Freelance Confidential - Amanda Hackwith [28]
Another online skill that is worth working on is communication. Even basic things like how you write your emails can make a huge difference in how often you win jobs, how smoothly projects go, and how happy your clients are. The more remote and online your freelance work is, the more important this aspect gets.
AH Successful entrepreneurs and freelancers will often reach a plateau in their business projects, yet you seem to release a new site or endeavor every week! What's your secret?
CT Oh yes, we do love making new sites! I'm not sure if anyone in business would ever recommend doing so many different things or diversifying so greatly, but it seems to work for Envato. For me, it's really about how exciting it all is. I work hard because I love my work, and I love my work when it's exciting and stimulating. For me that means trying new things, looking at different businesses and launching new projects. I can't always say they are all a huge success, but I can say that it's always fun making them!
AH Any predictions for 2011? Advice for experienced freelancers looking to grow their business?
CT I think the best thing freelancers can do in 2011 to grow their businesses is to work on their online presence. I think devoting a portion of your time to working on your personal brand will yield huge rewards.
If I were to start a freelance business today under an unknown name, the first thing I would do is create an online persona for myself. That would mean a brand, a professional photograph, a web portfolio, profiles on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and so on, a blog with biweekly updates, and accounts to participate in a couple of online communities such as Forrst. Then I'd start chasing down leads by networking with people online, hitting job boards and of course mining my personal contacts.
I think that freelancers with a strong, personal brand online stand a much greater chance of exposing themselves to new clients and winning new work. And I think 2011 will continue to offer more and more tools for freelancers to do just that.
AH Thanks, Collis!
Freelance Survey Results
For your convenience, I've provided an overview of general results from both the 2007 and 2010 Global Freelancer Survey. Please note that where a question was asked for the first time in the 2010 survey, results from 2007 were not available. I hope you find them useful, enjoy!
Are you male or female?
What continent do you reside in?
How would you describe where you live?
Work Experience
Where did you receive your primary training?
What profession are you primarily in?
2007
2010
Do you freelance full time?
On average, how many hours do you freelance per week?
How long have you been freelancing?
2007
2010
How many years did you work as an employee?
2007
2010
Do you work more or fewer hours than you did as a full time employee?
2007 — Do you work more hours as a freelancer than you did as a full-time employee in your industry?
2010
Note: In the 2010 survey, respondents were only asked this question if they had previously indicated they had previously worked as a full-time employee.
On average, where do you complete most of your work?
2007
2010
Please rate your level of experience.
Clients and Projects
Where do you find work?
2007
2010
2007 & 2010
What percentage of clients are in a different country than you?
How do you initially discuss price with clients?
2007 — Do you provide estimates or fixed quotes for jobs?
2010 — How do you initially discuss price with clients?
On average, what percent of hours worked do you bill clients per week?
Income and Compensation
What is your gross income per year?
Overall Average Full-time freelancers Part-time freelancers
What is your net income per year?
Overall Average Full-time freelancers Part-time freelancers
Additional Income Statistics
What is your estimated hourly rate?
Hourly Rate by Profession
Hourly Rate by Experience