Who is a freelancer and what does he actually do? Freelancer - who is it and what does it do? (Overview) How does freelancing translate?

Who is a freelancer and what does he do? Which freelance exchanges should a freelancer look for to earn money? Where can I find vacancies for working from home?

Do you enjoy getting up early in the morning? Do you like crowded morning buses? Are you delighted by tyrant bosses? Then you don't need to read this article! You are lucky and it looks like everything is going well for you.

But if you don’t mind working at home and only on those projects that you like, you want to plan your income yourself, and you dream of managing your time, then freelancing is a direct path for you.

1. Who is a freelancer and what does he do?

Freelance spearman, “freelance artist”, remote worker - the name of the same way of earning money - freelancing.

A specialist who works for himself, outside the staff of any company.

According to various statistical sources, at the beginning of 2014 there were more than 2 million such workers in Russia. This figure is not exact, since it is difficult to count freelancers!

There are much more such specialists abroad (50 million people). This allows you to assess the immediate prospects for Russian freelancing.

This type of income has positive and negative sides.

The main pros and cons of freelancing:

№	pros	Minuses
1	There are no more morning traffic jams, weather disasters, no need to rush to work in the morning	You need to organize your own workplace
2	Set prices for services at your own discretion	Lack of corporate events, preferential loans from the employer, and other social benefits
3	You can choose a job that gives you pleasure and is truly interesting.	Forced to independently search for orders, promote their services and products
4	From now on, not only your own apartment, but also a cozy coffee shop or your favorite public garden becomes an “office” - the choice of workplace depends on personal preferences	Income inequality
5	You independently regulate your workload, deciding when and how much to work	Difficulties with motivation
6	You will no longer have to follow anyone’s instructions or endure a tyrant boss	Relatives and friends do not always objectively assess your status (for some, being a freelancer is almost the same as being unemployed)

Freelancing is widespread in copywriting, website creation, translation activities, design, and accounting services. The scope of his “interests” is constantly expanding with new types of activities.

I am sure that now you can easily answer the question “Who is a freelancer” and will be able to determine whether this type of income is suitable for you.

2. Where to look for work as a freelancer - 4 main options

The decision has been made, you go freelance. Now we need to find customers. To do this, you need to know where they are found.

I will tell you about four of their most popular habitats.

Option 1. Freelance exchanges

Online exchanges are the main meeting place for performers and customers. Freelancers register on the chosen platform, post a portfolio, then look for suitable orders and respond to them. Customers also register on the site and post their projects there.

The exchange acts as an intermediary and regulator of these relationships. As a rule, its users pay a commission for each completed project. The size of the intermediary percentage is determined by the exchanges themselves.

Option 2. Forums

Forums are a place for freelancers to communicate. Customers also come here. Often this is where they find performers for their projects.

Option 3. Web studios

Web studios are the next way to find work for a “freelance artist.” There is almost always a need for specialists here. Such companies willingly transfer some of the functionality to remote workers.

Feel free to offer your services to web studios and send links to your portfolio.

Option 4. Internet resources

I recommend that some categories of freelancers look for orders through online resources. Select specialized sites, analyze them, find problems that you can help solve. Then feel free to contact the administrators of these resources with your suggestions.

3. How to work as a freelancer online - 7 easy steps

You are no longer tormented by the question: “Who is this freelancer?” Have you decided to try yourself in this role?

Great! Then my step-by-step instructions could not come in handy.

Step 1. Create an electronic wallet

Most monetary transactions between parties are carried out using electronic wallets.

Most Popular:

Yandex money;
Webmoney.

To create them, you need to visit the website of the selected system. In the “Registration” section, perform all the necessary steps step by step.

The algorithm for opening a wallet consists of the following steps:

login to the registration section;
entering your phone number;
entering personal data;
phone check;
setting a password.

Step 2. Determine the type of activity

Perhaps the most important thing is to choose the area of activity in which you want to work as a freelancer.

My advice: don’t scatter yourself, focus first on what you know and can do best.

Otherwise, it may turn out as in the famous poem by Agnia Barto: “Drama club, photo club... But I also want to sing!”. Remember, the key to success for a beginner is gradualism.

Let's say you are fluent in Photoshop. Start freelancing in this area. This will allow you to confidently take orders, complete them efficiently, on time, receive positive feedback, and increase your rating.

