Freelancer Club is 10 years young! It's hard to believe we've been doing this for a decade. The freelance landscape looks a lot different than it did in 2014 and we like to think we had a small part to play. We managed to convince our founder, Matt Dowling, to sit down and reflect on what has been one hell of a ride.

It's official. Freelancing is on fire. More people and companies are hiring freelancers than ever before and there is a genuine opportunity for talented individuals to earn a living or generate extra income from their skills and passion. However, there's a problem and it's a big one that not enough platforms are talking about. One in five freelancers fail within their first year of business and 60% are forced to close their doors within 5 years. A worrying statistic and one that badly needs addressing. We delve deeper to find out what is going wrong and how we can fix it?

The expansion of freelancing in a ‘gig economy’ has gained traction and attention, both online and in the work market, capturing the attention of students of all ages. Children as young as year 8 have shown an inclination towards self-employment, with some older teens calling for a curriculum that best helps their career prospectus in opening doors towards the freelancer market - yet schools seem slow to react and resistant to change.

In a game-changing move, the Freelancer Club has unleashed a duo of AI tools that are reshaping the landscape of freelance hiring. These tools don't just save time; they redefine the entire hiring process for both freelancers and clients.

Here we go again… The power shift. The pendulum swing. The force of hand.  Just when the dust was starting to settle in this new post-pandemic era, someone comes along to rain on our parade all over again. Just when you thought you were finally in control, the rug is swept from right underneath you. The new buzzword, “Contract-for-hire,” is the culprit.  And it’s very clever. Perhaps a little sneaky. Hey, maybe downright manipulative.

Freelancers, a recession is coming! When we hear the word 'recession' our immediate tendency is to panic and start preparing for the worst. Cut back on spending, batten down the hatches, and hunker down until it's all over. It's a perfectly logical position to take. Every newspaper, blog article, Tweet and media outlet constantly reminding us of it's devastating impact. Whilst this is true (minus the hyperbola) for so many businesses and employees who will sadly feel the effects of an economic downturn, for freelancers it's an entirely different story.

As we enter a new year, we dust off the old crystal ball and take a look at how trends, tech, and economic predictions could help freelancers prepare for 2023. 

There’s a new beauty trend taking hold of the internet. Long gone are the days of using make-up to conceal your blotchy face in the bathroom at work, now the make-up artists of Tik-Tok have made tears fashionable.