There is such a profession - a freelancer. And this is not even a profession in the old sense of the word, but a way of hiring. Literally, a freelancer is romantically translated as “free lancer”, “free shooter”, that is, a freelance worker, a specialist who offers his services independently, without concluding a familiar labor contract. Freelancing became so widespread that a special holiday was established in his honor.
How did freelance come about?
The history of remote employment totals only several tens of years. This idea was born in the 70s of the last century with the American Jack Nilles: he decided that it was much more profitable to keep in touch with staff by phone than to rent an office for them. The first name of freelance is "telework".
A decade later, freelance began to develop dynamically thanks to the creation of the Internet. If at the beginning of this century, freelancing was considered a necessary measure and a part-time job for students, today eminent specialists in various fields are proud to declare their belonging to the fraternity of “free shooters”.
What industries do freelancers prefer
It is a mistake to consider that freelancers are necessarily working on Internet resources. In journalism, for example, freelancing has been common for quite some time: the journalist was called "freelance," he himself chose publishers and editors, and could collaborate with several at the same time.
This method of cooperation is also quite common in construction, design, computer technology, law, linguistics, after-sales services, staff recruitment, and consulting. In fact, this approach is applicable in any field that does not require a personal presence, such as pedagogy or the field of hairdressing.
What is attractive about freelance?
A specialist in any industry who prefers free swimming tied to a specific office can become a “free lance-bearer". Such an activity is well suited for those who prefer to plan their own lives and take responsibility. The advantages of freelancing for such employees are obvious:
- the ability to choose the right employer and terms of cooperation;
- independent planning of your time and workload;
- there is time to engage in several areas, if there is such a desire;
- earnings directly depend on the quality and volume of work performed;
- wide field for creativity and self-development.
The statistics of recent years indicate a more favorable position of freelancers in relation to a full-time employee: the earning of the first is 30-40% higher.
Of course, in remote work there are also disadvantages: this is separation from colleagues, and the difficulty of sharing professional experience, some isolation, lack of social security and the need for legal registration of one's activities. However, in the legislation of many countries there is a tendency to legalize remote work.
Freelancer Day in Russia
In 2005, one of the domestic pioneers in this field, the Freelance exchange, initiated meetings of like-minded people - “free shooters”, timed to coincide with its founding day.
Since then, May 14th, Freelancer Day has been celebrated by all employees who work outside the offices. Undoubtedly, the introduction of such a holiday unites freelancers, helping them exchange experiences not only at thematic forums, but also in person.
On May 14, peculiar freelance seminars of various directions are held annually, ending with friendly gatherings and creative evenings. Being somewhat fragmented and isolated by the nature of their activity, freelancers need such events in order to develop professionally, make business acquaintances and exchange experience with colleagues.
Freelancer Day Greetings
Creating the Internet for freelance work is a paradise: it is not only a way of finding customers, disseminating information about yourself, but also a place of communication with colleagues. Most of the congratulations on Freelancer Day comes from online forums, blogs, social networks, and exchanges.
Freelancers are creative and independent people, that's why they write original congratulations for colleagues. Such holiday texts are also in the nature of self-promotion, because not a single professional freelancer for a moment will forget about promoting himself in the selected market.
Free artists
Freelance Workers,
You and the drovers yourself
And the foremen are noble.
Idea philanthropists
Tenants,
Designers, builders,
Lawyers, copywriters.
We wish you inspiration
And the joys of creation!
Worthy of recognition!
Profitable investment!
In honor of such a respected profession on the Internet you can find a lot of congratulations; here I would like to give here such incendiary words:
We wish you profitable orders,
To make the Internet work,
And you wouldn’t have any refusals,
The apartment would not turn off the lights.
Extremely lovely customers,
And even generous sometimes,
Orders where indispensable
You never will.
Freelancer Day has not yet been officially recognized as a professional holiday, but given the speed of development of this activity, such recognition is not far off.