With this approach, you will quickly get used to the new way of earning money, and you will gradually be able to expand the scope of your activities.

Step 3. Choose a freelance exchange

As I already wrote, there are plenty of freelance exchanges. Before choosing, read reviews about them. This will allow you to learn some of the operating features of a particular site, which only those who already work on it can tell you about. In addition, it is better to choose an exchange that suits your specialization.

There are universal exchanges (for example, Fl.ru). Freelancers working in a variety of fields can register on them.

There are specialized exchanges. For example, for copywriters (Textsale.ru), for photographers (Fotogazon.ru), for lawyers (pravoved.ru), designers (Russiancreators.ru), programmers (Freelansim.ru).

Great choice! Read carefully the terms and conditions of work on the exchange you like and register!

Step 4. Register and fill out the form

The work site has been determined. Now you need to register your profile there. It's very easy to do.

Example:
Let's look at the registration process using the example of the very popular Fl.ru exchange.
Registration steps:
1. Go to the Fl.ru website, find the registration button, click on it.
3. Then put your email address in the sign below and come up with a password. By the way, don't forget to keep it in a safe place. It is through this that you will then log into your personal account.
Most exchanges, along with the standard method, provide for quick registration through social networks. This method is suitable for those who have their own pages on Facebook, VKontakte or Odnoklassniki.
Step 5. Compiling a portfolio
Dear gentlemen, beginning freelancers, know that a good portfolio is half the success!
After all, this is what potential customers pay attention to first. You can write anything about yourself. But only samples of finished work in the stated field, preferably already published somewhere, will convince a potential customer of your competence.
P orthofolio- a selection of freelancer’s work in the chosen specialization, prepared for review by customers, formatted accordingly. The purpose of the portfolio is to attract the attention of a potential customer and convince him of the professionalism of the performer.

For copywriters - these are samples of texts, for designers - design projects, for those who create websites - examples of ready-made sites.
Basic portfolio requirements:
it must be neat and aesthetically designed;
well structured by areas;
works must be original and completely finished;
the portfolio must be constantly updated.

Step 6. We look for orders and fulfill them
Now we have come to the most enjoyable stage - searching and fulfilling orders.
Each freelance platform has a section: “order feed”, “work” or something similar. This is where you will look for the order, send a response to it, and wait for the employer’s decision.
Having received an order for work, read the conditions again, pay attention to the customer’s special requirements (if any), and the deadlines for delivery of the finished work.
To ensure long and productive cooperation, doing the work:
strictly adhere to the terms of reference (TOR);
never violate the deadlines set by the customer;
If problems arise with the order, immediately discuss them with the employer, do not remain silent.

And, in my opinion, the most important rule for beginners: do not take many orders at once! Due to inexperience, it is easy to overestimate your capabilities. As a result, you will not cope with the volumes on time, you will receive negative feedback, thereby reducing the already low rating of the contractor.
Step 7. Register an individual entrepreneur
You can often hear among freelancers that if orders are carried out occasionally (for example, once every six months), then there is no particular need to register an individual entrepreneur. In this case, income should be declared as an individual.
In addition, many believe that it is impossible to track the activities of “free spearmen”, which means that it is not necessary to legalize their work. They are used to relying on the Russian avos and proverb "Not caught, not a thief".
In practice this is not entirely true! If you wish, you can track your income and prove the presence of illegal business activities. In this case, problems (fines) cannot be avoided.
Considering that an individual pays 13% on his income, and an individual entrepreneur pays 6% on his income (this is the most common form), it is easier and more correct to register his activities, rather than playing a deliberately losing game with the tax authorities “if he gets caught or if he doesn’t get caught.”
Registering an individual entrepreneur is easy.
To do this, you should perform a number of actions:
choose a tax system;
prepare a package of necessary documents (application, passport, paid receipt for state duty);
submit the entire package of documents to the tax office or multifunctional center.

If the documentation is in order, then in 3 days the USRIP entry sheet will be ready, and you will turn from a simple person into an entrepreneur.
4. Where to work as a freelancer - review of the TOP 3 freelance exchanges
There are many different exchanges for freelancers, both foreign and Russian.
I propose to get acquainted with the three most popular sites on the Russian Internet.
1) FL.ru
This freelance exchange is an old-timer among Russian platforms of this kind. It began its activities on May 14, 2005. At the end of 2016, more than 2 million users were registered on Fl.ru.
The exchange provides its clients with a number of paid services:
PRO account;
transaction without risk.

