The Differences Between a Freelancer and a Solopreneur

Being a freelancer is incredible and truly challenging, but it’s quite rewarding. After spending few years teaching English in a college, I took the leap and became a freelancer, and I haven’t regretted it for a second.

When I made the switch to consider freelancing, I knew deep down that I wanted to pursue a career in web design.

However, I faced a crucial decision: should I become a freelancer or start my own journey as a solopreneur?

Both paths are well-suited for web design, but there’s often confusion regarding the distinctions between the two. And it’s the reason for this blog post, to detail the difference between a freelancer and a solopreneur.

The Website Design Freelancer

There is this allure, this magical aura surrounding website design freelancing. You envision yourself sitting at home, blissfully maybe pantless, working on projects that ignite your passion, all while being the boss of your own domain. But let me tell you, the reality is a tad different.

This is because as a freelancer, you don’t always have the luxury of working on your dream projects. You may be a designer, a developer, or a content creator, but the truth is, your time is often dictated by your clients.

They’re not exactly your boss, but they hold the key to your financial stability. So while you do work for yourself, you can’t call all the shots when it comes to a project.

Now, don’t get me wrong, freelancing does come with a truckload of freedom. You get to choose your clients and projects, and even where you want to work from.

But at the end of the day, you’re essentially a hired gun, doing someone else’s bidding. You’re a contractor, a developer for hire, a web design mercenary.

Being a freelancer means you’re self-employed, but it doesn’t mean you’re entirely independent. Your livelihood depends on others, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Collaborating closely with clients builds professional relationships, forges friendships, and opens doors for growth and learning. In my time as a freelancer, my skill set and network have expanded far more than they did during my years at the university.

As an introvert, freelancing is a dream come true because their physical and constant interaction with superiors. To me, this is invigorating, fueling my energy and enthusiasm to go extra more.

So yes, being a web design freelancer is a rollercoaster ride. It’s not always about pantslessness and complete autonomy.

But the opportunities for growth and the sense of fulfillment that comes from working on diverse projects and connecting with clients make it an incredible choice for those who crave both freedom and collaboration.

The Website Design Solopreneur

Let’s talk about the exciting world of the website design solopreneur. Trust me, it’s even better than being a regular freelancer.

Read on to understand me. As a solopreneur, you have the freedom to set your own hours, cherry-pick the projects you love, and best of all, you don’t have to deal with finding and negotiating with clients every now and then.

Now, here’s the big difference between a freelancer and a solopreneur: as a solopreneur, you are the business itself, while a freelancer works for someone else’s business.

But here’s the thing: while the solopreneur life may seem like a dream come true, the reality is, it’s a lot more challenging than freelancing.

It’s true, a freelancer might be hired to recreate a flawless CSS version of a design provided by SuperDraft for instance, and that’s their primary focus.

Website designers code, tweak, and make sure everything matches SuperDraft’s vision, and then they get paid.

On the other hand, the solopreneur is like SuperDraft itself. They not only design and code the pixel-perfect CSS, but also handle the entire process from staging to production.

They take charge of marketing and PR to attract visitors to the new site, and even deal with customer service issues and bugs that come up. All of this while managing the day-to-day operations of SuperDraft’s business.

There are plenty of incredibly talented solopreneurs out there who are perfectly cut out for this kind of work.

They possess a wide range of skills, they’re are self-motivated, disciplined, and highly driven. They have brilliant ideas and know precisely how to bring them to life.

As solopreneurs, they still enjoy the perks of freelancing, such as choosing their work location and projects.

They also have the added advantage of being independent and answering to no one but themselves. It’s the best of both worlds, really.

A solopreneur is not an Entrepreneur

 Let’s briefly talk about solopreneurship and how it’s different from entrepreneurship. I mean, when you start your own business, whether you’re the only one working or not, that’s entrepreneurship, right? Well… not exactly.

It’s true many entrepreneurs venture out on their own to kick start their companies. But here’s the thing: they don’t plan on flying solo forever.

They don’t see themselves as the sole entity driving the business. Their vision is to grow the company into something bigger than themselves, something that thrives independently. 

Take Aliko Dangote, the founder of Dangote Group of Companies, who is presently the richest man in Africa, for example.

He didn’t start the company with the idea of personally designing, developing, and marketing every single product. His goal was to foster a community around those products.

Entrepreneurship revolves around company growth and expansion. You strive to bring together a dream team that creates outstanding products or services.

On the other hand, solopreneurship is all about nurturing your own ideas and doing absolutely everything in your power to make them successful. You’re not focused on building a team; you’re focused on building a better version of yourself.

Similarities Between a Freelancer and a Solopreneur

Let me tell you about the similarities, regardless of whether you become a freelancer or a solopreneur.

One thing is certain to both of them: you’ll be your own boss, and that’s pretty awesome. But with that comes the not-so-fun part of dealing with taxes and health insurance all on your own.

Paying taxes as a self-employed person is not exactly a party, and don’t get me started on handling health insurance solo.

