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According to Wikipedia, the term freelance was created by Sir Walter Scott in "Ivanhoe" to describe the vocation of a medieval fighter for hire or a "free-lance." Popular in the early 1900's, freelancing was the preferred hiring method as artisans and day-laborers provided work for employers and were paid each day for their services.
With the advent of large factories hiring workers in greater numbers to perform various tasks via assembly lines, the use of an independent day-laborer was no longer valued in the marketplace or needed. - Freelancing is any task classified as work for hire. A freelancer sells her work to a client as an independent expert, by rendering her services temporarily either via hourly or on a project basis. A freelancer usually begins her career developing her skills and securing valuable industry contacts as a full-time employee. A more modern twist on the phrase freelance is to refer to an independent contractor as a freelancer, or consider work performed by consultants as freelancing.
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Freelancing is more than contract work in the creative disciplines alone. In fact, tasks such as administrative work, including data entry, billing and general office tasks, constitute freelance professional labor as well.
Freelance work is also seasonal. Tax preparers, merger and acquisition consultants are examples of freelance professionals hired during transition periods and to comply with legislative requirements. -
With the increased flexibility and freedom that freelancing provides, there are considerably drawbacks to consider. Freelancing rates vary considerably. Without the expected paycheck dispensed every two weeks in a full-time position, an independent contractor's pay will fluctuate.
Freelance work is deadline-driven. A freelance consultant must juggle multiple tasks and clients without compromising the quality of their work. Independent contractors have to possess impeccable skills in marketing, contract management, business development and billing. Health care, sick leave and retirement benefits are now the responsibility of the freelancer. -
The most popular reasons to begin a freelancing career include: the desire to work for home, more flexibility in child rearing among stay at home moms, or increased opportunities to earn more money independently. As a freelancer, your income may also be considerably greater than it would be if you were working for an employer.
The opportunities to choose your own work schedule and provide a valuable service on a project basis make freelancing a viable and lucrative career choice for both new entrepreneurs and seasoned employees looking for a job change or great work flexibility.