To work effectively, you need a PRO account, because it gives you access to most orders, of which there are plenty here for a variety of specialties. There are about 50 specializations in total.
Unlike other exchanges, Fl.ru allows its clients (customer, contractor) to communicate outside the service, to enter into transactions directly, taking on possible risks.
For those who want to feel calm, the resource offers the possibility of a secure transaction. The exchange commission for such a service is about 12-14%. The customer pays for it.
On this site, perhaps, there is the highest competition among order fulfillers, so it is quite difficult for beginners to win their “place in the sun,” but for professional and responsible people nothing is impossible.
2) Kwork
Kwork.ru operates in the format of an online store, where freelance services are presented in 9 large categories. A special feature of the service is the fixed cost of services - 500 rubles. It doesn’t matter what kind of service it is: voice acting for a video, selling text, filling an online store with goods, or anything else.
To become a full-fledged user (customer, contractor), you need to go through a simple registration.
Services (products) are called quacks and are placed in the storefront completely free of charge, after passing moderation. The service takes a 20% commission from the seller only after the transaction is completed.
The customer pays for the selected work on a 100% prepayment basis. In this case, the money is “frozen” by the service and paid to the contractor only after the order is completed.
Weblancer.ru is an exchange for remote workers, operating in 13 specializations. The Internet project has been operating since 2003.
Advantages of the service:
ease of access to services;
account security by binding to the user’s IP address;
Freelancers have the opportunity to post customer reviews;
controversial issues are resolved by resource arbitration;
presence of an active forum.

5. How to succeed in freelancing - 4 useful tips for beginners
Setting out on a free voyage, every newly minted freelancer hopes for success.
To make your hopes come true, listen to the advice of experienced people.
"Study, study and study"- this is important for any profession, regardless of where you work - offline or online. If possible, take part in special training programs. This is the only way to maintain your professionalism at the proper level.
Nowadays it’s easy to find both paid and free courses on the Internet in any specialization. Choose those that will bring you maximum practical benefit. Don't study just to get another certificate. Customers value your practical skills!
Tip 2. Create a quality portfolio
If you are a beginner and don’t yet have work that can be included in your portfolio, I recommend starting to work on it immediately.
Offer your services for free or for a minimal fee. You can post such an ad on social networks and tell your friends and acquaintances about your services. There will definitely be a customer, which means that after completion you will have your first work in your portfolio.

Good afternoon. Today we are opening another sub-section in the “” section called “ Freelancing" Specifically in this article you will learn what is freelancing And who is a freelancer.

Freelancer? Who is this anyway?

Everyone has heard the word freelancing. But not everyone can say exactly what it is. No, many of course have a modest idea of what it is, but I’m sure you would like to know more. If you think that freelancing is some kind of profession or some kind of website, then you are mistaken, although, of course, you are thinking in the right direction.

Who is a freelancer and how to become one?
What do freelancers do?
Benefits of freelancing
Cons of freelancing
Freelancer earnings

So, what is freelancing? Or freelance, if you want to. Essentially, this is a way to earn money for a living by doing what you know and can do well. The difference from an ordinary job, which men and women go to all their lives, is that you don’t get a job anywhere and don’t owe anything to anyone. Of course, there are obligations in freelancing, but you are free to control them yourself.

If freelance translated into Russian, you get something like “free warrior” or “free worker”. If literally, then free– freedom/will, lance– spear/pike. Since ancient times, freelancers were called warriors who fought for the army that was willing to pay the most. So you get the point, right?

Who is a freelancer and how to become one?

From what is written above it becomes clear who is a freelancer. In simple words, a freelancer is a free worker who chooses who to work for, sets the price of his work and the conditions.

Let’s say you are an excellent specialist in your field, but your bosses don’t notice this and don’t increase your salary. Or you simply don't like to comply with all the whims and wishes of your management. Or you feel that the circumstances at your job are against your career advancement. It's time to become a freelancer!

By becoming a freelancer, your income will directly depend only on you. There is no boss, there is only you and the customer, and the customer often treats you with more respect than you were treated before in a permanent job. Professional growth is unlimited. You are free to prove to yourself what you are capable of.

You will only have to look for work for the first time, until you acquire regular clients and fame. This is exactly what usually happens. First you look for a job, and then the job finds you.