No matter which path you choose, you’re essentially running a one-person show. It’s like being a sole-proprietor or an individual entity in the business world.

But let me warn you, there can be some tricky tax and business legal stuff to navigate, depending on where you live. Make sure you do your research to know what to expect.

Now, let’s talk about time. Look, time management is everything. Whether you’re a freelancer or a solopreneur, your time, energy, and space will be consumed.

Seriously, it’s a juggling act. If you don’t master time management, you’ll find yourself working non-stop – weekends, nights, holidays, you name it.

Your social life and family time may start to suffer. It’s important to remember to take some time to disconnect and recharge.

Believe me, burnout is a real thing, and it can be tough to cope with. As a freelancer, I find it a bit easier to take breaks, but even solopreneurs need to learn to switch off.

I had to set aside my side-hustles because my focus shifted to clients and finding new ones. Solopreneurs face a similar dilemma; they have to choose their core business idea and resist getting distracted by every shiny new opportunity that comes along.

Now, let’s talk about money – a topic that always grabs our attention. As a freelancer, I’ve been lucky not to encounter clients who don’t pay up, but it’s a risk I know I’ll face eventually.

Freelancers live off invoice due dates, crossing their fingers that clients will pay on time. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don’t, and that’s when having a good lawyer becomes crucial. Again, this is only applicable in some region.

Here’s the deal – working for yourself means no regular paycheck. It’s all about budgeting and creating a financial safety net. You never know when a dry spell might hit, so being prepared is essential.

So, this is it, the nitty-gritty of being a freelancer or a solopreneur. It’s not always a walk in the park, but it’s an adventure worth taking. Just be ready for the challenges, embrace the freedom, and make the most of this incredible journey.

Now, let’s dive into the differences between freelancers and solopreneurs. While these paths share similarities, they do diverge at certain points.

The Difference Between a Freelancer and Solopreneur

When it comes to subcontracting and outsourcing, solopreneurs possess the skills and capabilities to handle all aspects of their businesses.

They’re the jack-of-all-trades, taking care of sales, marketing, design, customer service, and accounting. However, there are occasions when time constraints or limited resources make it necessary for solopreneurs to seek external help.

They might hire a freelancer for a specific project or engage temporary assistance or interns for short periods. Though, they must tread cautiously since these additional costs eat into their own profits.

On the other hand, freelancers subcontract in a different manner. Let’s say a freelancer takes on a project from a client like SuperDraft to develop the next groundbreaking app.

 And the freelancer lacks the expertise in this specific area, he subcontracts a developer and work closely with him to code the software. The freelancer then includes the subcontractor’s payment in the invoice issued to SuperDraft.

Ultimately, the freelancer doesn’t bear any financial burden, while a solopreneur would.

Another significant difference lies in the number of hats worn by each role. As a freelancer, you typically specialize in one area.

Whether it’s web design, SEO or back-end development, you excel in your chosen field. You may work with multiple clients, but the core skill you provide remains consistent.

Perhaps you’re known for your logo design expertise or your knack for creating unique typography. You’ve got your niche, and you own it. Different clients, same hat.

Meanwhile, solopreneurs don’t have the luxury of focusing on just one thing. They must possess a variety of skills, or at the very least, be competent in multiple areas to keep their business afloat.

On any given day, they might have to play the roles of a sales manager, marketing director, spokesperson, and even HR personnel. The immediate needs of the business dictate which hat they wear at any given moment.

One distinctive advantage that solopreneurs have over freelancers is their ability to avoid payment delays.

Solopreneurs, like bloggers for instance, have the advantage of receiving payments from advertising companies who use their blogs or websites for advertisement, on predetermined dates. 

Other types of solopreneurs like SEO experts, also enjoy similar payment structures, unlike freelancers who may encounter delays from clients.

Freelancers and solopreneurs have their own unique paths. Understanding the differences between the two can help individuals make informed decisions about which route best aligns with their goals and aspirations.

The Structure of Freelancing and Solopreneurship

Being a solopreneur means wearing multiple hats, and that affects how your days look. As a freelancer, you’ll likely have structured days. Time management plays a big role here too.

You might allocate Mondays for SuperDraft’s website, Tuesdays for billing and admin tasks, and Wednesdays for meetings. You’ll have different deadlines that you’ll prioritize and work on based on their importance and urgency.

It’s certain, there might be occasional emergency calls from clients, but overall, your calendar will give you a good idea of what to expect.

Solopreneurs sometimes have no clue too how their days will unfold. They do everything themselves and are at the mercy of circumstances. You can’t predict that Monday will be all about billing and administration because a huge order for a thousand of your products might need to be shipped.

Or maybe you’ll have to handle a return in the middle of the day. And what if your marketing goes viral and Reddit overwhelms your website? Freelancers don’t have to worry about all of these things; they only deal with what the solopreneur contracts them for.

Which is Best for You, Being a freelancer or a Solopreneur?

