According to the Freelancers Union, one in three Americans will earn their living as a freelancer. That’s a powerful, and expanding, population currently cataloged at around 55 million U.S. residents.
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Freelancers are subcontractors – not full-time employees. In the creative disciplines, their jobs vary across all categories from copywriter or photographer to IT programmer or Web designer.
The benefits of freelancing are that you can use these roles to supplement your regular nine to five job, or, if you can find enough work, you can join one-third of the American workforce that are driving for Uber, consulting, or engaging in some other kind of flexible work arrangement.
The Pros and Cons of Freelancing
Individuals considering freelancing usually have two big questions:
- How do I get started as a freelancer?
- How do I make money as a freelancer?
There are thousands of freelance jobs in the market today. The first step toward engaging in freelance work starts with your personal decision to – just do it. But like all big career moves, there are plusses and minuses to consider.
One pro of freelancing is that many of the roles allow enormous flexibility:
- You have the option to pick the job you want – when you want it.
- Some roles allow telecommuting.
- Freelancing alleviates some boredom you might feel from being stuck in the same job with the same, repetitive tasks.
But before you take the freelancing plunge, you should also recognize the drawbacks. If you’re a solo freelancer, you may not have access to sick or vacation days. A freelancer often works without a safety net; if you don’t work, you don’t get paid. This is why many freelancers use the freelance gig economy to supplement their full-time employment.
Getting Started as a Freelancer
If you’re ready to get started as a freelancer, you can scour job boards and crowd-sourcing websites, such as freelancer.com. Reach out to your social network and let them know you’re looking for work. But, if you want to alleviate the job hunting that normally comes with freelancing, sign up with a creative staffing firm like Artisan Talent.
Working with a Staffing Agency
Artisan Talent is a free service (the employers pay our fees). You start the process by being assigned to a talent representative who will interview you for strengths, weaknesses, and personal goals, and then try to place you in a short or long-term assignment. We handle linking you with employers and become your best advocate in the freelance world.
Depending upon your expertise, roles can range from $25 to $150 per hour and can run as long as one to two years. We also handle temp to permanent placements and hire full-time creative talent for companies all over the country.
Want more information? Check out our YouTube channel!
Find a Freelance Job with Us!
The goal of Artisan Talent is to make all elements of the job search easy, whether you are a freelancer or you are looking for a new full-time job.
Contact us to find out how we can help you reach your freelance goals.
