A freelancer is self-employed. They offer their skills or services to other businesses for a set period of time. Freelancing is common in some IT, marketing, and creative sectors.
Freelancers can be independent. They can market themselves and manage their own work. Or they can be represented by a third party that sells their skills. These companies can offer a full range of financial and other support services.
As a freelancer, you can decide what is an acceptable financial payback for your time and effort. It's advisable to be clear in your own mind what this is.
Useful links:
- a-n network - a-n is a member organisation for artists providing support and advocacy. Their network pages include advice (updated regularly) on what to charge
- Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-employed (IPSE) - includes a guide to freelancing which is available to download
- Guardian article on how to become a successful freelance. Although this article is now a few years old, it contains some advice that is still relevant
- Guardian small business network
- American Blog article - how to become a freelancer from home
- Setting up as a freelance translator - course from the Institute of Translation and Interpreting
- A day in the life of a freelance translator - blog post from Exeter University
Specialist advice and job sites:
- Contractor UK - including first-timer guides
- Fiverr - US-based site but with offices in London and Berlin
- Freelance UK - includes a freelance directory
- Freelancer.com - Bidding site where you can advertise your services and bid for projects
- People per hour
- TaskRabbit - mainly DIY, delivery, home repairs, and cleaning tasks advertised
- UK Language Project - a guide to starting your career as a freelance language teacher
- Upwork - American site but also lists freelance jobs in the UK