What is Freelancing and How Does it Work?

So, you’re ready to take the plunge into the world of freelancing. Congrats!

Freelancing can be an amazing way to make a living—you get to be your own boss, set your own hours, and work from anywhere in the world. 

But if you’re a complete beginner at this, you’re probably wondering, what is freelancing and how does it work? Well, you’re in the right place, I’ll start at the beginning.

When people hear the word “freelance,” they often think of someone who is self-employed. And while that is one type of freelancer, there are actually many different types of freelancers out there.

Whether you’re thinking of starting as a freelance writer, graphic designer, or consultant, there are lots of ways you can make money from your skills. And with online platforms becoming more popular with freelancers, getting started is pretty easy and simple. 

So, before you get too ahead of yourself, let’s take a step back and focus on some basics. 

Firstly, where will you get your first freelancing jobs, and which are the best websites for freelancers when you’re a beginner? 

And in the meantime, let’s talk about what the frack freelancing even is.

What is Freelancing and How Does it all Work?

So, what is freelancing and how does it work? Freelancing is all about selling your skills from home or using them to work from a remote location. 

This type of work will mostly be desk jobs such as:

• Writing
• Editing
• Programming
• Graphic design
• Website building
• Project management
• Virtual assistant work

And a lot of service-based jobs such as coaching, counselling and consulting can be done on a freelance basis too. 

Simply put, freelancing is any type of work that you do on a per-project basis, rather than as an employee of a company. This can include everything from writing and editing to design and programming. 

Freelancers can also be independent contractors, which means they are usually hired to do specific tasks or projects for a client. In some cases, freelancers may even be employees of a company, but they are working on a project-by-project basis.

One of the benefits of freelancing is that you get to focus on being productive and doing the things you’re passionate about, without the distractions of meetings, office politics and office background noise.

No boss, no office, no rules!
(Just kidding, to be a successful, productive freelancer you have to set your own rules and be disciplined).

Plus you get to design your own workspace and your own environment. Work from home in your loungewear or work from your favourite cafe, set up your desk wherever you want and take breaks whenever you want.

YES to coffee breaks your way and no more enforced morning teas or goodbye drinks for people you don’t even like! YEAAA.

Why Become a Freelancer?

So why become a freelancer? Good question. Let’s break it down. 

When you think of the traditional workforce, you probably envision going into an office, clocking in at 9 AM, and sitting at a desk for the next 8 hours. But what if you could ditch the commute, wear whatever you want to work, and make your own hours? 

That’s what freelancing is all about! 

As a freelancer, you are your own boss. You get to decide when and where you work, which means you can finally make time for that yoga class you’ve been wanting to try or squeeze in a quick trip to the grocery store between projects. 

Plus, studies show that employees who work from home are actually more productive than their office-bound colleagues. So if you’re looking for a way to boost your career and your quality of life, freelancing is the way to go.

The Benefits of Freelancing

There are lots of benefits to freelancing, lets go over a few:

• Flexible work hours: One of the great things about freelancing is that it can give you the flexibility to live the life you want. So if you need or want to take a few months off, you can do that without having to ask permission from anyone. And if you want to work around your kids’ schedules, or take a couple of days off during the week, you can usually make that happen too.
  I sometimes take a few months off to travel, as I can take my freelance writing gigs with me and my other income streams work in the background providing passive income.
• Multiple clients: Freelancing is a way of working where you are not tied to one employer. Instead, you work for a variety of different clients on a project-by-project basis. This can be a great way to get started in your career as it gives you the opportunity to build up a portfolio of work and to try out different roles. It can also be a great way to top up your income if you already have a full-time job.
• Choose your projects: With the freedom freelancing allows, you’ll have a lot more control over your time and energy. You’ll be able to choose which projects you work on and when you work on them. This can be a great way to improve work-life balance.
• Financial freedom: Freelancing can offer greater financial flexibility and freedom. You’ll be able to set your own rates and choose how much work you take on. And, if you’re good at what you do, you could end up earning more than you would as an employee. 

Of course, freelancing also has its drawbacks 

For one thing, there’s no guarantee of steady work or income, so you may find yourself without work at times. This is why it is important to build up a network of contacts and to always be on the lookout for new opportunities.

In most situations, you have to manage your own tax and finances and you’re responsible for buying your own supplies. Although, you can usually claim these back on tax returns as employment expenses.

And you also have to be pretty self-motivated and disciplined to make it work. But if you’re up for the challenge, freelancing can be a great way to earn a living and live a more free lifestyle.

What is a Freelancing Website and How Does it Work?

The great thing about freelancing is that it gives you the freedom to work on your own terms—but the downside is that it can be tough to find steady work. And that’s where freelancing websites come in.

There are all sorts of freelancing websites out there, but not all of them are created equal—especially if you’re a beginner. 

However, the basic premise is always the same:

1. Businesses or individuals post projects or tasks that they need help with
2. Freelancers can browse the jobs and apply for the ones that interest them 
3. Once a freelancer is hired, they then complete the task and submit it to the client for approval. 

The best freelancing websites are always changing, but some of the current top contenders include Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com 

Each of these platforms has its own unique features and benefits, so it’s worth taking some time to explore them all before deciding which one is right for you. 

To explore further, you can also check out my ultimate guide to the best freelance websites for beginners to learn more about how they work and how to use them effectively.

Why Should Beginners use Freelancing Websites? 

There are plenty of freelancing websites out there, and it can be tough to know where to start as a beginner. 

However, freelancing websites can be a great way to get your footing in the freelancing world. Not only do they provide a platform for you to showcase your skills, but they also allow you to connect with clients from all over the world. 

You can still build your own blog or portfolio website and build up your LinkedIn profile, but using freelancing websites to look for work alleviates the need to do these things straight away.

Plus, most freelancing websites have built-in tools that make it easy to track your progress and manage your workflow. All you need to do is create a profile, start bidding on projects, and land some clients. 

In other words, freelancing websites are the perfect place for beginners to get started in the freelancing world. So take some time to check out some freelancing websites and see which ones might work for you.

Final Thoughts: What is Freelancing and How Does it Work?

Now that you know what freelancing is and how it works, you can take the first steps in exploring what you’d like to do.

Whether you’re a freelance writer, web developer, graphic designer, or consultant, there are plenty of opportunities to create an income from your expertise. No matter what type of freelancer you are, one thing is for sure—freelancing is a great way to get paid for doing what you love!

And with the rise of online platforms and the gig economy, it’s easier than ever to get started. 

So what are you waiting for? 

Until next time.

Your Friendly, Neighbourhood WorkOnlineSlayer