Freelance jobs are temporary jobs. Employers prefer freelancers because they are highly experienced and have all the stuff needed to start working immediately. Salaries of freelancers are usually higher than other positions. The best thing about freelancing is the high pay and freedom to work when and where you want. The worst thing is the jobs are temporary and do not last very long so freelancers have to be constantly job hunting.
1) Freelance Copy Editors: Editors plan, review, and revise content for publication. Editors usually work in offices, but advances in technology now allow some editors to work wherever they have a computer. Because most editors have strict production deadlines, the work can be stressful and sometimes tiring. More than half of all editors work in the publishing industry. Most work full time. A college degree is generally required for someone to be an editor. Proficiency with computers and communications equipment also is necessary. The median annual wage of editors was $51,470.*
2) Freelance Writers/Bloggers: Writers and authors develop original written content for advertisements, books, magazines, movie and television scripts, songs, and online publications. Writers and authors work in an office, at home, or wherever else they have access to a computer. Most writers and authors work full time. However, self-employed and freelance writers usually work part time or have variable schedules. A college degree is generally required for a salaried position as a writer or an author. Proficiency with computers and communications equipment also is necessary to stay in touch with sources, editors, and other writers while working on assignments. Excellent writing skills are essential. The median annual wage of writers and authors was $55,420.*
3) Technical Support: Computer support specialists provide help and advice to people and organizations using computer software or equipment. Some, called technical support specialists, support information technology (IT) employees within their organization. Others, called help-desk technicians, assist non-IT users who are having computer problems. Computer support specialists work in many different industries, including IT, education, finance, health care, and telecommunication. Because of the wide range of skills for different computer support jobs, there are many paths into the occupation. A bachelor’s degree is required for some computer support specialist positions, but an associate’s degree or postsecondary classes may be enough for others. After being hired, many workers enter a training program that lasts for several months. The median annual wage of computer support specialists was $46,260.*
4) Freelance Web Developers/Designers: Information security analysts, web developers, and computer network architects all use information technology (IT) to advance their organization’s goals. Security analysts ensure a firm’s information stays safe from cyberattacks. Web developers create websites to help firms have a public face. Computer network architects create the internal networks all workers within organizations use. Many of these workers are employed in computer systems design and related services firms. Most information security analysts, web developers, and computer network architects work full time. Most of these workers have a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field. Information security analysts and network architects usually need experience in a related occupation, and additional knowledge of web programming languages can be helpful for web developers. The median annual wage of information security analysts, web developers, and computer network architects was $75,660.*
By S. Marie Surles, President of HEA-Employment.com
*Data received from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of 2010.