Freelancers may choose to take on new clients as needed to reach their personal, professional and financial goals. In this work arrangement, the freelancer works as an independent contractor, rather than as an employee of another company. Professionals who specialise in a specific skill set may offer their services to other individuals or companies as a freelancer. To understand what does freelance mean, it's important to know that freelance refers to self-employed work. Related: What Is Self Employed? Benefits, Types and Examples What does freelance mean? In this article, we explain what does freelance mean, share tips to help you get started and explore popular freelance jobs. If you want to take on more projects you are passionate about, work with a wide variety of clients and set your own schedule, then becoming a freelancer might be the right choice for you. Many professionals are also choosing to take on freelance work because it offers them more freedom and control over their careers. It may not have the same exact meaning today, but the idea that you as a freelancer, a business owner who works for him or herself, selling your services to the highest bidder are free to offer your lance (your services or products) to whatever Lord (client or company) of your choosing are so skilled that you, on your own can provide an income and develop clientele so worthy as not to have to rely on the safety of a large company or institution for your lively hood. I don’t know about you, but if you’re in business for yourself…that feels pretty BA.As remote work opportunities continue to increase, many employers are seeking freelance workers to reduce employment costs. Coined in 1819 by Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott, the term freelance was recognized as an official verb by the Oxford English Dictionary in 1903 and since then has expanded in our everyday vocabulary as a noun, adjective and adverb. In the medieval days, if a knight was so skilled with his lance, he would be free to offer it to the lord or wealthy land owner of his choosing, moving from kingdom to kingdom, his lance as his livelihood. You’re a hired weapon, a soldier who can offer his lance to whatever Lord he chooses. As it turns out, if you’re a freelancer, you’re a mercenary. working for different companies at different times rather than being permanently employed by one company.īut where did the term come from? I’ve often wondered this, but have never given it much thought. Today, here is how we describe freelancers: free More and more of the working world today is “freelance.” Since the dawn of the laptop, individuals with enough drive and passion are empowered to develop a set of skills and apply them towards creating a business and are able work for whomever they choose.

Freelancer meaning