{"id":1413,"date":"2020-05-22T15:19:43","date_gmt":"2020-05-22T20:19:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.northone.com\/blog\/?p=1413"},"modified":"2023-02-16T08:11:00","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T13:11:00","slug":"what-is-freelancing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.northone.com\/blog\/small-business\/what-is-freelancing","title":{"rendered":"What is Freelancing and How to Become a Freelancer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A freelancing career is one of the many exciting options for professionals looking to offer specialized services to clients. It\u2019s essentially a way to run a small business<\/a> in a full-time or part-time role, working for many individual clients. There are a lot of advantages to becoming a freelancer, but getting started can feel like a major hurdle. How do I become a freelancer? What services would I offer as an independent contractor? What responsibilities does this career demand? These are all important questions to ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some freelancer basics, the pros and cons of freelancing, and how to start. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>What is Freelancing?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Simply put, a freelancer is a self-employed individual who offers services for a fee to clients. One of the quickest and most affordable ways to start in the gig economy is to sell a service you\u2019re already comfortable offering to potential clients. Some freelancers only have one or two clients and run a side hustle<\/a> on top of other jobs. Successful freelancers often launch full-fledged small businesses and enjoy all the perks and profits that come with working for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Types of Freelancing Careers<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Freelance work is incredibly varied and depends greatly on your skillset. Maybe you\u2019re a social media expert, a writer, a coder, or a marketer \u2014 the good news is the freelance space is often viable across all kinds of industries. Let\u2019s talk careers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Independent Contractor for Companies<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As more companies discover the value of hiring remotely, freelancing for established companies has become more popular than ever. Some companies hire independent contractors for job roles that can be full-time or part-time, such as accounting, legal, and other service-oriented positions. This type of arrangement is often remote, and you can expect to support the business in whatever capacity you are hired to supplement staffing needs.  Freelancing for an established company is often a more stable option than striking it out completely on your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Writer or Copywriter<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common freelance gigs is writing across a variety of industries. Common examples of freelance writers include blogging, writing for search engine optimization (SEO), technical writing, grant writing, copywriting, and even journalism. If you can write, you have a great leg up on the competition. Adept writers can generally tailor their skill set to any written task, producing unique content for just about any purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Social Media Manager or Marketer<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For those with a knack for social media and growing audiences on social platforms, you may find freelance work in this field. Social media freelancers typically spread their services over several clients, as many social media marketing gigs tend to be part-time. Many companies use independent contractors for this kind of work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Web Designer or Coder<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you can code or are experienced with web design, these skills are highly applicable to freelancing and it\u2019s possible to build lucrative careers in the field without becoming a full-time employee. If you work in web design as a day job, you can easily find smaller projects through clients, co-workers, and networking. Ask around! If you are an aspiring web designer don’t worry if you don’t have any experience yet as this is a type of career you can acquire without a college degree.<\/a>
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<\/span>Freelance Accountant, Legal Services, and More<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Outside the more web and tech-related fields, there are also freelancing opportunities in specialized traditional industries like accounting and law. Bookkeeping, tax filing<\/a>, legal advice, and consulting are often used by small businesses where accounting and legal departments would be cost-prohibitive. The solution? Find a freelancer! If you\u2019re coming from a more credentialed background, this is an option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We could go on about all the various industries, but just know that if you possess almost any professional skill, there is probably a great opportunity for you to become a freelancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/span>Freelancing Pros and Cons<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Freelancing is an excellent choice if you\u2019re disciplined, motivated, and not afraid of a little (okay, sometimes a lot of) risk. If you\u2019re more comfortable with a larger organization having your back, it might not be the best option. Here are the pros and cons to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Advantages of Freelancing<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n