To find a job, you can use both the Internet and real acquaintances and connections. You can at least post notices on the fence offering your services. But I am sure that using the Internet for these purposes is much more convenient and comfortable.

On the Internet you also have a large variety of tools for finding customers.

Regular job search sites. For example hh.ru or worka.ru. Yes, you can find one-time projects for yourself on them.
Social media. VKontakte, Facebook, Twitter. Create public pages with your services. Subscribe to job search groups, as well as communities on topics close to your specialty. Leave an ad on your page after all.
Specialized forums.
Special exchanges for freelancing. Freelance exchanges can be both general-purpose (for example, to plant potatoes) and specialized (for example, for or for programmers).

As you can see, there are many more ways and opportunities to find a job on the Internet.

What do freelancers do?

Freelancers can do absolutely any kind of work, but most often freelancers are attracted to work on the Internet. Examples of freelance work: write an article, translate an article, draw a logo, create a website, draw a drawing, process an image in Photoshop, process a video, type text from an audio file, PR, promotion... The list goes on and on. When you start digging in this direction, everything will immediately become clear to you.

Benefits of freelancing

And, of course, there are many advantages. Almost any freelancer will tell you that being a freelancer is better than being an employee. So, advantages of freelancing:

The biggest plus is undoubtedly flexible work schedule. You can wake up at whatever time your heart desires. And you don’t need to go to bed early to get up early for work in the morning.
You you can save a lot of time, because you don't have to commute to and from work. Wait for public transport. You can also save some money by doing this.
Since you will likely have many customers, it won't hurt if you lose one or more. And in a permanent job, you may lose your job if your business suffers losses. Therefore, the 3rd point is relative stability.
You can live anywhere. You are not tied to work. You can live in a village and work for large customers from big cities. You can live in the mountains, by the sea. The main thing is the presence of the Internet.
You can work while traveling. Your family will no longer have to wait for your boss to deign to let you go on your next vacation.
Freelancer potentially you can earn more. Theoretically, when working for yourself, you can earn 1.5-2 times more than your office colleagues.
Yet again absolute freedom. After all, this is the only reason why many people become freelancers. Because they are uncomfortable working in the office.
It is likely that your Freelancing can grow into a big business. Everything here is according to your rules and everything depends on your ambitions.

Cons of freelancing

Let's add a fly in the ointment. You can't go anywhere without this. That's life, guys. So, cons of working as a freelancer:

Competition. You will have to read a single book about how to present yourself correctly to the customer so that he chooses you among the countless number of your competitors.
Sick leave and vacations Now you pay yourself. This is the price for freedom and mobility.
When you work from home, it's not always your family members understand that you are at work and not at home. They distract you and constantly tug at you.
Taxes. Yes, it's your job now to deal with taxes. Or hire a freelance accountant.

Freelancer earnings

Freelancer earnings or how much do freelancers earn. The question is inherently meaningless. Because freelancing, as we said above, is not a profession. This is the same as asking, how much do they earn at industrial enterprises? We need specifics.

A freelancer’s earnings directly depend on his specialization, his experience, his desire to work and develop, and so on and so forth. Keep in mind that, on average, freelancers earn more than employees. How much more depends on many factors. And sometimes even less =)).

Well, I'll give you some examples. An experienced copywriter can earn up to 60,000 rubles (and simply must master the touch typing method, or in short -). Programmers can earn up to 200,000 rubles and more. Website developers earn on average about 100,000 rubles, but they can earn more or less.

I think the approximate picture is clear.

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A freelancer is a freelancer, a self-employed person who offers his services to companies, several clients at the same time. In America, 35% of all working people are freelancers. Freelancing is also gaining popularity in the countries of the former CIS. The opportunity to work from anywhere in the world and even for a foreign company is attracting more and more Russians. But freelance work also has its downsides.

Freelancers - pros and cons

Before deciding whether to be a freelancer, you need to know not only the advantages of this mode of work, but also the pitfalls:

It will take time to develop a stable client base for decent income.
Work may be irregular. Many freelancers experience ebbs and flows in their work. You need clear budget planning and a willingness to work extra hours when there is a lot of work.
Working with numerous clients and projects is a bit of a challenge. Some people find it really difficult to meet all deadlines and complete the work efficiently. A freelancer is an excellent time manager.
Low earnings at first. In the modern era of the digital economy and high competition, few are willing to pay a new freelancer decently.

