The Freelance Centre Survey The Freelance Centre was set up to help freelancers, free agents and self-employed consultants to become more effective at marketing themselves to existing and prospective customers and clients. In order to lobby Government and attract media attention to this growing sector of the workforce, we commissioned the first in-depth, qualitative research into the attitudes and behaviours of 400 freelancers in different industries. It included the opinions and views of self-employed therapists, accountants, carpenters, plumbers, writers, researchers, TV producers, directors and advisory consultants. The overwhelming majority of freelancers, consultants and business owner/managers questioned generate the greatest proportion of their business through personal contact and referral – this is perhaps unsurprising. But what is surprising is that a large proportion of these respondents choose to rely upon the contacts and referrals as their sole ‘marketing’ tool. But are those who choose to leave their income and livelihood to ‘word of mouth’ and chance ‘referrals’ investing time in networking and building a referral system? Many freelancers find it difficult to market concurrently while working – this applies particularly to those who work intensively, sometimes abroad, for 4-6 months on one particular project. But time is not the only factor – resistant to selling and marketing – some hold the belief that it undermines the integrity of their work, others find rejection or personal dissociation with rejection difficult – others are unaccustomed to blowing their own trumpet. Survey Summary Freelancers are talented, resourceful flexible individuals, not deadwood that has been chopped off the corporate tree. Most individuals choose to be freelance. For the majority becoming freelance is a conscious act of free will, a rebellion against the limitations of salaried employment or a path way to improving their quality of life. However, "contract workers" seem to be finding some aspects of the "freelance life-style" difficult. Unlike freelancers who become self-employed following redundancy or through choice, contract workers are less likely to see the change in their contractual relationships as an opportunity to improve or diversify. 76% of contract workers felt their long-term financial future was less favourable than they perceived as achievable through salaried employment. A positive choice and destination 76% of all respondents agreed that the quality of their life has improved significantly since becoming self employed. 69% of respondents who became freelance following redundancy say that the quality of their lives had improved significantly since becoming self-employed 63% of respondents became freelance by choice. The top 5 reasons for becoming a freelance are:
Becoming a portfolio worker is the best way to significantly improve the quality of your life 95% of those questioned agreed with the statement. Portfolio workers are significantly more confident or able to take holidays and only 5% of portfolio workers stated aspects of "functioning as a one person business" as one of their major problems or challenges. Freelancers under the age of 35 no longer accept the traditional corporate path as the best route for career development. A significant proportion 64% believe freelance self-employment offers better career progression. The Modern freelancer 72% of Freelance respondents offer their prospective clients over 11 years experience and expertise in the chosen trade or profession. 71% reject the conventional view that they are, or function as a 'solo-worker' 87% of freelancers own a personal computer for business and professional purposes. 83% of those owning a computer said it was either essential or an important business or work tool. 87% work from home 40% have between 1-5 active customers or commissions 57% have upwards of 5 69% of freelancers belong to one or more professional organisations or associations. Earnings 18% of male and female respondent perceive their earnings to be significantly above those they might receive in a comparable job. Of the freelancers able to make a comparison of their annual earnings with individuals in comparable salaried jobs, 40% believe they earn significantly more than if they were in a comparable salaried position. 21% of those making a comparison felt they earned about the same. Unlike their salaried counterparts the chances of freelance women being high or low paid are equal for both sexes. Hours 43% stated they work a greater number of hours as a freelancer than they did in their last salaried position. Of those working longer hours 47% stated they did so by choice. 54% stated they either worked the same number of hours or less. Of those working fewer hours than in their last salaried job 77% stated they did so by choice. Overall, 52% of freelancers agreed with the notion their "annual leave" is curtailed to some extent. Getting work On average people use 2.8 marketing methods. Getting Paid 61% of freelancers stated that over 70% of their invoices are paid on time.18% freelancers experience critical levels of late payment whereby 30% or less of their invoices are paid on time. Problems and Challenges The top five problems and challenges faced by freelancers are: 1. Dealing with an inconsistent flow of work 2. Time Pressures 3. Attracting Customers 4. Functioning as a one person business 5. Specific Marketing Problems Comparison With Salaried Employment Earnings 67% felt freelancing was likely to yield a higher level of remuneration. 81% of all respondents felt it was either likely to yield a higher income level or remain roughly comparable to salaried employment Stress Only 30% of individuals find freelancing more stressful than salaried employment. 64% of freelancers agreed that freelancing is far less stressful due to the absence of office politics. Equal Opportunities Only 10% of freelancers feel that the absence of employment and anti- discrimination legislation affects them negatively. 45% believe they are better off without them, the remainder think their absence makes little real difference. Social Interaction 48% of freelancers believe that self-employment provides less favourable opportunities for social interaction than they may have enjoyed in salaried employment. However, only 7% of freelancers mentioned isolation as a major problem or challenge they face. Long-term financial security 47% of male respondents, and 39% of female respondents thought self employment was either a more favourable option or offered no more or less of a guarantee than salaried employment. Over 65% of portfolio workers who engage in two or more distinct skill and employment areas, 58% of corporate/ business consultants stated that their long-term financial prospect were either more favourable or comparable to salaried employment. Trade Unions and Professional Bodies The distinct impression given by many organisations was that freelancing is a seen as a last resort - a way of working that people adopted between or on top of their "proper jobs", or something forced on workers against their wishes in specific industries. Trade Unions fail to acknowledge that many individuals choose freelance self -employment . Their staff fight hard to keep freelance and contract work to the minimum amongst their membership. Elsewhere, freelancing is seen as integral to the industry or profession and the services provided cater to varying degrees to the needs of freelance workers. Freelance working is now commonplace. The results of this survey will no doubt shock many employers, employees and trade unions who mistakenly believe freelancing is either a fad, a last resort, or a precarious route. A great many difficulties which freelancers encounter are due to the lack of structures, policies and facilities which are congruent with this way of working. The survey addresses these key questions -
The survey offers you detailed and valuable insights into:
Its 140 pages are packed with the comments and opinions of individual freelancers, illustrating the pluses and perils of functioning as a "one person business". More than a collection of anecdotes, the survey data was verified and analysed using SPSS by a trained statistician - providing you with the first, and at present only, accurate picture of freelance self-employment. Who will benefit most from studying this report?
If you would like to benefit from the experiences of these 400 freelancers, we can send you a full copy of the survey. Normally it is priced at £29.95, but for individuals who order it via this website, we can supply it for £15.95 including FREE postage and packing to any address in the world. This does not include PO Boxes (sorry!). How can we do this? Well, the cost of sale via the internet is so much less than sales we receive via conventional advertising in newspapers and magazines. We haven't paid to find you - you found us, so it's only fair that you benefit from that. To order your Survey, please copy and fax back this Order form with your credit card details. The Survey will be sent to you by return of post. Return to previous page Return to home page |
