
Freelancer vs Entrepreneur: What’s The Distinction?
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A world pandemic, cost-of-living disaster, growing monetary woes… The worldwide panorama is shifting, and it’s inflicting many people to rethink our work state of affairs or search methods to earn some further revenue.
Throughout COVID 19, many people turned accustomed to working from residence, wrapping our heads round instruments like distant desktop software program for Home windows and possibly feeling resentful about being requested to return to the workplace.
You might have thought of using your hard-learned expertise to department out by yourself, take somewhat further work, strive one thing completely different, and maybe even construct your individual enterprise.
It’s a gorgeous concept. However how do you get there?
In case you’re contemplating bringing in some further revenue, a aspect gig is a superb solution to complement your wage. However what are your choices? Must you go freelance or take the entrepreneurial route?
This text will discover the variations and similarities between a freelancer vs entrepreneur, the professionals and cons of every, and deciding which is most fitted in your character and way of life.
What’s a Freelancer?
Put merely, a freelancer sells their skillset to a consumer in change for a payout. They work on their very own schedule, supply their very own shoppers, and do all their very own work for an hourly/day price or a flat undertaking price.
Freelancers are enterprise homeowners, however their enterprise is themselves. A freelancer is a enterprise asset – with out them, the corporate ceases to exist. Being a freelancer is all about constructing your model and promoting your self.
Irrespective of their business, freelancers work independently to supply and full jobs, typically on a short-term foundation, and make the most of their skillset to provide high-quality work.
For instance, an skilled programmer working for a tech firm could supply their companies as a freelancer on the aspect of their full-time job. To get began, they’d construct an inventory of shoppers, select a pay scale that matches their ability stage, and set a schedule that works for them.
What’s an Entrepreneur?
An entrepreneur mindset requires constructing a enterprise that grows larger than the entrepreneur themselves. This implies making a long-term asset with scalable revenue potential that earns cash even because the entrepreneur sleeps.

Entrepreneurs work much less on strengthening their particular person expertise and extra on creating a enterprise. At first, an entrepreneur could be hands-on, however because the enterprise grows, the purpose is to rent and delegate to staff, automate duties, and develop right into a worthwhile firm.
To return to the programmer instance, a contract programmer may finally begin their very own software program enterprise. Utilizing their data and expertise, they could code and promote a bit of software program to firms. This will require using workers, securing workplace area, and investing in extra companies like advertising.
Is There Some Crossover?
Sure! There are levels of freelancing that may bridge the hole between worker and entrepreneur.
Some freelancers are unbiased contractors who work for a single firm. They nonetheless have a number of the freedom of freelancing, however they function virtually like staff.
Then there are freelancers who function like entrepreneurs. Just lately, solopreneur has gained recognition as a time period for entrepreneurship freelancing, referring to an individual who runs a a lot bigger enterprise by themselves.
To belabor our programmer instance, a solopreneur may construct a bit of software program to promote to firms however handle each facet of that enterprise alone – no staff, no workplace area, simply the varied development and revenue advantages of entrepreneurship.
Freelancing can bridge the hole between leaving your day job and changing into a fully-fledged entrepreneur. Think about it a scale: you possibly can plan to function on whichever a part of it really works finest for you.



