2. What does freelance mean?
Freelance is working for your self using the skills you have
developed by working to a brief given by clients for money in
return.
It means that you have chosen to create a name for yourself
rather than be just one in a hundred at a developer company
for example.
3. Industries within the freelance
sector
Industries within the sector include: Freelance
Journalism, Associate Producer (Television) &
Freelance Photographer. Etc.
Journalism: Hard work, shop around, pitch your
ideas around, need contacts, paid per article or
story.
Associate Producer (Television): Work well with a
team, raise money for financing, supervise stages
of production & act well under time
constraints/under pressure.
Freelance Photography: Take pictures and sell for
X amount, can sell to tabloids, go to events to take
pictures, exclusive photos sell well, need
connections & contacts.
4. Types of Contract
Written Contract: Provides certainty for both parties, details are
clear, talks of benefits, timeframe and payments. You also have a
copy of this contract as a binding pact.
Verbal: Only good for close relationships with company, this might
be something as simple as a handshake, however, there is no proof
of this contract existing.
Standard Form Contract: Pre planned and ready to be signed,
little input from you, legal fine print may be hard to understand, can
negotiate clause in contract.
5. Contractual Obligations
Usually involves having a set amount of work
hours.
X amount of hours for X amount of money.
Might be X amount per asset.
Each party responsible for their respective duties.
Each party exchanges something of value.
6. Finance & Costs
One of the biggest and scariest things is the fact of how much you earn and
how much you spend.
In this line of work you can expect to have work draughts, and in this time its
good to have some emergency cash or even a site to sell assets you’ve
made or at you’ve made for a small fee this will keep you paid during the
days were you have no work.
The biggest problem with working as a freelancer is doing admin work
having to look after your taxes and charging VAT as well as keeping on top
of bills an managing income.
7. Salary
According to salary.com, the median salary
(for employees) ranges from about £48,000
to about £65,000 USD depending on level
of experience. While the average income of
freelance developers isn't readily available
information, I've seen some people claim
that you can earn up to £132,000 USD as a
freelance web developer.
8. Health & safety implications
Sitting at home doing what you love may seem like
a safe job but it is in fact very dangerous there a
many risk such as eye strain or back issues if you
become to enveloped in your work you may go
hours with about food or drink as well as no
brakes it is important to look after yourself and
take beaks and go out as well as keep to a
schedule for both sleep and work.
