American freelancing marketplace Upwork helps freelancers find clients and clients find freelancers. Upwork’s 2021 report says that more than a third of the entire United States workforce “performed freelance work in the past 12 months.” The proportion is significant, given that freelancing is a form of non-traditional employment.
Freelancing is a form of self-employment where one works for one or multiple business clients on a project or hourly basis. A freelancer does not commit to a single employer long-term and does not receive employment benefits.
Gig work and side hustles have become part of our cultural and professional vernacular as a result of the rise in non-traditional work.
Many may recall that freelancing and entrepreneurship were once considered not “real jobs”. But with the explosion of tech startups dominating business culture, what is now considered cool or desirable in the professional world is how one can endeavor to work on their own or with a small team. In a world plagued by uncertainty, change, and chaos, it seems extraordinary, even heroic, for one to work on their own terms.
The narrative that the path to success is predicated on acceptance to an elite institution followed by securing employment at an elite corporation no longer captivates the American imagination as it did before. Following this path, for many, has come with the burden of overwhelming educational debt and the costs of living in an expensive city that can only barely be covered by one’s salary. In many cases, one’s place of dwelling is not entirely of personal preference but a practical necessity of proximity to the office. And along with these burdens, many full-time employees in the United States are extremely dissatisfied with their jobs.
Thinking of going solo? Hire a business attorney
There’s no denying that freelancing is less stable and, in a sense, defined than a traditional 9-5 corporate job. The nature of self-employment is that one is responsible for far more than the tasks of the job alone.
That said, freelancing allows for freedom in regard to the location and timing of work. Autonomy, independence, and flexibility are possibly the very best traits of freelance work—but they come with great responsibility. A freelancer is her own boss.
A freelancer does not have a predictable income, vacation terms, sick terms, health insurance, or retirement plans. One is in charge of overseeing human resource and legal matters or hiring experts to ensure that you are properly advised.
It is best to hire a business law attorney in regard to matters of ownership, intellectual property, contracts, partnerships, and other areas mentioned here. These issues are commonly mistaken as issues of insignificant importance. They can make or break your business.
Freelancing contracts should be drafted and reviewed by a business attorney to avoid potential disputes or even litigation. A contractor may perform work that is highly integral to their client’s business and may be privy to intimate details of their client’s work.
Freelancing comes with many financial and non-financial advantages and disadvantages in comparison to traditional employment. The best career for you depends on your personality, lifestyle, values, goals, and much more.