That stated, there’s one important distinction. In case you’re making an attempt to determine whether or not you’re a freelancer or an entrepreneur, ask your self this: Does my enterprise nonetheless earn a living with out me?
If the reply is sure, you’re an entrepreneur. A freelancer can’t earn a living in the event that they’re not producing work.
Professionals and Cons: Freelancer Vs Entrepreneur
Let’s have a look at a number of the professionals and cons of every.
Freelancer
Professionals | Cons |
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Simple to get going: Since you’re a one-person enterprise, the barrier to entry is low. In case you have a ability that individuals wish to purchase, you possibly can promote it – it’s so simple as that. | You’re nonetheless working for another person: Freelancing provides lots of private freedom, however you’re nonetheless finally working for others. You may discover the work boring and meaningless. |
Low start-up prices: You don’t want important investments. | Discovering shoppers: You might be chargeable for discovering shoppers prepared to pay your charges. |
Decrease ongoing investments: The one stuff you’re investing in as a freelancer are your expertise and no matter gear it’s essential to function. | Much less scalable revenue: You solely have a lot time and power, which suggests you possibly can solely accomplish that a lot work in a day. Your revenue can develop together with your expertise and consumer base, however solely to a finite stage. |
Faster revenue technology: You can begin working as quickly as you discover shoppers. As soon as the work is full, you receives a commission! | Much less future proof: Many freelancers discover their expertise much less beneficial as expertise improves. Furthermore, in case you can not work anymore for any cause, your model is not going to survive with out you. |
Potential for UX enchancment: As a freelancer, you will have the chance to instantly incorporate UX enchancment in your work, guaranteeing that your shoppers obtain high-quality and user-friendly options. |
Entrepreneur
Professionals | Cons |
---|---|
You’re employed for your self: You’ve got the last word selection. You’ll be able to construct one thing you care deeply about, give attention to stuff you’re enthusiastic about, and develop in whichever course you need. | Will be daunting: An entrepreneur has the world on their shoulders from day one. The choice to construct a enterprise might be intimidating. |
Infinitely scalable revenue: The incomes potential is big since your income scale together with your development. | Sluggish revenue technology: Many companies take time to grow to be profitable. |
Earn even while you’re not working: Earnings rolls in no matter your presence. You’re incomes at the same time as you sleep or take a trip. | Excessive start-up prices: Capital is required to start out working, which might want hefty financial savings, loans, or taking up buyers. |
Constructing a legacy: Whether or not your finish purpose is a buy-out or an asset to cross right down to future generations, you’re constructing one thing larger than your self. | Excessive ongoing funding prices: Rising a enterprise requires long-term funding. Employees, property, coaching, and upkeep are ongoing bills. |
Which is Proper for You?
Whether or not you grow to be a freelancer or entrepreneur, selecting the best path depends on understanding what you wish to obtain and the way your work setup will suit your way of life.
What Are My Targets?
It’d sound philosophical, however what are you making an attempt to create? One thing only for you? Or one thing larger than your self?
Finally, both path means changing into self-employed, and meaning onerous work forward.



A freelancer will get to decide on their stage of dedication, which might be engaging while you’re beginning out.
They’ll function on numerous ranges, from spending a couple of hours a weekend doing a few further aspect jobs to being a solopreneur. The revenue potential is excessive however can also be hindered by your individual time and power.
Then again, an entrepreneur goals for the large time, which is usually a daunting however rewarding leap. The revenue potential is huge, and the property are lasting.
What’s My Way of life?
What sort of particular person are you? Which way of life do you will have or wish to have?
A single mum or dad of two younger youngsters may make a unprecedented entrepreneur who can go away a legacy for future generations. However childcare prices and household time are going to be a heavy consideration.
A freelancer may select work-life steadiness over revenue and solely tackle an quantity of labor to help themselves comfortably. Or they could push themselves onerous for greater earnings, getting little downtime.
What Are My Abilities?
Freelancers should think about the first expertise they’re promoting, whether or not that’s programming or net design. However entrepreneurs want to mix their sensible expertise with the power to run a enterprise efficiently.
Are you good at administration? Or do you favor solely to be chargeable for your self?
The place am I Beginning From?
Freelancers and entrepreneurs alike have some start-up necessities. They each want expertise, time, gear, and shoppers.
Think about your beginning off level. Do you’re employed within the business you intend to do enterprise in? If that’s the case, you may have already got the connections and expertise it’s essential to get going.
Do you will have lots of beginning capital? Then entrepreneurship could be best for you.
To Sum Up
Freelancing and entrepreneurship aren’t for everybody. However they’re a viable different to working a day job or making some aspect revenue.
In case your final purpose is private and monetary freedom, working for your self might be your dream job.
And the very best factor is, you don’t at all times have to decide on one or the opposite. There may be lots of room to experiment and develop.
In case you’re planning to construct an organization and grow to be an entrepreneur, freelancing is usually a important first step. You need to use the sliding scale of freelancing to construct your expertise to a excessive stage, create connections, and develop your confidence right into a fully-fledged enterprise.
Searching for a very good place to start? Seek for leads at SolidGigs and kickstart your freelance journey.
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