In my career as a freelancer, I’ve never really felt like I was particularly “in-demand.” I mean, I’ve rarely struggled for work but I’ve rarely been in a situation where I’m fighting it off with a stick either.
According to a new survey from PeoplePerHour, however, that might all be about to change. The research seems to suggest that employers will be focusing on quality over cost in the race for skill and experience.
84% of the 450 businesses surveyed believe freelancers can make a positive difference to their business, with nearly half (45%) more focused on quality than cost when hiring. A fifth (20%) even went as far as saying they would pay “whatever rate it takes” to get the best person for the job.
As a freelancer myself, this is excellent news but I have to wonder how much truth there is in it.
Attitudes are shifting
I’ve already written about how 2022 might be the year that freelancers finally get taken seriously. Because while we might once have been considered little more than a last-minute stopgap the pandemic has catalysed an increasing acceptance of the value freelancers bring. This means we’re seeing more clients focusing on the quality of the work they can get, rather than treating it as a way to cut costs.
For a ‘senior’ content creator such as myself, this sounds wonderful but it appears there are only certain kinds of freelancers enjoying such an Indian summer. Writers are not one of them.
PeoplePerHour’s platform data, for example, suggests a freelancer boom in areas such as Growth Hacking (2050%), Influencer Marketing (1618%), Content Marketing (985%), and Instagram Marketing (1109%). My theory is that there isn’t necessarily a massive rise in demand for freelancers but for the industries, sectors and platforms that employ or depend on freelancers.
Filling up the talent pool
As we move further into 2022, we will undoubtedly see more sectors being affected by staff shortages as employees start to seek more flexible employment or strive for a greater work-life balance. Many of those leavers become freelancers, so while their departure does leave a gap, it also helps boost a talent pool that businesses can tap into quickly, without disrupting their day-to-day operations.
We’re at a point now where that talent pool is gradually filling but my worry is that proclamations such as those being made by PeoplePerHour might give newcomers unrealistic expectations as to what they can expect from life as a freelancer. Yes, things are better now for us than they ever have been but those first few months are always going to be a grind and you’re going to have to prove yourself.
Just because there is more demand for the top talent doesn’t necessarily mean there’s more demand for all talent.
Finding your niche
The demand for freelance talent is on the rise. That’s undeniable and there are a thousand other think pieces telling you now is the perfect time to get on the bandwagon. But the more freelancers there are, the more the top talent is going to stand out.
My advice then? Choose a niche, perfect it and stick with it. Because in the great freelance boom of 2022, there’s not going to be any room for a jack-of-some-trades.