Benefits of freelancing:

Work whenever you want. If you want to sleep until noon, it’s easy; taking a day off in the middle of the week is no problem. In freelancing mode, you can devote to work those hours when your productivity is at its peak.
Work with whoever you want. Rude and inappropriate people may be excluded from work. If you feel that you don’t get along in character, or you’re not happy with the payment procedure, you can simply wish them all the best and not work on the project.
Work where it's convenient for you. One of the most compelling reasons that makes you choose freelancing. You can do your work while sitting at your local buffet, or driving around Europe, or swinging in a hammock under a palm tree. In the park, in the library, in bed in pajamas - anywhere!
Work for yourself. What is a freelancer? He is his own boss. No one looms over him and controls him. All important decisions are his.
All the money is yours. Freelancing allows you to receive all the profits from the project; there is no boss - no distribution of funds between the company and employees.

Types of freelancers

Freelancers' specialties are varied, from humanitarian to technical. Forbes has compiled the top 10 professional areas where you can make an excellent freelance career:

marketing;
business project management;
web development;
working with texts;
Accounting;
insurance;
teaching;
work in social networks;
graphic design;
administrative assistance.

What freelancers are in demand now?

To become a successful freelancer, you need to have experience in a field that pays well and is in demand:

Programming and software development. Specialties related to programming, especially the creation of mobile applications, are the highest paid.
Web design. With the rapid development of online business, the need for web designers is growing. The services of a freelance designer are well paid, but competition is high - it is important to be an experienced and creative specialist.
Content Marketing. Tasks for freelancers in the field of content marketing - writing unique articles that will increase traffic to the Internet resource. Being a successful content marketer means reading a lot, writing a lot, being curious and a creative strategist.
Graphic design. Infographics are in demand these days. Visualization is important in the Internet environment, which is why graphic designers are in the top 5 most paid fields for freelancers.
Copywriting. What is the job of a freelance copywriter? Creating content for websites, writing descriptions of products and services.
Video editing. The high demand for video editors in the freelance industry is due to the opportunities that platforms such as YouTube, etc. provide businesses with.
Social media management. Almost every business has a page on social media. network, uses it to attract customers and promote the brand. This is associated with a high need for specialists who would sensibly promote the account.

How to become a freelancer from scratch?

It's easy to start working for yourself. As easy as loading a page on the Internet. For example, a page on a freelance exchange website where you can find your first client. Simple steps that will tell you how to become a freelancer:

Decide on your area of activity.
Create an account on the exchange.
Set your prices.
Look for clients.

How to work as a freelancer?

Working as a freelancer on the Internet requires an integrated approach. To be a successful specialist, you need to try. Freelancing is work. Build a portfolio, accumulate recommendations, establish professional connections, look for clients, sell yourself. What is the work of a freelancer: activity, quality performance, meeting deadlines.

Freelancer exchanges for beginners

A freelancer exchange is a great way to find your first clients. There you can create your profile, develop a portfolio, and over time, clients will contact the artist themselves. There are general and specialized exchanges where specific specialists, web developers, designers and others “hang out”.

Well-known foreign freelance exchanges for those who want to work for a foreign company:

freelancer.com;
upwork.com;
guru.com.

The largest exchanges on the Russian Internet:

fl.ru;
weblancer.net;
freelance.ru.

Exchanges for copywriters:

etxt.ru;
text.ru;
textsale.ru;
advego.ru.

Exchanges for illustrators and graphic designers:

logopod.ru;
illustrators.ru;
russiancreators.ru.

Exchanges for programmers and 1C specialists:

1clancer.ru;
devhuman.com;
modber.ru.

How much do freelancers earn?

A freelancer is a person whose income depends only on himself. The more you work, the more experience you have, the more chances you have to work on bigger projects and earn more money. When thinking about leaving their office job, many are hampered by doubts about how to get a freelancer paid for their work. There is only one piece of advice - work on a contract basis, taking the customer’s word for it is a noble thing, but not always grateful.

Do freelancers pay taxes?

How to pay taxes to a freelancer is an exciting question. On the one hand, there are tempting prospects to hide from them, on the other hand, there is the risk of a fine. A freelancer earns the same income as a person working for a company. The same - in the sense that it is subject to taxation. Firstly, you should always work with the client on a contractual basis, where everything will be spelled out; secondly, for the convenience of tax reporting, you can open an individual entrepreneur, or file a declaration regularly and on time.

