#55: What's the Difference Between a Freelancer, a Consultant, & a Fractional Leader?
A helpful lexicon for the self-employed curious. Plus, the best of summer 2024 recs!
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What's the Difference Between a Freelancer, a Consultant, & a Fractional Leader?
For the recently laid off and/or self-employed curious out there: are you hearing a lot of terms thrown around and you’re not sure exactly what they mean or how to position yourself as one of them? SAME, SAME!
After having a several conversations with fellow LOLers who are entertaining the idea of becoming self-employed, but are confused about how to position their services, I thought it would be beneficial to define and differentiate some of these self-employment buzz words (both for those hiring and those who want to be hired).
Take notes because this is how you’re going to make money while you’re job searching, PIVOTING, or committing to that self-employed life. Wheee! Here we go with a breakdown.
Freelancer: Think of a freelancer as a hired gun for specific tasks or projects. They're independent workers brought in to handle things like graphic design, writing, programming, production—basically, anything you need done quickly or on a short-term basis. Freelancers set their own hours, often work remotely, and usually juggle several clients at once.
Consultant: A consultant is someone you bring in for their expertise. They usually assess a situation, give advice, and provide strategies to solve problems. Unlike a freelancer who does the hands-on work, a consultant helps you figure out what needs to be done. They offer guidance but may not necessarily be involved in the execution.
Advisor: An advisor is like a trusted guide, like your own personal Yoda. They provide ongoing support and counsel in a specific area. They’re there to offer insights and help you make informed decisions over time, not just for a one-off project.
Fractional Leader: A fractional leader is a short-term or part-time executive that joins your team. Instead of hiring someone for FTE, you get the benefit of a high-level expert in roles like CEO, CFO, or CMO, but only for a fraction of the time. It’s a great option for businesses that need top-tier leadership but are feeling commitment shy.
Coach: A coach helps you achieve your goals by working with you one-on-one or in groups, offering support, motivation, and personalized strategies. Unlike an advisor, a coach focuses more on your personal and professional growth, guiding you through challenges and keeping you accountable. Think of them as your personal hype person, helping you move from point A to point B with confidence.
Founder: A founder is the person (or people) who start a company. They’re the ones who came up with the idea and took the first steps to make it a reality. Every founder is an entrepreneur, but not all entrepreneurs are founders (some buy or take over businesses).
Solopreneur: A solopreneur is like an entrepreneur, but they do everything themselves. No team, no partners—it’s a one-person band. They manage the business from top to bottom, whether it’s a freelance gig, an online store, or a consulting business.
Principal: A principal is often the lead or main person in a business, especially in smaller companies or partnerships. This term is used for people who hold a significant ownership stake and have a leadership role. They’re basically the big decision-maker in the company.
I hope this was a helpful lexicon to start getting your self-employmenting thoughts organized. If you want to provide any more color, drop your thoughts in the comments.
Worthy Time Wasters: The Summer 2024 Superlatives
Here are my recs to combat doom scrolling.
Summer’s not over YET. Here were some of my faves of the season:
📺 Television
Scripted
The Bear - Possibly my favorite show of all time?
Hotel Portifino -An old-timey mystery-ish set at a lovely summer getaway in Italy right after WWI.
Extraordinary - An LOL 20-something drama with a SCI-FI twist.
Bad Monkey - A murder(?) mystery set in the Florida Keys and vehicle for Vince Vaughn’s comeback.
House of the Dragon - Not as good as Season 1 but had to follow that dragon war life.
Emily in Paris - Frothy and fizzy in the way we all needed it to be. Part 2 of the latest season drops in early Sept.
My Lady Jane - If “Bridgerton” and the “Princess Bride” had a baby. And now it’s canceled. So, enjoy that one season.
We Are Ladyparts - A comedy about an all-female, Muslim punk rock band trying to make a name for themselves in London’s underground music scene. Need I say more?
Under the Bridge - This season’s best of scripted true crime.
UnREAL - I never watched this show when it was actually on the air. Thank you, Netflix for giving this behind-the-scenes of reality TV scripted drama an extended life.
Non-fiction
Love Island -It kind of made me mentally unwell, but I would watch those 37 episodes all over again.
Couples Therapy -A show I still think about all the time.
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders - This docuseries of the the cult (yes, I’m calling it a cult) of the DCC organization kept me “fueled” this summer.
Below Deck Med - Yes, yes, yes! (imagine me saying this in a thick Australian accent, so it sounds more like YIS, YIS, YIS.
Chimp Crazy - The latest from the producer of “Tiger King” has the potential to be even better and we’re only a couple of episodes in. Cue missing chimpanzee mystery.
🎥 Movies
Jackpot! - I’m officially convinced that John Cena is one of the greatest comedy actors of our time.
The Idea of You - Hate watched and would do it again.
A Family Affair - Also hate watched. Would not do it again.
Tell Them You Love Me - I have no words to describe this documentary. You just have to watch it and we can discuss after.
The Greatest Night in Pop - There is actual footage of all the biggest pop stars of the early ‘80s recording “We Are the World” in one night. Shield your eyes. There are so many egos in one room it’s like staring directly at the sun.
📚 Books
All Fours - The definitive female mid-life crisis book by Miranda July.
Margo’s Got Money Troubles - A young, single mother starts an Only Fans account to get by.
I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself - A memoir detailing one middle-aged woman’s pandemic escape to Paris to remember how to experience pleasure of all kinds again.
Ambition Monster - I wrote a whole thing about this book by
. It’s a must-read for anyone questioning their career.Long Island Compromise - The second book from the author of Fleishman Is in Trouble does not disappoint.
Honey - A fictionalized account of a young pop star in the late ‘90s/ early 2000s. Think: Britney or Christina.
The Cliffs - Set in a summer town in Maine, this book has a haunted house, a psychic medium, past lives, secret histories, colonialism, and alcoholism.
I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This - A laugh out loud, cry a little bit memoir from comedian, screenwriter, and podcaster Chelsea Devantez.
🎧 Podcasts
Who Shat on the Floor at my Wedding - I was delighted to discover this non-crime true crime comedy podcast that literally spends 12 episodes investigating the mystery of a shit on the floor at a wedding.
The Case of the Tiny Suitcase - Season 2 from the team that brought you Who Shat on the Floor at my Wedding. This case investigates a tiny suit and suit case left of someone’s veranda, two years apart.
Seeking Center - I’m not just saying this because I was a guest this season. This podcast kept me mentally, emotionally, and spiritually sane this summer.
’s podcast is my go-to for pop culture deep dives on topics like Bennifer and Trad Wives.The Viall Files - Makes the list for its extensive platform for “Love Island” contestants. Trust me, you’ll want to hear the tea after you binge 37 episodes.
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