Freelance Voices: Hoxby.com Freelancers Describe Freelance Life In The U.K. – Forbes

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Welcome to the sixth article in my series of Freelance Voices,a series that celebrates the experience of freelancers in different regions and professional specialties. Earlier this year I shared findings from my Global Survey on Freelancing, co-sponsored by the University of Toronto.As a side project, my Agile Talent Collaborative has invited platforms from many countries to share how freelancers describe their what its like to freelance in the shadow of Covid-19.

This month Freelance Voices collaborates with UK freelance colleagues from Hoxby.com.Hoxby, founded by Lizzie Penny and Alex Hirst, is well-known to UK and EU freelancers in the marketing, advertising, and PR space, and to the corporates and agencies they support. Readers may not know Hoxbys reputation as a standout in creating a collaborative and supportive freelance community, while preserving high standards, high talent, and strong growth.I am particularly impressed with the care the platform team puts into its future-proofing educational services to its members, and its workstyle philosophy that, as Pennyand Hirst have explained, We are committed to the whole person, and support a workstyle that fits them as the individual they are.In fact, members of the Hoxby community are uniquely treated as colleagues and partners, even participating in a profit sharing pool.For more on Hoxbys unique strategy and culture, read my article on Hoxby and check out: Workstylerevolution.com

Here are UK freelance voices from the Hoxby community:

Anneli Lort. The freedom to work when and where I want, and the freedom to shut the laptop. The empowerment I feel when I'm in total control of my life, when I can say no to work, and when I can fit everything into my life that's important to me.

Louise Bolotin. I choose what work I want to take on and say no to projects I don't fancy. The one thing I do miss about staff is having colleagues to bounce ideas off. It's not quite the same doing that kind of creative thinking online and the pandemic has meant face-to-face networking opportunities have been curtailed.

Yacob Cajee. Freelancing is incredibly liberating. No longer governed by the clock and antiquated dress codes. I am more active; happier and healthier, both physically and mentally so more productive when I am working. Being over 60 and of African/Asian heritage, the ability to work from home during the pandemic was especially important.

Jane Hunter. Freelancing allows me to do a variety of interesting work while setting my own workstyle and to be properly present for my children. I can also help care for my elderly mother who lives in a different country, because I can work anywhere. The biggest challenges of freelancing is that it can be isolating. That was completely solved when I joined Hoxby - an amazing community that has a sense of purpose and shares my values.

Kat Gilbert. As a full-time caregiver to my son, freelancing is the only way I can be there for him and produce impactful work for my clients, whilst remaining physically and mentally healthy. It took a pandemic for the world to acknowledge this.

Sarah Moore. Being able to work across multiple projects, categories and time zones with brilliant teams never gets old and I would never have the opportunity to work on such a diverse portfolio in a more traditional role. And still being able to put life and family first is incredible.

Katherine Ritchie. As long as I meet my deadlines and ensure my clients are happy, I am master of my time I allocate it as I wish rather than complying with convention. I love the liberty and am more efficient, creative and happier as a result. The pandemic had little impact on my workstyle, other than constant family demands to be fed!

Kate Duggan. Ive been freelancing for seven years now. I love the freedom and flexibility. I can pick and choose the projects that really interest me. Freelancing can be lonely at times though. Platforms like Hoxby are great for connecting with other freelancers and feeling like part of a team again.

Clare Fleerackers. Being able to freelance work from home has enabled me to find part of myself again. Three and a half years ago our daughter died suddenly. It was a catastrophic change in our family and after a successful corporate career, I just wasn't the same person. After a year off I decided to apply to Hoxby and gradually started taking on some work projects. I've been able to go at my own pace, been able to choose the work I do and been able to look after my mental health too.

Gill Holmes. Ive worked in the public, private and voluntary sectors but Ive never felt better than I do now - working as a freelancer. Less stressful, more enjoyable, I love being my own boss. Because I work alone, Hoxbys supportive online community is invaluable, working alongside others who are as enthusiastic about their work as I am mine.

Sarah Spargo. Freelancing has enabled me to return to Cornwall without limiting my earnings, the projects I can work on and the teams I can work with. The biggest challenge as a parent is not being able to network for new business. I feel very fortunate to be part of Hoxby where everyone works together to bring in new opportunities.

Malph Minns. The main challenges are getting new business, building a personal and corporate brand, building trust with clients and getting paid on time. I love the variety, the time I get back from not commuting and the ability to flex my work style. There are things you miss, but overall I prefer it. What people have experienced in lockdown is not what remote work is about. It has been an extreme form that bears little resemblance to what it is normally like.

Jenefer Thoroughgood. New business comes largely from reputation and referral, so if someone has been freelancing for a long time, they are good at what they do. And freelancers are usually assessed on output rather than attendance so they are well-equipped for this world of non-office based work where its what you do that counts.

Mark Jones. Freelancing and working flexibly allows me greater control over my work, who I work with and when I'm available. It's an empowering feeling. It's difficult to manage income though so my concerns are generally keeping clients happy and making enough connections to keep work coming in. Due to the pandemic, some clients have reduced workload so I've had to adapt my offer.

Viva la revolution!

Originally posted here:

Freelance Voices: Hoxby.com Freelancers Describe Freelance Life In The U.K. - Forbes