What is the Definition of Freelance Work?

A common question, "What is the definition ofHow many skills do you have that you can provide to
freelance work" can be answered very simply - it isothers? Can you teach a language? Can you write
work offered on a part time basis to more than oneletters? Can you deal with authorities? Can you build
company or individual.shelves and cupboards into rooms? Can you repair
When times are hard, whether because of the generalroofs? Can you maintain a motor car in good
economic climate or because of a particular need (acondition? You could probably create a list of things
holiday, for example) most people have a skill or abilitythat you can do to an acceptable level that would
that they can offer. Something as simple as dogenable you to offer something to just about anybody
walking can often produce good financial rewards.you know or meet.
Naturally, most people can walk a dog but how manySo, what is the definition of freelance work - it is work
would think of offering that service on a freelance,that you can do for others who do not want to do it
paid-for basis?themselves - and get paid for it!
The number of small jobs that many people wouldIf you have a skill that you are particularly proficient at,
happily pay someone else to do has often been ayou could create a small market for yourself
great source of charity collections. Think aboutspecializing in that skill. Maybe you have a way with
'bob-a-job' if you are British or cookie sales to raisewords? Probably one of the biggest groups of
funds if you are American.freelancers is writers. When you think about it, you are
What can you do that other people might rather paysurrounded by the written word. Just about
to have done for them? Sweeping the drive? Mowingeverywhere you look you will see something that
the lawn? Weeding the garden? Trimming thesomebody else has written - even if it is only the
hedges? Cleaning out the garage? Cleaning thecontents on a food container.
cooker? Cleaning the house? Cleaning the car?If you look at your local newspapers and magazines,
Polishing brasses? There is no end to the domestichow much of the content, do you suppose, has been
work that a competent freelance worker cannot turnwritten by freelance writers? If you were to submit a
into a source of cash.piece of written work, do you suppose that there is a
A major benefit of the vast majority of domesticchance it will be published? If it was good enough and
tasks is that they are recurring. Sweep the drive onin a category the newspaper or magazine particularly
Monday and the chances are it will need doing againconcentrated on, do you suppose they might pay you
on Wednesday. Weed the garden on Sunday, nextto write more?
Sunday it will need doing again.Freelance workers are always in demand and
It is this general nature of most freelance work thatfreelance work is always available - why not give
makes it such a successful option for most people tosome thought to getting your share?
add to or even replace their income.