Freelancer facts for kids
A freelancer is someone who works for themselves. They are not tied to one boss or company for a long time. Think of them as independent workers.
Sometimes, a company or an agency helps freelancers find work. Other times, freelancers find jobs on their own. They might use special websites or groups to connect with clients.
The word "freelancing" is often used in creative jobs. This includes music, writing, acting, and design. It also covers computer programming, translating, and making films. Many people in these fields choose to work freelance.
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What is Freelancing Like?
Different Kinds of Freelance Work
Many freelancers do writing jobs. This includes writing articles, editing, or creating ads. Design work is also very popular for freelancers. This could be graphic design or web design.
Other common freelance jobs include translating languages. Building websites is another big area. Marketing and advertising also use many freelancers.
It's expected that more and more people will become freelancers. In the United States, about 40% of workers might be freelancers soon.
How Freelancers Get Paid
How freelancers get paid can be different. It depends on the job and what they do. For some big projects, freelancers might ask clients to sign a written agreement.
Sometimes, especially in writing, freelancers might work for free at first. This helps them build their name or get a relationship with a company. Some freelancers give a price estimate and ask for some money upfront.
Payment can be by the day, hour, or for the whole project. Some freelancers charge based on how much value their work brings to the client. Payments might be made at the start, in parts, or when the job is done.
One tough part of freelancing is that payment is not always guaranteed. Work can sometimes be uncertain. Many freelancers use online payment tools to help make sure they get paid.
Who Owns the Work? (Copyright)
When a freelancer creates something for a client, who owns it? This is about copyright law. Copyright laws are different in each country.
In some places, the client owns the work by default. In others, the freelancer owns it. How much this can be changed by a contract also varies.
Copyright in the United States
In the United States, the person who creates the work usually owns the copyright. If a client wants to own it, the contract must clearly say "work for hire." It must also say that the copyright is given to the client.
If the contract doesn't say this, the freelancer keeps the right to copy the work. Even if the copyright is not officially registered, the freelancer still owns these rights.
Who are Freelancers?
Many people in Europe and the United States work independently. This means about 20-30% of all working-age people.
In the US, the exact number of freelancers changes. In 2005, about 10.3 million US workers were independent contractors. By 2016, some estimates said 55 million people were self-employed. They earned about $1 trillion from freelancing that year.
In the United Kingdom, about 1.7 million people are estimated to be freelancers.
More women tend to be freelancers than men. One report found that over 71% of freelancers were women. They were often between 30 and 50 years old. For example, many freelance journalists and editors are women.
Why People Freelance
Benefits of Freelancing
People choose freelancing for many reasons. These reasons can be different for men and women. Women often like the freedom and flexibility of scheduling their work. Men might freelance to follow their personal interests.
Freelancing can also help people get better jobs in smaller towns. Another benefit is choosing who you work with. Freelancers can decide if they want to take on a project or client.
Some people become freelancers after losing a job. Others can't find full-time work. Students also freelance to earn money while studying. Many freelancers say they value the choice and flexibility it offers.
Drawbacks of Freelancing
Freelancing can sometimes be uncertain. It's not always easy to find steady work. Many freelancers worry about clients who pay late. They also face times with no work at all.
Freelancers usually don't get benefits like a pension, sick leave, or health insurance. This can be hard, especially in countries without free healthcare.
Sometimes, freelancers earn less than people with full-time jobs. Even experienced freelancers might not make as much. Some online platforms can attract clients who pay very low rates. This can lower the quality of work available.
For example, a study in Canada found that freelance journalists often earned much less. A full-time staff journalist might earn over $63,500 a year. A freelance journalist with similar experience might earn only $29,999.
Working from home is a big part of freelancing. But it can also bring new challenges. For example, people might feel isolated. They might also feel pressure to always be available online.
Freelancing Online
The Internet has created many new freelance jobs. It has opened up markets all over the world. Many computer-related freelance jobs are now done by people in other countries.
Online freelance marketplaces are like websites where freelancers and clients meet. Freelancers create a profile showing their skills and work examples. Clients post projects they need help with. Freelancers then offer to do these projects.
These websites let workers from different countries compete for jobs. About 15% of independent workers use these online marketplaces.
However, some of these marketplaces have been criticized. People say they might not always treat workers fairly.
Legal Side of Freelancing
Freelancers often have to handle many things themselves. This includes contracts, legal issues, and marketing. These tasks can take a lot of time and money. Their working hours can also be longer than a regular job.
In the United States, government agencies are looking more closely at freelancers. They want to make sure companies are not wrongly calling workers "independent contractors." This is to avoid paying taxes and benefits.
This means companies must be careful about how they classify workers. For example, in some states, a company can only hire a freelancer for work that is not their main business. A software company might hire a freelance electrician, but not a freelance software engineer.
Where Does the Word "Freelancer" Come From?
The word "freelancer" is often linked to Sir Walter Scott. He used it in his book Ivanhoe (1820). It described a "medieval mercenary warrior." This was a knight whose "lance" (weapon) was not sworn to any lord. It meant they were available to fight for anyone who paid them.
The word became a common noun around the 1860s. By 1903, it was also used as a verb. Today, you can use "freelance" as a noun, adjective, verb, or adverb.
See also
In Spanish: Trabajador autónomo para niños
- Self-employment
- Temporary work
- Independent contractor
- Employment website
- Crowdsourcing
