{"id":57579,"date":"2023-03-01T14:23:57","date_gmt":"2023-03-01T22:23:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/?p=57579"},"modified":"2023-03-01T14:23:57","modified_gmt":"2023-03-01T22:23:57","slug":"freelancing-is-surging-how-to-integrate-contract-workers-into-your-marketing-strategy-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/freelancing-is-surging-how-to-integrate-contract-workers-into-your-marketing-strategy-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Freelancing Is Surging! How to Integrate Contract Workers into Your Marketing Strategy Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

Companies and workers alike: heed a decided shift occurring on the employment scene. Freelancing is expanding in a big way in 2023. Says who? This news comes directly from a cross-section of participants in the labor market.<\/p>\n

In 2022, about 36% of the workforce<\/a> engaged in freelance work. According to a recent survey<\/a>, that proportion is expected to more than double this year. Based on the responses, \u201c73% say they will either start or continue freelancing.\u201d<\/p>\n

What accounts for this leap in freelancing? The reasons are varied but revolve around economics as the main driver. High inflation, increased cost of living, and layoffs across tech and other sectors top the list. As a result, \u201cThe majority of U.S. workers surveyed are feeling less secure, or the same, about their income this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why some are turning to freelancing as an additional source of income. But that\u2019s only part of the picture. Others, namely victims of recent staff cuts, are flocking to freelancing to replace their lost wages. Then there are those who gravitate proactively to freelancing in these uncertain times to be the master of their own destiny. Still others choose the freelance lifestyle for the overall options and variety it offers.<\/p>\n

Put together, contract work is destined to play a large role in how all stakeholders get through this anticipated economic downturn.<\/p>\n

Connecting Supply and Demand<\/h2>\n

The supply of freelancers is one end of the equation. Demand is the other. Why should companies use freelancers? In today\u2019s challenging climate, it\u2019s a sign of the times. When the economy sputters and layoffs and hiring freezes occur, bringing on contingent workers remains a uniquely effective way to fill the gaps and then some.<\/p>\n

By integrating contractors into their employment mix, organizations can gain flexibility and lower their cost of doing business. With limited budgets and resources on one end and an abundant stream of able and eager freelancers on the other, companies that go this route can obtain the skills and support they seek on favorable terms. It\u2019s a solution, thanks to market dynamics, whose time has come.<\/p>\n

A report entitled \u201cThe Contingent Labor Imperative: How Agile Enterprises Succeed in a Modern Workforce Mode<\/a>l\u201d offers a top-level list of benefits companies derive from freelancers. These include: \u201cmeeting temporary workload needs, increasing productivity, getting tasks done more quickly, and accessing specialized skills and hard-to-find talent.\u201d<\/p>\n

And Empowering Marketing in the Process<\/h2>\n

Companies have used contingent workers through the years\u2014it\u2019s not a new phenomenon. Several marquee brands<\/a> presently hire large numbers of freelancers to drive their business, including Meta, Walmart, and Nintendo. All three deploy freelancers for myriad activities in marketing, which is a prime target for the use of contractors.<\/p>\n

Integrating freelancers into marketing teams is a high-value practice at this time. In many marketing roles\u2014email developers, researchers, strategists, media buyers, PR managers, ecommerce specialists\u2014highly specialized experts are well-positioned to quickly apply their skills to high-level assignments, even without extensive experience at the company. This is invaluable at this tough economic juncture, when companies have had to scale back their marketing staff and spend.<\/p>\n

So how can organizations secure freelance talent quickly, and how can they do so in ways that immediately yield return on their investment? Being speedy and savvy is critical.<\/p>\n

How to Recruit Contract Workers ASAP, 2023 Style<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s good news here. Company policies that evolved in the last few years form a foundation for efforts in the arena of freelance work. On top of that, there are strategies employers can implement to attract talent quickly, starting with:<\/p>\n

Promote Remote<\/h4>\n

Telecommuting and remote\/hybrid arrangements took root during the COVID-19 pandemic and still mark the mode of work today for many in the corporate world, appearing to be both popular and enduring. From this perspective, Lightcast\u2019s 2003 Global Talent Playbook<\/a> proclaims: \u201cRemote work is here to stay.\u201d It provides flexibility and work-life balance, which are values integral to the freelance mantra.<\/p>\n