New freelancers are wondering how to become a successful freelancer, how to avoid getting into trouble, and how to have reliable financial support. These tips will help:

Get ready. Before you leave your office job and plunge into the world of freelancing, you need to gather all the tools for success. For most professions, such as copywriting or graphic design, you need to have an impressive portfolio to convince a client to hire you. It’s better to prepare in advance - analyze your experience, select those parts that can be reflected in your portfolio. Start with part-time work - take on work on individual projects in parallel with your current work in the office.
Market yourself wisely. We've been taught that bragging is bad, but if you don't talk about yourself and your accomplishments, you'll have a hard time convincing a client to hire you. The secret to success is to back it up with facts. For example, if you are trying to convince a potential client that you are excellent at creating content for business blogs, send them samples that you have previously developed.
Set goals and come up with a plan to achieve them. Before you start freelancing, you need to decide what you want to achieve. Calculate how much money you need to earn per month to support yourself. How many projects are you willing to take on and how much money will you receive?
Be active. Don't sit back and hope that clients will find you. Be active users on social media. networks, on exchanges, look for your target clients.
Be in the "party". Just because you work alone doesn't mean you have to isolate yourself from society. People trust recommendations from people. Attend events, online conferences, network, exchange experiences.
Collect feedback. Recommendations from a client are a great way to get new ones, they prove that you are not the only person who considers you a professional.
Develop your brand. There are thousands of other freelancers, what makes you different from them? Your brand is your personality. Develop your website, your social accounts. networks, replenish your portfolio. When sending an e-mail, be sure to include links.
Always have a contract. One of the biggest mistakes many freelancers make is not signing a contract with the client. Sometimes it ends sadly.

The richest freelancers

As practice shows, the old proverb does not lie. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Famous freelancers have proven this:

Hello friends! Today we’ll talk about my favorite topic in remote work: “who is a freelancer and what does he do?” Because since the summer of 2014, I myself have been sitting tightly at the computer in all parts of the world accessible to me and I can’t breathe at all, because the office is somewhere far behind, in the company of my bosses and traffic jams on the way to work.

I’m writing this, sitting among the forests and sand, and sometimes I myself don’t believe what happened (I just realized that it’s almost like being in the country). Even . Because there is nothing cooler than having fun wherever you want and whenever you want; do not ask anyone for time off and do not explain anything to anyone. Just a song. True, not without...

But, back to the topic:

Who first used this word? As the Internet tells us, this term was first noticed by Walter Scott in the novel “Ivanhoe,” where freelancers were called mercenary warriors (From the English freelance: “free” - free, and “lance” - spear). Later, this term began to denote prostitutes working without pimps (our brother was even awarded this comparison).

Today, a freelancer is a name given to a private specialist, a free artisan who works simultaneously for several employers. Most often, a freelancer offers his services himself, less often he works as a contractor for several companies.

I myself prefer long-term cooperation with a limited number of clients, because searching for work is always stressful for me. I already wrote about this in an article about.

In Goa at work

For those asking “what kind of profession is a freelancer?” I will say that this is not a profession at all, but a way to conduct the work process. And to be even more precise, it is a way of life! And over 2.5 years of free swimming, I have formed habits that I absolutely don’t want to get rid of. For example, the ability to go wherever you want at any time.

Or do something other than work. Or move your schedule the way you like, and not the way your boss demands.

What do freelancers do?

The most common question from a neophyte is who to be? For those who have doubts, I wrote which are the easiest to start with. However, the list is not exhausted by them.

St. Petersburg, creating a website for a funeral agency

So, professions:

Journalism and working with text. Probably the most common area of freelancing, which includes such concepts as.
Translators. Those who speak languages that are still exotic to us, such as Hindi, Urdu or Chinese, are especially valued.
Website creation and maintenance. My theme, which I refer to by the shorter term "web craft". I call myself simply “webmaster”
Design . , graphic, landscape, etc. Wide market for making money.
Programming in all possible languages and in all available environments.
Consulting. Areas: jurisprudence, psychology, personal mentoring, coaching, etc.
SEO specialists - website promotion in search engines
SMM specialists - promotion and administration of social networks.
Personal assistants— the right hands of always busy managers and entrepreneurs
Marketers, salespeople and advertisers— from setting up Yandex.Direct to direct sales by phone
Design engineers. Why do you need an office if you only need a laptop and the Internet to design stove heating?
Architects. The same
Photographers and videographers. They, of course, have more problems with mobility, but the essence remains the same: working on orders.
Video editing and photo processing. As an option for the previous point with a large number of degrees of freedom. But the requirements for Internet quality are the highest
Photo models. Yes, I’ve even met such people! They work for several modeling agencies.
Bomb drivers. Private transportation - why not freelance?
etc.

