The art of “freelancing” has grown rapidly online, where people from all over the world can access the skills and talents of independent contractors for hire. A freelancer is an individual that is not under the employment of a company, but instead is contracted out by clients for work in their specific area of expertise. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that about 10.3 million US workers are freelancers (equating to about 7.4% of the workforce). Freelancers enjoy the freedom of setting their own hours and choosing the work they desire, as they are essentially a one person business.

In recent years the online revolution has also helped to spur the growth of this freelancing market. Many websites now serve as a hub to facilitate freelancers and those looking to hire them. Some of those websites include:
- www.getafreelancer.com
- www.ifreelance.com
- www.guru.com

A quick registration on any of these sites would enable you to either setup your own profile as a freelancer or post a job listing of your own for freelancers to bid on. It’s an online job marketplace where individuals are being contracted out every day for their skills. Some of the popular skill areas for freelancers include: writing, software development, website design, marketing & advertising, graphic design, and many others. Posting a listing in its appropriate skill category will allow individuals fitting the job description to place bids on the project and provide an estimated time to complete.

After reviewing the bids and experience levels of each of the freelancers, a more formal agreement can be setup to begin contracting of the work needed. Often after an initial project is completed, the freelancer is offered additional work by the original contractor, having shown the ability to accomplish the task efficiently.

To really understand the beauty of what freelancing can enable lies in the ability to access the skills and experience of others, who more than likely live hundreds of miles away. For a startup business venture, bringing in experienced persons to build aspects of your business can be extremely difficult. Hiring can be a daunting task for a small startup strapped for cash and the limited reach they have in acquiring qualified employees. The playing field is leveled now that startups can hire the experience they need through the online marketplace of freelancing. Creation of a website detailing the aspects of their business can be contracted out on the freelance hub sites. This saves valuable time and money that normally would be exerted in scouting out a local web developer or corporate web design entity.

Similar scenarios can be seen across many different business opportunities. Looking for a writer to contribute articles to your site? Hire a freelancer. Looking to create an iPhone app for that great game idea? Hire a freelancer. If you need an advertising specialist to promote your online presence on the web, you’ll find great freelance talent out there ready to work and ready to bid on the opportunity to work with you. They say jobs are scarce in this marketplace, but you might disagree after spending some time on these sites.

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Article Extras:

Here is a short PowerPoint presentation I did highlighting the uses of Freelancing:
- Freelance (PowerPoint 2007)
- Freelance (PowerPoint 2003)

If you have an idea that you might be pursuing as a possible business venture, it would be a good idea to check this out as it details every aspect of what you need to come with in advance.

It’s very important to have these things fledged out and planned ahead if possible.

Guide to Writing a Business Plan

Guide To Writing A Business Plan
by Jerry Glen,

1. Name of Firm. State the legal name of the business.

2. Owner or Owner-To-Be. State owner(s) name(s), as well as the form and percent of ownership.

3. Information on the Business

a. Type of Business and Product or Service.

• State the general and specific nature of the business (i.e.,general -energy-, specific – oil, solar, wind: or general – food; specific restaurant, catering, farming, ice cream parlor, bakery).
• State the type of…

Read the rest of the article

New Web Services Vying for Business

By Nick Carson - Published Issue 2, 23^rd Sept’09

Discover “Web 2.0″ with a look at new services emerging on the internet. Several of them might even become household names like our beloved Twitter, Facebook and Google’s of today. Whether you’re looking to study for the GMAT or just save money, there are a few web services I’d like to share with you.

Check out Grockit. www.grockit.com

If you’re studying for the GMAT or LSAT, you understand the agony of endlessly practicing questions and going through archives of old tests. Consider studying in a new way with Grockit. Grockit is a new service that allows you to study and practice questions online with other students. You begin by logging in and selecting a group of 4-5 people you want to study with. The site enters you and your peers into a private chat room and presents you with a question on the subject you chose. For example, many of you may be looking into an MBA, so you might be practicing verbal questions for the GMAT. The questions are similar to those given on the actual test and give you multiple answers to choose from. Together, as a collaborative unit, you can discuss the question with your peers and see the answer that others have selected. Sharing your thoughts on the question and discussing with your peers will help you arrive at the correct thinking. The idea is that together you can practice with other students in live study groups. Right now, Grockit offers SAT, ACT and GMAT, with plans to include LSAT, MCAT and the GRE.

Want to save money? Take a look at Mint. www.mint.com

The service allows you to link together all your bank accounts, credit cards, investment accounts, and loans — basically anything related to your financial status. It will then analyze all the transactions you have made and identify various areas you can save money. Setup was simple when I gave it a try. I added in my Wachovia checking accounts, credit cards and my E*Trade financial investment account, and it correctly analyzed and categorized the transactions into restaurants, rent, bank fees, etc. After analyzing the data, it provided a detailed account and chart of where I was spending my money every month. This is a really powerful tool, with advanced options to set budgets and goals. Try it and you might discover numerous areas where you could save money that went unnoticed before.

Grockit and Mint were emerging companies featured at the TechCrunch50, a conference dedicated in discovering the best Web 2.0 start-ups and ventures. Finalists at the conference presented in front of venture capitalists, companies and press known for being influential industry leaders. Take a look at the conference online for other great start-ups (www.techcrunch50.com). According to TechCrunch, Grockit raised a sum of $10.7 million in funding. Mint, launched in 2007, was later acquired in 2009 by Intuit for a sum of $170 million. These rising stars of the internet world are sure to make a splash in the coming months and showcase more of the countless applications possible.

My mind never stops thinking of new ideas to pursue in the future. Business ideas, products and innovations circle my thoughts on a constant basis. My ambition since before I could even remember is to bring together  the right people with the right resources to create a successful enterprise. Aiming to inspire others with  ideas and pursue their development. Each step I take in life propels me toward that goal.

Specializing in computer hardware and software system, I have designed websites, built computer systems, and coded various software applications for research projects. Aside from technical knowledge in my field, I am a highly motivated entrepreneur. I have done freelance work, served as a brand rep for a major corporation, dealt with several start-ups, and pursued various venture opportunities. I look forward to ultimately starting and running my own business in the tech/software market utilizing my technical knowledge and entrepreneurial mindset.

About Carson Critique:
This site serves as a resource and discussion of business, computers/technology, college life, and insight into the mindset of an entrepreneur. It also serves to critique the decisions and path taken along the way. I have also provided a look into my current projects, educational endeavors, and job opportunities.

For Prospective Employers/Interested Persons:

• View my Resume (Updated for Spring 2009)
• View my Portfolio (Updated for Spring 2009)