Freelancer – who is it, what do they do, and is it worth becoming one? Freelancing from A to Z!

The work model where you don’t have a boss, don’t go to an office, and set your own rates sounds like a dream? For many people, it’s a daily reality – thanks to freelancing. But before you quit your job and start calling yourself a freelancer, it’s worth understanding what freelancing is and how such work looks in practice. Because although freedom is tempting, reality can be different. In this post, you’ll find not only definitions but also concrete examples of professions, pros, cons, numbers, and strategies. All this so that you can evaluate whether freelancing is the path for you.

Freelancer is not a profession, it’s a choice – what does working “on your own terms” really mean?

Let’s start with the basics. What does freelancer mean? It’s a person who performs work on commission, but is not employed under a contract of employment. They don’t have one boss, one company, or fixed hours. They work on their own account – often literally, as most freelancers run their own businesses or cooperate based on civil law contracts. That’s the theory. In practice, freelancing means juggling multiple roles – specialist, salesperson, client contact, and sometimes accountant. It’s not a path for everyone, but definitely for those who want more control over what they do and how they do it. Freelancing is not a profession – it’s a work style that offers a lot of flexibility but also requires responsibility. So if you’re looking for simple definitions, here it is: a freelancer is someone who consciously chooses independence in professional work.

You work solo, but not just any way – who can be a freelancer and for whom does it really work?

Contrary to appearances, freelancing is not reserved only for graphic designers and copywriters. In fact, anyone offering a specific service and wanting to work independently can be a freelancer – regardless of the industry. You can be a translator, marketing consultant, programmer, photographer, lecturer, lawyer, or even a tax advisor. The key is that you manage your work and decide whom you want to collaborate with. It works best for people with a defined specialization who can “defend” it – whether in a portfolio or in a direct conversation with a client. If you’re wondering, what a freelancer does, the answer is: exactly what they know best and can sell as a service. It’s not a path for everyone, but if you can organize yourself and value flexibility, freelancing offers more possibilities than it may seem.

What does a freelancer do? Graphic designers, copywriters, programmers… but not just that – professions that thrive in freelancing

The list of professions that thrive in the freelance model is growing every year. Of course, the classics are graphic designers, copywriters, SEO specialists, programmers, or web developers. But increasingly, freelancers are seen in less obvious professions – such as social media managers, video editors, customer service, email marketing, and even virtual assistants. There are also freelancers in online education, the fitness industry (e.g., trainers preparing training plans), or UX consultants. 

If you’re wondering what a freelancer does, the answer doesn’t have to be limited to one industry – it’s important that their work can be “remotely commissioned”, and the result can be achieved without physical presence in an office. Much depends on your skills and whether you can build a specific offer around them. The potential is enormous – you just need to know how to use it.

No boss, your own pace, and the freedom of choice – the biggest advantages of freelancing through the eyes of practitioners!

It cannot be denied that one of the biggest draws of freelancing is freedom – temporal, financial, organizational. You work when you want and on what you want. You can accept projects only from clients whom you really like – and reject those that don’t fit your style at all. You have control over rates, schedule, format of collaboration. Some freelancers operate exclusively in their country, others manage clients worldwide. For many people, a huge advantage is also lack of routine – every project is different, allowing you to grow and avoid career boredom. And if you plan your work system well, freelancing becomes a source of stable income – without needing to tie yourself to one place or company. For those who value independence and like to independently plan their activities, it’s a model that really works.

And the catch? Challenges and drawbacks of freelancing rarely discussed openly

Even though freelancing may look like a dream come true from the outside, there is no shortage of challenges that are often not talked about. First and foremost – you have no guaranteed income, so there are better and worse months. Added to this is loneliness in work, lack of a team, difficulties in self-motivation without a set schedule. Many people also struggle with unreliable clients – late payments, endless revisions, unclear expectations. Often, a freelancer must also be their own sales department – this means actively acquiring projects, negotiating, issuing invoices. Sounds like a lot? Because sometimes it is. That’s why freelancing requires a lot of self-discipline, assertiveness, and resilience to uncertainty. It’s not for everyone – and it doesn’t have to be. But if you know what you’re getting into, it’s easier to build a work model that supports your goals rather than hinders them.

Freelancing by numbers – what does this market look like in Poland and worldwide in 2025?

Statistics clearly show that freelancing is gaining strength. In Poland, over 300 thousand people work in this model professionally or semi-professionally, and according to global reports, by 2030 freelancers could make up as much as 50% of the workforce in some countries. In 2025, the average income of freelancers in Poland ranges from 3500 PLN to even 15,000 PLN monthly, depending on the industry, experience, and number of clients. IT, UX/UI, marketing, and online education specialists earn the best. Interestingly, more and more people combine freelancing with full-time jobs or unregistered activities. So, if you are still wondering what freelancing is and whether it’s real – the answer is: yes, very much so. The numbers show that it’s not a passing trend, but a lasting change in the approach to work.

How to start freelancing without chaos – from identifying your skills to landing the first gigs

Starting in freelancing doesn’t have to be synonymous with chaos and randomness. It’s best to start by identifying what you’re good at and what you can offer as a service. It could be something obvious, like writing, designing, or programming, but it could equally be a niche skill – e.g., creating quizzes, research, CV editing, or conducting webinars. Then it’s worth preparing a simple offer, e.g., in PDF format or as a website, and scouting platforms like Useme, Freelancer, Fiverr, or industry groups. You don’t need to start with your own business right away – you can work under a task-specific contract or with the help of platforms that handle formalities. Becoming a freelancer doesn’t happen overnight, but the first gigs can come sooner than you think. The key is not to be afraid to start – and treat it as a process, not a leap into the deep end without a plan.

Is it even worth it? Freelancers’ income, seasonality, and real costs of working for oneself

Money in freelancing is a topic that always arouses emotions. On one hand – freelancers’ earnings can be higher than regular employment, especially in specialized industries. On the other hand – you have to remember that you are responsible for everything: taxes, equipment, software, working hours. Seasonality also plays a part – some industries slow down during vacations, others have downtime in winter. Therefore, it’s important to plan your budget, diversify clients, and save for leaner months. Realistically, with sensible organization, a freelancer’s income can reach 8–12 thousand PLN monthly, and the best exceed 20 thousand PLN – but not immediately. It’s a process where patience, good reputation, and regularly developing skills are important. Is it worth it? Yes – if you like to operate on your own terms and are ready for occasionally solving more than one problem at a time.

Sell your time and knowledge with MeetMe on RefSpace – no office, no website, no complications

If you are a freelancer offering services that can be provided remotely—consultations, mentoring, technical support, analysis, audits, or simply a conversation that helps someone— you can start earning even more easily with RefSpace. The MeetMe feature allows you to  sell your time in the form of paid 1:1 meetings. You set your availability, rate, and duration, and that’s it—clients book a slot and pay upfront, giving you a clear calendar and payment directly to your account.

Importantly, you don’t need a business license. RefSpace handles payments and settlements for you, allowing you to operate legally as an individual and focus purely on what you do best.

You also don’t need a website or forms—on RefSpace, you have a ready-to-go, free profile with a shop that operates 24/7. You can also add other products there, like  checklists, ebooks, templates, or hourly packages. For a freelancer, it’s a convenient tool that not only allows you to earn but also to build your offer and brand in one place—without technical barriers and unnecessary bureaucracy.