That’s not an easy question to answer, and honestly, I can’t answer it for you.

As you’ve seen, being a solopreneur requires a completely different skill set compared to being a freelancer. Neither option is necessarily better than the other, but I would advise you to think carefully before embarking on the solopreneur route.

Burnout and failure rates are high in solopreneurship. 

While not everyone succeeds as a freelancer either, it’s important to know that being a solo website designer carries higher risks than being a freelance website designer.

Solopreneurship is risky, but it also offers the potential for much higher rewards than freelancing. It’s not often that freelancing is considered the more stable option, but in this case, it is.

Regardless of your choice, you’ll be relying on yourself, and ultimately, it’s up to you to know your limits.

Transitioning from Freelancing to Solopreneurship

So, you’re thinking about transitioning from being a freelancer to becoming a solopreneur? That’s awesome!

Let me tell you, solopreneurship isn’t the only path to success. It’s not about one being better than the other—freelancer versus solopreneur.

Some freelancers are perfectly contented staying in their freelance zone forever. And guess what? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. It’s totally okay!

But here’s the thing: those who dare to level up, well, they start seeing the world through a different lens. They start seeing opportunities where others might not. It’s like unlocking a whole new level of entrepreneurial vision.

Suddenly, you realize that there are endless possibilities waiting for you out there. You start exploring new territories, trying out different things, and guess what? The resources at your disposal just keep growing.

It’s like having a constantly expanding toolkit, ready for whatever comes your way. And here’s the best part: forming lightweight partnerships becomes a breeze.

You can quickly team up with like-minded individuals and conquer new challenges together.

So, if you’ve ever felt that little entrepreneur inside you whispering, urging you to take the leap, then my friend, it’s time to embrace solopreneurship.

Don’t wait too long. As soon as you get a hang of the day-to-day freelancing grind, start taking conscious steps towards that next level. Level up quickly and become the best version of yourself as a business person.

It’s time to expand your horizons, my friend. So go ahead and accept the challenge of this exciting transition.

Tricks to be a Successful Freelancer or Solopreneur

• Go all-in. Whatever title you choose, own it with confidence! It’s all about your mindset. Practice your elevator pitch, pump yourself up in front of the mirror before making cold calls—do whatever it takes to get in the zone.

• Embrace your true identity. Use the title that describes what you do, not just how you’re employed by your potential clients. Whether it’s “writer,” “artist,” or “software developer,” focus on impressing clients first and iron out the details later. Show them who’s the boss!

• Understand your target market. It’s not about what you call yourself, but what your clients are searching for. Are they typing “freelancer” on Google or using other terms? If you’re unsure, simply ask them. When a new client approaches, inquire about how they found you. It’s as easy as that.

• Stay confident, don’t get defensive. If someone questions your employment status, don’t panic. Avoid backpedaling because that will only raise more questions. Stay composed and explain what you do and, even better, how it benefits them.

• Be consistent. Once you’ve decided on your preferred title, stick with it. While “freelancer,” “solopreneur,” and “self-employed” are somewhat interchangeable, using them all at once only confuses people. Choose your favorite and stick with it.

• Take your business seriously. You’re a professional now, so act like one. When you treat yourself with seriousness, potential clients will follow suit.

Moreover, you’ll set a positive example for other freelancers, solopreneurs, and self-employed workers, helping to debunk negative stereotypes that exist out there.

Remember, confidence, clarity, and professionalism are key to succeeding in the freelance or solopreneurship world.

In conclusion, my fellow freelancers and aspiring solopreneurs, the journey of being your own boss is an exhilarating one, filled with ups and downs, challenges and triumphs.

Whether you choose to walk the path of a freelancer or embark on the adventure of solopreneurship, both have their own set of rewards and hurdles.

As a freelancer, you’ll experience the freedom to choose your clients, projects, and work location. You’ll have the opportunity to expand your skills, network, and professional relationships.

However, you must also navigate the uncertainties of client demands, financial stability, and the constant need to hustle for new projects.

On the other hand, as a solopreneur, you’ll have the autonomy to shape your own business and pursue your unique ideas. You’ll wear multiple hats and take on various responsibilities, from marketing and customer service to accounting and beyond.

While it may be more challenging and require a diverse skill set, solopreneurship offers the potential for greater rewards and the satisfaction of building something truly your own.

Ultimately, the choice between freelancing and solopreneurship depends on your individual goals, aspirations, and comfort with risk.

Both paths require self-discipline, time management, and a passion for your craft. Remember, there’s no right or wrong answer here—just what feels right for you.

So, whether you decide to freelance or take the leap into solopreneurship, embrace the journey wholeheartedly.

Learn from each experience, adapt to the ever-changing landscape, and never stop honing your skills. Stay focused, be resilient, and don’t be afraid to seek support and guidance along the way.

Now, go forth and conquer, my friends. Your destiny as a freelancer or solopreneur awaits, and the possibilities are endless. So, dare to dream big, work hard, and make your mark on your world.