As you can see, the list is quite large, and even it does not exhaust the entire variety of freelance professions. In it, along with typical technical and analytical crafts, there are also humanitarian ones. Therefore, I consider the myth about the exclusivity of programmers and IT workers in making money online to be untenable.

By the way, write in the comments if you need to add anything else? Maybe you treat people remotely and know who else is doing this?

Why do people go free swimming?

There are a lot of reasons! Someone wants to try themselves in something fundamentally new. Some people are fed up with office samsara. Some people use freelancing to solve their financial problems. I was just looking for ways to wander around the world.

You sit in Vasishta, wait for tea and rejoice

Of course, there are other means for this: a rich inheritance, generous compassionate relatives, or renting out an apartment. But, unfortunately (or “fortunately?”), I am not burdened with any of the above. Therefore, I earn all my earnings actively and, unlike many of my office colleagues, I absolutely love it!

What is the workflow like?

So, you have found a customer and discussed all the conditions. What's next?

It's simple:

Agree on the form of payment (advance interest or something else)
Negotiate deadlines and provide results by these deadlines (working in the mode that is convenient for you)
Are you satisfied with the result? — receive payment and shake virtual hands.
Not satisfied? — make changes until the customer is completely satisfied.
You are happy with the work done and the happy client and move on to the next project.

Why will clients want to work with you?

As a rule, freelancers have more flexible conditions and lower prices. Agencies charge a huge amount of “bonuses” from above: their services, payment for electricity in the office, and everything else. Plus, the employer does not need to pay the costs of maintaining your workplace. You take on all depreciation yourself. Well, apparently, it’s much easier to butt heads with a small individual entrepreneur than with a less maneuverable colossus of a LLP or JSC.

Just don’t forget to add to your portfolio and collect reviews. This is the main asset of trust in you.

Benefits of Freelancing

Tons of articles have been written about them, but I, too, will add a spoonful of my vision to this great monotony.

Flexible schedule. You get up when you want, work at a time when it’s convenient for you and rest when you’re tired, and not from 20 to 22 pm 5 days a week + Saturday and Sunday
High wages. Compared to their office brothers, “free spearmen” can earn many times more
Stability! This is where I expect objections) However, looking at the situation in large corporations and the crushed ambitions of laid-off or reduced pay employees, I understand that I have nothing like that. If you work, you have money, if you don’t work, there is no money. It's simple.
Very wide market. Any limitation is your own. My geography today includes 6 countries and this is far from the limit (sorry, I don’t know Chinese)
Non-stop development. If you want to earn good money, study! Freelancing is for maniacs who love their job. There is nothing to do here without Love for him.
Supermobility. The only thing you need is a laptop and the Internet. For me, this is the most important plus, which outweighs any significant minus. Still, the third New Year and my birthday in a row traveling is a good bonus to the lifestyle, isn’t it?

I tried it - it's inconvenient

However, there is another side. I even wrote an article about her. I will briefly outline it below.

Flaws

I will make a disclaimer: it is always difficult for me to write in a negative light about what I sacredly love. But “the truth is more precious,” so I’ll try. If I'm missing anything, please let me know in the comments?

