In 2016, there were over 50 million freelancers in America. By 2020, 50% of the U.S. workforce will be functioning in a freelance capacity in some way (both full & part-timers). One of the most common is Uber/Lyft drivers. But freelancers appear in many forms. When we had our friends dad come and replace our hot water heater, he was freelancing. This is also called moonlighting.
Freelancers provide entrepreneurs with the ultimate on-demand workforce. Apps & websites are the enablers.
Here's a caution I often share with my clients. If you hire someone to assist you in a creative capacity (i.e. cover design, brochures, logos, illustrations, ghost writing, etc...), be sure you have them sign a work-for-hire agreement before you make final payment.
Here's quick roundup of some popular sites that enable the worldwide freelance movement:
The tax collector is not fond of moonlighting because it often goes as unreported income.
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This on-demand work, instant gig economy is moving more and more into independent professionals that are using mobile and technology to create ecosystems of work they enjoy. Who says you can’t drive an Uber in the morning, design websites all afternoon, and cater your own food company at night? The old economy would lead you to believe that you should pick one job, work hard for the next 40 years at that company, and then retire. Not the new economy. The more diverse your skill set, the more opportunities come your way.