GIG Talks pt. 3 - What about ongoing freelance assignments during the lockdown?

Finding freelance assignments is just about the freelancer's most important task besides getting them done. From previous research we did last May, we found that freelancers get new assignments from the following recurring sources:

Although the specific (online) platforms such as that of GiGHOUSE are used by 62.26% of the respondents, we clearly see that the own professional network is very important for freelancers. And that's where the shoe pinches right away.

So experienced freelancer Sabine the drawbacks on her future agenda by not being on the job and not being able to call on her professional network. "I found that I get a lot of work out of being present with my clients. You hear things casually dropped and detect new opportunities in them. So by not being present, I had no visibility of new opportunities. Commercially, you have to be there. Telecommuting is anything but interesting in that respect."

But where some freelancers were lucky enough to switch to telecommuting, it seemed less obvious for others.

Kurt saw three ongoing assignments fall away but experienced particular difficulty in finding new freelance assignments. "Each entrepreneur shot as it were in a cramp mode, preventing investment. At the same time, you can't get outside which makes networking almost impossible."

But fortunately, we know freelancers mostly as flexible and entrepreneurial individuals. And Kurt illustrates that very nicely here. He quickly switched from the acquisition of new customers to an online story: "I ended up focusing on new online contacts with the idea that this could contribute something in the future. I worked out a manual that makes it easy to start a webshop. Meanwhile, I know two businesses in my neighborhood that have realized a webshop."

Along with the lockdown, networking opportunities are also gone. Being present in the workplace, attending networking events, having coffee with fellow entrepreneurs is out of the question. And how important that networking is, the corona crisis makes painfully clear to all freelancers. Kurt: "I've come to the realization that I always get work on the recommendation of someone I've already worked with. Or by working with a party like GiGHOUSE. Which ultimately comes down to the same thing."

Caroline also brings in many assignments through word of mouth. Through the co-working space from which she works, for example. "When that network goes down, you feel it immediately", Caroline said.