Freelance Marketplace Websites‎ define the future of work - are you ready to become a freelancer?

As a freelance writer for more than five years, Odesk had become one of my best virtual employers. I started writing for a fee of as low as $1 per hour until I arrive to a point when it’s no longer about the per hour rate, but my capacity to handle jobs.

What is freelancing?

Many believe that the online freelance marketplace is what brings workers home and have them enjoy their work. But that’s not the reality. First, working at home is not about enjoyment. Second, many freelance marketplace websites are designed to assist freelancers working in the streets and in the neighbourhood.

On the case of TaskRabbit, becoming a “tasker” doesn’t mean that the service is virtual. Your job is in the street next to your apartment. Uber, a crowdsourcing platform for both drivers and commuters, brings the concept of freelancing on city streets. Airbnb combines travel, accommodation and hospitality all in one place. The engine driving these companies is a platform that connects job seekers and job providers, wherever and whenever they want to work.

How to start as a freelancer?

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As you begin to establish your online reputation (by working on projects after projects), you’ll get to realize that you no longer have to place bids or proposals. Clients will be the one to send you invitations for interview. If your skills match the requirements, the project is yours. When more invitations start to come in, that’s a sign that you already need to build a team. This could be the start of you becoming the boss of your own company.

What are the other options for freelancers?

Creating a “gig” at Fiverr combines the concept of classified advertising and freelancing. They named this button “Start Selling” which means selling your services to the service seekers whom can buy the service by clicking “Order Now ($5)”. Rev.com, a technology platform for translators and transcriptionists, is like a vertical market in the freelancing industry. Their only business is to translate and transcribe your audio or video files.

Different business models are also starting to emerge in the freelance marketplace.

MediaBistro is a freelance marketplace that combines job board and freelancing. They offer training courses and host industry conferences and online events for media professionals. Work Market offers cloud-based freelance management systems that help businesses manage their independent contractor and freelance workforce.

What is the future of freelancing?

Based on the 2012 Online Work Survey conducted by Odesk, 94% of businesses agree that “in ten years, the majority of the businesses will have blended teams of online/on-premise workers”. The 2013 Global Employment Report from Elance indicated that the most in-demand global skills are in the areas of finance & management, sales & marketing, and engineering & manufacturing. The 2014 U.S. Employment Report, also from Elance, revealed that 62,000 new US freelance jobs were created, a 33% increase compared to the previous year.

Is freelancing the right job for you?

The so-called “crowd economy” and “contingent workforce” which are consisting of freelancers, independent professionals, and temporary contract workers continue to grow. There are other clear indications that freelancing will soon become the future of work. If you’re ready to join the crowd and the new workforce, then this career is for you.

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