According to a new survey from PeoplePerHour, there has recently been a freelancer boom with businesses saying that they will pay whatever it takes to secure top freelance talent.
The research by the freelancer website shows that the highest increase has been in the marketing and communications sector where areas such as Growth Hacking has increased by 2050 per cent, Influencer Marketing has seen a 1618 per cent rise, Content Marketing has increased by 985 per cent and Instagram Marketing has seen a 1109 per cent rise in 2021 compared to 2020.
Xenios Thrasyvoulou, founder of PeoplePerHour, said: “Where once they were considered a last-minute stopgap that garnered the bare minimum of investment, we’ve seen an increasing acceptance of the value freelancers bring. Due to a combination of changing perceptions on different forms of working and pandemic-driven resignations, we’re seeing more buyers focusing on the quality of the work they can get, rather than treating it as a way to cut costs.”
The research also showed that 84 per cent of businesses believe freelancers can make a positive difference to their business, 45 per cent are more focused on quality of work than the cost of the freelancer. 20 per cent said they would pay whatever rate it takes to get the best person for the job.
“More sectors are being affected by staff shortages, as employees 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,” added Thrasyvoulou.
According to the research, there are more freelancers being used in London than any other city in the UK, followed by Manchester and then Birmingham.
