Freelancing vs Contracting

What is a freelancer? Bueller? Webster? Ah, yes, Webster:

Definition of FREELANCE

1. A person who acts independently without being affiliated with or authorized by an organization

2. A person who pursues a profession without a long-term commitment to any one employer

Sounds about right. A freelancer in design, web development, marketing, accounting or even in blogging will probably tell you that this definition is subjective. Especially when they’re pursuing work they care about. There’s also some confusion on the difference between what a freelancer is and a contractor.

Here’s what else your organization needs to understand when considering a freelance hire:

Freelancing can be some people’s full-time employment, working for 40 hours a week with several companies.

While some people work freelance as side job to their 9–5, most independent professionals are coming out of a typical work structure and have created full-time income from their self-employed freelancing. This means their full efforts will be on your project and your satisfaction, as it’s success depends on their next project.

Most full time freelancers left their jobs to be able to choose the organizations they work for while doing what they love. Their passion, commitment and productivity-minded spirit will shine through in their work. Freelancers spend their time perfecting their craft which means you get someone in-the-know in their field and using the latest in technology.

What are contractors? Are they the same thing as freelancers?

Yes, freelancers and contractors have similarities. The main one being that they both are independently working from gig to gig as professionals in their field. The difference is that contractors are ‘contracted’ for a certain amount of time or a project and paid based on the hours worked, which are typically for longer periods of time. Freelancers work on project that is defined and typically for a short period of time.

Contracting gigs can also differ from freelancing in regards to where they work. If you’re allocating a contracted time for a project, the contractor might need to come to you on site. This has its limitations. Freelancers can work on your project from anywhere in the world, at any time.

Hopefully this cleared up some of the confusion. At Wethos, nonprofit organizations are connected with collaborative, freelance professional teams not only with the needed expertise, but also with a shared passion for the program & cause being worked on. Freelancers can put their skills to work that is impactful, making the project more purposeful and the organization’s goals are met with flawless, meaningful execution.