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Whether you’re looking for a job with flexible working hours, you want something with more variety, or you’re just really interested in pursuing a passion you haven’t been able to utilise in your current role – freelancing is a great way to break out of the 9-5 and go it alone.

To give you and insight of what freelancing is all about, here are a few things you should know:

Freelance work is a type of self-employment that is carried out on a flexible basis, and provided to a variety of different businesses.

Freelancers could work on big or small projects, both short-term and long-term – depending on what suits their skills, availability, and the employer’s needs.

Typical tasks could include anything from building a website or designing a logo, to writing a weekly blog post or shooting and editing a video.

Usually, employers will get the ball rolling by posting a job or project on a freelance website.

This allows freelancers to contact them, explaining the reasons their skills and abilities make them suitable for this particular role – also stating how much they’d charge.

The employer is then able to choose from a number of proposals to find the best fit, discuss next steps, and come to a mutual agreement on how and when the work will be done. After it’s completed to the required standard, payment will be made.

Almost every service an employer needs can be outsourced to a freelancer.

However, there are certain fields and industries where freelance work is particularly common. These include:

There are many benefits of becoming a freelancer. These include:

Because of these perks, it’s a particularly common choice amongst students or recent graduates, those who have lost their jobs, working parents, or people trying to pursue a particular passion or career path that they can’t easily find in regular role.

Freelancers are typically paid hourly, or at a fixed rate.

They’ll usually set their rates themselves – Amazon Handmade Vs Etsy: Which is Better? will depend on the type of service they’re offering, the value of the product, how qualified/experienced they are, and how long the project will take to complete.

Pay can often be negotiated if necessary, and will vary from job to job.

Although freelance work has many perks, it’s not for everyone.

Aside from a high level of self-motivation (see also: objectivity), you’ll also need to be extremely adaptable, personable, and a great communicator. Specific skills and knowledge within the industry you’re offering work in is also vital – as most freelancers are up against a high level of competition.

Employers looking to hire freelancers will usually expect to see examples of their work, meaning an extensive portfolio that shows off your expertise and skills is essential.

Qualifications may be preferred, but this will depend entirely on your line of work, and the employer’s needs.

Freelance work can be found on a range of job sites, including reed.co.uk.

However, there are also a number of websites dedicated solely to freelancers and the businesses and individuals looking to hire them.

Freesy, Upwork, Freelancer, and Peopleperhour are just a few sites you could choose from.

Freesy is an online platform designed for freelancers to showcase their profile, explore opportunities, and connect directly with companies looking for talent.

They take care of payments, so you’ll always get paid on time, every time.

And, because they don’t charge any fees to freelancers (and only charge employers 5%), you know you’ll be getting the amount you deserve.

Here are some of our top tips to help you get started as a freelancer:

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