tend to meet with familial responsibilities while working. People at home do not treat freelance as a professional work also.
To be successful with freelance, you need to create a professional work space and send out that message that you are working. Whether it is family or anyone else, they need to recognize that you are working and not free. Also, you need to stay focused on your outlines. Meet with deadlines as they are deemed to be and make sure you leave no room for complaints. The deliverables have to be met under any situations.
Another big hurdle with freelancing is timely payments. Several people promise payment on completion of work but they delay. So you need to make sure that payments come in regularly and your work is being paid for. Maintain an excel sheet containing information about different projects you are handling and the payment details.
