Some of my happiest memories and best experience gained in my career come from times when I have worked as a freelance. I felt valued, was made to feel that my expertise were needed and wanted and it meanst that I could choose when I worked – and for whom!
Today is National Freelancers Day, and quite frankly it’s about time that freelancers got some credit. In my industry, aside from people being glad to get a pair of hands on deck to muck through so things can meet deadline, you can often feel isolated if you are working for different clients all the time – quite literally, too, because sometimes you get dumped on a Mac in the obyss somewhere with a grubby keyboard and a chair that just about has enough cushioning left in it to be deemed safe.
Despite the highs and lows, some people make their crust by working freelance permanently. And with the economy being what it is today, more and more of us are looking for ways to make an extra pound. As a lot of businesses roll our redundancies like it’s going out of fashion, a lot of them will use the services of experienced professionals to bring their operational costs down, so get registered on as many sites as you can and start earning that much needed money!
Here is a rundown of some of my favourite websites that can help you get those freelance jos:
1. Remote Employment (www.remoteemployment.com) – be it sales or marketing, there is something here for everyone who wants to work remotely. It’s free to use, and you can create a profile page to let potential contractors/employers find out more about you and your skills and experience.
2. People Per Hour (www.peopleperhour.com) – this is like the eBay of the working world because ypou have to bid for jobs. The difference is that it’s not the highest (or lowest) bidder who wins the bid – it’s just a way for you to sell yourself and your experience and ask questions direct to the potential employer. The only downside to using this website is that it takes a cut from your earnings depending on your membership and the amount of money you make, so read the smallprint before you start.
3. Gumtree (www.gumtree.co.uk) – I was amazed the first time I saw people posting adverts to showcase their skills, but they do, and so can you! Employers also post jobs on this website, too,? so it’s worth taking a look every so often! This is great for things like carers, nannies and childminders, as there always seems to be job adverts direct from families on here.
4. Elance (www.elance.com)? – a bit like People Per Hour but it is the US version. The interface is very comprehensive and you will get protection as a ‘provider’? (freelancer), but you will be competing against providers in India, China and some Asia Pacific countries, so you’ll have your jobs cut out for you when you are bidding the going rate in the UK! However, I have seen some people request bidders from the UK only, so you could get lucky!
5. FreelanceAdviser (www.freelanceadviser.co.uk) – this website is full of tips ad advice for becoming a freelancer and is a must-visit. If you are thinking about becoming a freelancer and want to know more about the legal and tax implications, how to apply for jobs etc, this is the place to start. The site also has jobs lisitings in the form of blog postings, so it’s worth subscribing to.
6. Hire My Parents (www.hiremyparents.com) – This is a new website dedicated to helping parents find work. It’s early days, but is one that’s worth registering for, as it hold a lot of promise, and the beta site was very good!
