Why are universities always chasing the next unicorn? Now, I don’t mean a unicorn as in the mythical horn-headed creature featured in thousands of years of European art and literature. Nor do I mean that “special someone” that hapless romantics fantasise about meeting in a magical way just like they do in the movies.

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.

This International Women’s Day, the Freelancer Club is in conversation with Ladies, Wine & Design (Vienna, Bristol and New York) to discuss the role of female and non-binary talent in the creative fields.

Remember that olde saying from back in the day…. “Don’t take no for an answer.”  It was drilled into us from our mentors, favourite business gurus, and idols alike — those that achieved their dreams by never giving up.  We fantasised about the day we would take our sellable skills out into the world and then immediately get rejected with that word — “no” — and then we’d embark on our own fiercely passionate, dedicated journey of discovering that life-changing “yes,” for-as-long-as-it-takes.  It’s almost as if this was a time where actually talking to another human who would recognise our existence and give us the courtesy of a reply, was the basic norm.   Gosh. They really were simpler times, weren’t they? 

We frequently hear that ‘Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion’ are essential to business success but what are the realities from a freelancer’s perspective? Are minorities fairly represented amongst blended workforces and what are the challenges faced by freelancers in this space?

Welcome to a very special panel discussion on the rise of Artificial intelligence and how it will impact freelancers’ work.    Charli Hunt, founder of Proof Content, an agency that offers AI as a service, Alexander Welham from Briffa, a law firm specialising in IP, and Matt Dowling, founder of Freelancer Club, will discuss a range of key points in the wake of ChatGPT’s growing popularity.

Over the past couple of years, freelancing has become an increasingly popular career choice for many individuals as its mode of design often offers flexibility and independence in the fast-paced world of work. New York City, a hub of creativity and innovation, attracts many freelancers who seek opportunities across a diverse range of industries. Indeed, New York might for many be synonymous with the ‘land of opportunity’, but as the freelancing industry grows, so does the competition.

‘Ello ello, you fabulous freelancers.  So, tell me…how’s January 2023 been then? This sodding month can go either way... Has it been a case of smack back to reality and all systems go? Or has the freelance ocean been pretty calm, giving you the opportunity to sail at your own pace — where you can make use of the quiet time to plan out the year ahead before the storm eventually hits?