Many people don't know what freelancing is or in what industries freelancers work in. This document is an attempt to dispel freelancing myths and provide some truth into what freelancers do. It's also a little introduction to my team!

1. What is Freelancing?
By Melissa Van Hoorne

2. In 1820, Sir Walter Scott put the “free” in “freelancer”. He used the word to describe a mercenary
not sworn to any lord's services. The “lance” is then available for “free. Since then, the word
“freelancer” has evolved into a few forms of a noun (i.e. freelancing and freelancer), an adjective
(i.e. freelance writer), a verb (i.e. to freelance).
The etymology of freelancing
What Does a Freelancer Do?
A freelancer, also known as an “independent contractor” can do a number of different jobs for any
number of clients. They exist in any specialty area such as: teaching, nursing, engineering,
accounting, law, programming, designing and photography.
Benefits of Freelancing
Freedom and flexibility in working spaces, schedule and clients. How much you earn is limited only by
how hard you work. You have more control over your wages and clients.
Pitfalls of Freelancing
Wage and job competition in the industry, having to work long hours to make ends meet, meeting
demands of multiple clients, juggling multiple deadlines

3. What My Team Says
Heidi Lis
Freelancing provides an abundance of
opportunities for individuals from
different walks of life to be able to
serve others and share their
capabilities without sacrificing their
personal goals and aspirations.
A type of self-
employment in which
an individual sells
his/her set of skills to
multiple employers.
Also, a hustle.
Freelancing is a beautiful system. I
can spend my free time doing what I
love, and then share it with people
for a little profit. Being able to work
from home, or school, or my other
job that is completely menial is
nothing short of incredible. Again, I
get to professionally do what I love
and share it with people. Freelancing
is an art, freelancing is freedom.
Caitlin Campbell
Freelancing is a way to showcase
your own creative thoughts you
have gained with experience. Use
your imagination to think outside
of the box; let your skills and
talents help you start a business all
on your own. Embrace it and
challenge yourself, this has worked
for me, and let me tell you what an
awesome adventure it has been.
Anne Alberto Cristian Rivera
Heidi Lis

4. About Melissa
Melissa Van Hoorne is Editor and co-founder of This Freelancer Life with friend
and co-worker Katie Joll. Melissa starting freelancing two years ago when
fibromyalgia started impacting her day-to-day living. Rather than go on
disability, she chose freelancing.
Now she uses This Freelancer Life as a way to help spread the message of
empowerment to freelancers from everywhere, in all walks of life.
CJ Callen
For me, the ability to work online out of my home was a God-send. My job of 25 years was an
extremely physical one: I was dealing with the big boys, usually the only woman in the kitchen,
which made me work all the harder...I had to prove myself in their eyes (funny how the cook at
home is a woman, but in a restaurant, it's usually a man's world).
Well...
One day I went to the kitchen to get a glass of milk. I reached out with my left hand, and I was
struck by a pain that I can only describe as being struck by lightning. From that moment on, my life
would never be the same. After all kinds of medical crap, it was determined that my spine was
falling apart (laymen's terms). So, I had to quit my outside job.
Luckily, I was afforded a good education, and writing was a passion of mine since the fourth grade.
I was trying to find out what I could do to make a living. I was initially sucked in by all the usual
sh@#, Write and make money...but give us money first. That is why I really care about this
magazine...people like me, who had to feel around in the dark, make many mistakes, and earn less
than their worth...TFL (thanks to us accomplished freelancers) will afford them our knowledge and
they can avoid all the trappings that sucks beginning freelancers in.
CJ Callen

5. Read the entire article
and download the magazine apps at
www.thisfreelancerlife.com