It’s a fair question to ask, and many freelancers will often be consultants as well. It’s not like you’re one thing or the other. I myself am both a consultant and a freelancer, and it purely depends on the project I’m working on.
The main difference between being a freelancer and being a consultant is that a consultant is advising with their expertise on a project and sometimes building the project plan. Where a freelancer is the one carrying out the plan and executing it, you can easily be both. It depends on the specific project.
Even though I see myself as a freelancer, then I’ve been working on projects where I was only called in to give my opinion on a project plan or a solution to a specific problem but not work on executing the actual problem. In this case, I use my expert knowledge as a consultant.
What Is The Definition Of A Consultant?
As a consultant, your primary assignment is to share your knowledge on how to solve a problem case. You don’t have to execute. You simply have to share your knowledge and often make a plan as well.
It’s essential as a consultant to differentiate between executing and planning. Sometimes as a consultant, you can be pulled into a project to just spend 2-3 hours on looking through an already made plan, just to give your opinion on what you would do differently, if anything.
As a consultant, you often attract high-profile clients who want the best people in each area. They understand that we’re not the best at everything. As a consultant, you’re extremely good at one thing, and then you do other things well.
Whereas companies with lower budgets want an all-around person who can help both with advising and executing. A mix between a freelancer and a consultant.
What Is The Definition Of A Freelancer?
Being a freelancer is all about execution. You will be pulled into a project or a problem you need to solve, and it’s up to you to figure out how to solve it.
You might have a plan made by a consultant or an in-house person from the company, but it’s still up to you to take that plan and make it a reality.
Sometimes it can feel like a lot of pressure, but remember, you’re not alone just because you’re hired as one person. Reach out and ask for help as a freelancer; it’s the best you can do for yourself.
Ready to improve your freelance career?
I’m sharing tips and guides every week on freelancing based on my own experience. Sign up today. 👇
Are You A Freelancer Or A Consultant?
It’s so easy just to write: well, it depends. But in the end, you need to make up with yourself if you want to pursue consultant opportunities or if you want to be the executor.
We’re all different, and we all like to work in different areas. That’s what makes this world so beautiful. I love executing tasks and taking a plan, and making it into reality. That’s why I see myself as a freelancer.
That said, I still consult on projects where I don’t do any heavy lifting. I simply just share my point of view on a problem a company wants to solve, or I help them make a plan on how to solve it, so they can go out and hire the right person for it.
So you need to ask yourself, do you want to be the one doing the work upfront and planning the entire project? Or do you want to be the one taking the plan and making it into reality?
Conclusion
Some ask if it really depends on what you title yourself, and it really does. If you pursue high-end clients, then it’s essential you show what you’re specialised in, and if you’re specialised in executing or advising as a consultant.
Don’t be afraid to state it in public. Companies want experts, not generalists, and in the end, you’ll be much happier as you’ll only be working with what you want to work with.
Whether it’s planning the project as a consultant or executing the project via the plan conducted by a consultant.
FAQ
Can a freelancer be a consultant?
Yes, absolutely. As long as you’re advising and sharing your expert knowledge with your client or as a pro-bono. Then you, as a freelancer, can easily name yourself a consultant.
Can I call myself a consultant?
Absolutely, as long as you share your expert knowledge. That’s what it’s all about being a consultant. You’ll often work with freelancers and contractors to oversee projects to ensure they follow a plan you have consulted on.
What is the difference between freelance and contractor and consultant?
A consultant, freelancer and contractor often work together. A consultant is the one drafting up the project and advising on the plan, whereas the freelancer and contractor are the ones executing the plan.
What is the difference between freelance and independent?
A freelancer often works on an hourly basis and has multiple clients at the same time. They can also work on a project basis. Wheres independent and often work on larger projects as their project contracts are much longer.
