Hacker News Reader

UK, software engineering.

Don't call yourself a freelancer. You're a consultant who helps your clients to improve their businesses.

Price accordingly, then over successive engagements, raise prices. As long as you can demonstrate the value, good clients are happy to pay. You don't want the not-good clients.

"A freelancer or freelance worker, is a term commonly used for a person who is self-employed and is not necessarily committed to a particular employer long-term. Freelance workers are sometimes represented by a company or a temporary agency that resells freelance labor to clients; others work independently or use professional associations or websites to get work."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freelancer

Can you explain how this definition differs from yours?

I think their point isn't that the terms are incorrect but that the word freelancer is undervalued by respective clients versus consultant/contractor. Similar to how if you say you are moonlighting, people will take you less seriously regardless of actual skill.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com