Freelancing is an ideal option for professionals who want to break away from the world of bosses, salaries and fixed number of holidays. Freelancer discusses the nuances of freelancing

Whether you want to break free from a full-time job or desire to manage multiple professions, freelancing is an ideal option for those who wish to rely on their creative instincts and special skills to be self-employed. If freelancing is what you are contemplating, here’s what you need to consider before you decide to bid adieu to your full time job.

Is a freelance worker the same as a temporary worker?A freelancer is a contract worker or self-employed? Well, afreelance worker may be all of these things. Freelance workers are self-employed, but they don’town a store like a merchant, a professional office, like a doctor or lawyer, or a salon like a hairstylist.

A 'free lance', (medieval term for a mercenary soldier) is a soldier who is not attached to any particular master or government and can be hired for the task at hand.More often than not, freelancers work on creative projects. Freelance photographers, graphic designers, dress designers and writers are common examples.

Most of the creative jobs are solitary pursuits. Usually freelancers work on a project-to-project basis. Whether the project is a photo-shoot, a video presentation, a book, a technical report, or even a performance, freelancers are hired to do their jobs because they have specific skills that can meet a very specific task.Sometimes they have a lot of different projects with a lot of different clients all going at once.

“After working for a couple of years in an ad agency, I decided to work independently as a designer. Today, I am working for many clients and handling many projects at one time, and needless to mention, earning much more than one full time job,” informs Shyam Kumar, 29, a freelance graphic designer.“No pretence, uncertainty of job is very much there, once the projects are over I need to look for more work. You need to build contacts and the returns you ask for vary according to what work you get. If badly in need of work, you need to lower your price; if you have your hands full, you can ask for big bucks for your services and time,” he advises.

Freelancers may charge by the day or hour, or on a per-job basis. Payment arrangements may be upfront, half-half, or upon completion. Some require clients to sign written contracts, while others may perform work based on verbal agreements. Some freelancers may provide written estimates of work and request deposits from clients.

“When I moved to my new flat, my neighbour, working for a cartoon channel, suggested I dub for his programmes. I never knew being fluent in Hindi could be as profitable as this,” says Sheela Sharma, 42, a dubbing artist.“I am working for around 10-15 days a month and earning a fat pay packet,” adds Sheela who is looking forward to get some more work as a voice over artist.

There’s more to freelancing than just knowing design, illustration, creative writing, music, or providing professional services.A couple of years experience as a full-time employee in the concerned field is important and essential to understand the flow of work. A big part of thefreelancing business is business itself, requiring a good grasp of bookkeeping, marketing, accounting, and tax and retirement planning. Freelancers need to know how to win new clients, how to self-promote, network, and organise their work schedules and inputs. Are you game for it?

Some Options for Freelancers:

Accountant
Copywriter
Graphic Designer
Cartoonist/Artist
Painter/Sculptor
Interior Designer
Consultants
Public Relation Personnel
Beautician/Hair Stylist
Script Writer
Stuntmen
Dubbing Artist
Party Singer/Performer
Fashion Designer
Model
Photographer
Writer/Journalist
Proof Reader
Care takers
Caterer
Tutor
Anchor
Translator


Benefits:

Freedom to choose work and timings
Variety of assignments for creative expression
Can work for more than one firm/client at the same time