Today’s digital possibilities and potential clients’ often project-based needs give solopreneurs and freelancers good prospects for success. They also enjoy the freedom of working independently and from any location. Perhaps one of these business models could be an attractive alternative to employment for you.
Freelancers: experts for a limited time
Whether in programming, design, marketing or engineering, freelancers work for clients on projects or for set periods. They acquire assignments from many different industries. Their product is their working time.
Solopreneurs: success with their own products
Unlike freelancers, solopreneurs have a scalable business model and sell the results of their work, their own products or projects. These might be software-based solutions they have developed themselves, for example to advance sustainability in companies.
Digital teams and worldwide reach
The terms freelancer and solopreneur are often used interchangeably. The distinction is not always clear, as freelancers can develop into solopreneurs, for example. In general, both bring extensive specialist knowledge and the freedom to work independently. Through numerous networks, they often form project-based teams without giving up their independence. Location is immaterial: in principle, they can gain clients worldwide.
Using the German term ‘Freiberufler’ as a synonym for these forms of self-employment is misleading, because German tax law makes important distinctions between a liberal profession and a trade or business. Read our article ‘Liberal profession vs. trade’. Commercial businesses, which usually include freelancers and solopreneurs, must register with the trade office. Solopreneur and freelancer are not legal forms of a company.