Unstable income. Byword! How much has been written and said about this. But I will argue that all this is extremely exaggerated, although not without a grain of truth. Yes, sometimes there are no orders and you have to go to school or just read good educational books with a gloomy, resting smile. I like the second one much more)
Irregular schedule. As the flip side of his “freedom”. I solve work issues on trains, airports, bus stations and even in public toilets. To some it seems like a nightmare, but to me it’s a nightmare. Every minute of life is lived for the benefit of all living beings.
Reclusion. Also a dubious minus, because I would prefer to communicate with a book than with an imposed and inevitable subject within the work space. True, in my office years I was somehow lucky with the team. But there were still some exceptions.
Full responsibility for the result. Did you mess up? - pay if you don’t make it on time - get bream in the form of angry tirades from customers. And no one will come to the rescue, no one, defenseless, will take you under their wing. There is a harsh world of expectations all around you, and you have to pay for your words and guarantees.
No social security. No free lunches, transportation, or corporate parties with public drinking for free. No social package or pension contributions. Row, darling, all by yourself. And organize drinking parties for yourself... You have to buy Chinese tea and drink it cheerfully and naturally in your own company. A terrible minus, as you can see.
Stress from having to learn something new. Good within office walls. Learned to press 2-3 buttons and wait for 5-10 years, accumulate fat. Freelancing does not forgive this. Read and learn constantly. Rub the calluses on the eyelids. And love, do you hear???? LOVE your business as you love yourself! Otherwise, you won't become a specialist.

Kathmandu, workplace

Where should a beginner start?

It's simple. First of all, answer yourself the main question: “Why the hell do you need this freelancing?” Do you love your freedom so much that you are willing to sacrifice a lot for it? (loss of stability, income and even loved ones?) Are you ready for difficulties and whole fields of rake that you will have to go through?

But there will be difficulties: interruptions in work, unscrupulous customers, loss of enthusiasm and 100,500 other reasons that will make you want to give up everything and never return to freelancing.

Scary? No? Then read the article “” and get ready for the main quantum leap of your life. It will be cooler to just leave your body and be reborn again in a family of hereditary freelancers!

And if you are overcome by doubts (which happens extremely often), read my flock about. I suffered from them too.

Look at the little book" 7 professions to start working remotely". I trained with these guys and I highly recommend taking it too. You can give a review of the training.
Don't forget to improve your professional level, both in your sales skills and in your craft. For example, if you want, you can read about the courses that inspire the most confidence in me.

In general, I am all in favor of people learning from professionals and not wasting a lot of their time on unnecessary searches for free things on the Internet. This dulls you and turns you into a banal freeloader. By the way, there are many of these in Goa. All their conversations are only about where and what is cheaper to get.

Nowadays, one never ceases to be amazed at the variety of new words that have entered our colloquial speech in a short time. Some words are easily perceived in meaning, the main thing is to know the translation. Much less common are words from professional jargon, which are not so easy to figure out. One of these a word that has become widespread in our open spaces has become “freelancing”. Let's figure out what it means.

The history of the word "freelance"

This word consists of two English words "free" in translation freedom and the word "lance", which means spear. In English, the word "lance" means an occupation, some kind of work.
This means that “freelancing” can be deciphered as doing free work. Such freedom means working for yourself without management.
This type of activity appeared recently, about ten years ago. The Internet played a huge role in this work, since a person can work without leaving home.
Because now you can communicate with your employer via video and email.
Today, a “freelancer” can calmly sit in his favorite old chair in family shorts, drinking alcohol and at the same time painstakingly work on the task. There is no need to sit in his pants for eight hours in the office under the watchful eye of his superiors.

Nowadays, when the Internet is available in any eatery, not to mention your own home. Working as a “freelancer” has become a pleasure. Providers are in a hurry to fulfill any desire of their clients, developing more and more convenient tariff plans for every taste and income.

This word “freelancer” was first coined by Walter Scott in his world-famous novel “Ivanhoe.”

Working as a “freelancer” only at first glance seems simple and pleasant, but it has its pitfalls. The fact is that the employer may want to contact you at any time to clarify the details, so you should always be near the computer.

What exactly do freelancers do?

The most primitive and widespread work that can be classified as “freelancing” is the sales field, in which so-called managers work. They wander around the city in search of clients, calling various organizations.
A much more responsible job is a photographer at weddings, celebrations and corporate events.
“Freelancers” also earn extra money as copywriters and rewriters, that is, they write articles for other people’s sites. The earnings are small, but they don’t require much effort.

The word "freelance" can be replaced with the old Soviet word "to play tricks"

Actually, finding such a job is quite easy in any field of activity. You can even earn extra money in your free time from your main job. As a rule, the company’s management turns a blind eye to such “freelancers”, the main thing is that this does not harm the main job.

There is no doubt that freelancing makes a person completely independent from the whims of his superiors and allows him to work only for himself. This is ideal, of course.

Read more.

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