Basically, a freelancer is a self-employed person working in a profession or trade where full-time employment is also common. As a rule, a freelancer works for several different companies or organizations rather than being directly employed by one.

Among the fields where freelancing is blooming and prospering are journalism, graphic and web design, writing articles and doing blogs, consulting and computer programming. By the way, sex workers are also freelancers. So historically, the working scheme has always been in place.

As any self-employment - both home-based and not – freelancing has a number of advantages, including no one controls you apart from your direct customers, a flexible schedule and a place of work that you can choose yourself.

One of the primary advantages that the freelancer can enjoy is a great variety of assignments that one cannot enjoy and experience in a regular job, which makes work exciting and fun.

It is worthwhile to note that with the development of Internet technologies the number of freelance web development jobs has mushroomed. And at present about 20% of web and graphic design and software development work are done by freelancers.

Very often freelancers are contacted and hired because their rates are much lower if compared to industrial standards (sometimes the gap amounts to 70 per cent!)

One of the drawbacks of freelancing, the main drawback actually, is that it provides no health insurance or offers no retirement pay. Freelance jobs are usually temporary, which creates an uncertainty of income.

However, freelancers who have a rich experience and built up a wide network of clients can become a bounty for employers. They can be offered a permanent job.

Some freelancers choose to sign written agreements when performing their work, some assignments are based on a verbal agreement. Some charge on an hourly basis, some per assignment. The main skill here is the ability to negotiate.

[tag] freelance jobs, freelancer, self-employed, home-based, self employment, web design [/tag]

A freelancer portfolio is not a bag; it is not even a convenient carry-all bag. A freelancer’s portfolio is an advertisement of your skills and talents as a freelance specialist usually placed at a freelance job website for the employer to find.

The ways to compile and design a portfolio can be varied. But whatever style you choose to go for, the ad should contain some essential information about you, your skills and experience. I have come across one of the professionally crafted portfolio styles and I would like to share it with you.

It consists of several parts, including the indication of skills of the freelancer, his/her website and contact numbers, a message from … (the name of the freelancer), a short presentation, the list of clients, special skills and additional services. A photo is a plus from what I could perceive, as it makes the portfolio more integrate and personalized.

So if you are up to writing a portfolio, first give your name and your specialty – for example, John Thereaper, Efficient Bounty Hunter. It can be followed by your contact numbers that is your e-mail address, telephone number and website (it would be useful to get one, if you are still wondering). You can also supply the address of the place you are located at.

You can indicate your experience (the number of years), primary specialty and the educational establishment that you have graduated from. In a special message to your prospective employer you are to write how you can be useful and where and under what conditions your talent is applied in full.

In the experience section, enumerate your clients, special skills and additional skills that can come in handy and are connected with your primary activities. You can see an example of a well-drawn portfolio at http://www.freelanceportfolios.com/index2/listings/page109.htm.

[tag] freelance, freelance jobs, freelancer, freelancer’s portfolio, primary specialty, special skills[/tag]

So you have got a writing talent and want to try your hand in doing it for a company before creating a book. Or maybe it is what you know how to do and earn some cash. Then you can go for freelance writing. It is a lesser responsibility than having your own home-based business and that allows you to save your efforts and energy for other things, like your family.

The most common freelance writing jobs are projects connected with journalism and other types of writing, scoping from graphic design and writing to computer programming and consulting. There are dozens of websites looking for freelancers and inviting prospective employers to choose and hire.

One of them is http://www.freelanceportfolios.com, a resource for both writing talents and those who are on the lookout for ones. You can submit your portfolio and the website can help you create a good one. It offers samples of inspiring portfolios for your guidance, which will give you a chance to market your services nationally and internationally. The service is free and the founders promise it will remain so.

When compiling your portfolio, you have to include your job description and the previous experience and the years you have been in the writing business. You will have to specify your discipline (writer or journalist) and specialty (can be magazine writing, travel, food and drink, fiction, etc.).

To get started, you should first create an account and log in. It is good this is also free and then you click on Submit A Portfolio and get it going. You know that you are to remember that as your future employer does not have a chance to see you personally for the time being, s/he will surely use a chance to read your portfolio carefully. So let your skills glow and your dedication attract. Let it be your leading article.

To boost your chances of finding a better job faster, place your portfolio at several websites.

[tag]freelance writing job, freelance writing, freelancer, portfolio, home-based business, writing talent[/tag]