Ready to join the ranks of the gig economy and start your own freelance business? Being your own boss has a lot of advantages, but there are some pitfalls. From concerns about cash management to worries about being personally liable, a freelancing business is a bit more complicated than grabbing a listing off a job board.
Whether you’re looking to start a freelancing career or you want to create your own business as a side hustle, here’s a step-by-step guide to freelancing for beginners.
What Is a Freelance Business?
One way freelance businesses are a bit different from a traditional business entity is that you’re usually selling services and not physical products. Most start their freelance journey as independent contractors hired for a specific project or paid an hourly rate.
According to the Gig Economy Data Hub, nearly a quarter of all global workers and as much as 11% of the American workforce do some freelancing either as their full-time job or as a side hustle.
Many freelancers may have one or two long-term clients that provide the equivalent of a full-time job, while other freelancers pick up a patchwork of short-term gigs. Some common freelance jobs include being a web designer or freelance writer or illustrator. Unlike other professionals or full-time workers, a full-time freelancer scouts out their own potential clients and usually works remotely.
Looking to start working as a freelance writer? Here are 19 sites that pay contributors. What Are the
