What Does Freelance Mean?

Freelance is a term used to describe a working situation in which a person is hired as an independent contractor, usually for more than one employer at the same time. Freelance workers, or freelancers, usually choose this style of working for its benefits, such as variety and a flexible working schedule. Freelance opportunities have grown exponentially with the rise of the Internet.

Characteristics

Freelancers work for more than one employer, schedule their own working time, work from home or their own office all or most of the time, are paid fees rather than salary and usually work alone.

History

The original freelancers were knights for hire, medieval mercenary soldiers who would join a noble's army temporarily without making a long-term commitment. Sir Walter Scott first used the term "free-lance" in his classic tale "Ivanhoe."

Benefits

Freelancers enjoy controlling their own schedules and being able to choose a variety of projects. Many contemporary freelancers work via the Internet, which allows them to live where they like and work for employers in other cities or even other countries.

Drawbacks

Lack of company benefits such as health insurance, paid vacations and sick leave is a definite drawback to freelancing. Uncertainty about the flow of income is also a concern. Successful freelancers try to arrange a wide variety of income sources to counteract this problem. They must also handle all their own contracts and tax issues.

Popular Freelance Professions

Modern-day freelancers include writers, graphic artists, management consultants, photographers, IT specialists, software developers, and tradesmen such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters and mechanics.