Freelancers are the ‘behind-the-scenes’ stars of creative Britain - but not for much longer thanks to a UK contest to spotlight those whose service to their clients has been exemplary.
Run by Xchangeteam, the Freelancer of the Year awards will showcase the talents of nine people who work in advertising, design, digital, editorial, events, Marketing, PR, and Public Affairs.
Entrants for the eight categories, as well as the grand title Freelance of the Year, need not be multi-talented or uniquely skilled, but must have ‘gone the extra mile’ for their client to stand a chance of winning.
Announcing the fifth annual awards, organisers also said the likeliest freelancers to win were those who have “pushed the boundaries” of their creative work over the past 12 months.
Freelancers can enter themselves, or ask a client to nominate them before October 31, to stand a chance of being short-listed at a glitzy awards ceremony in London in February.
Past winners have seen their award as not just a huge mark of recognition by their peers and their client, but for some; it has also proven the master key to unlocking major new business.
In part, this is because the awards is a unique occasion for networking, given so many talented freelancers gather under one roof, often joined by their industry leaders and members of the media.
But it’s also because the title of ‘Freelancer of the Year’ turns heads among recruiters, HR managers and client companies, as its holders explained.
“Winning the award has…had a huge impact on my career, in terms of being able to raise my profile in the industry and attract the interest of potential hirers,” said PR expert Rona Levin, who won ‘Freelancer of the Year’ in 2007.
The previous year’s overall winner, copywriter Ray Christodoulou added: “The biggest change the award has made is that now, whenever I take time off, I don't feel that uncertainty about finding work that's so embedded within the freelancer psyche.”
Both of the former winners testified that in addition to being a great asset on their CVs, it was reward enough just to get their hard work as a creative freelancer recognised.
“Freelancers usually work in the background,” Ms Levin said, “and don't seek attention for their work, but one person really can make a difference which others value. The awards recognise that contribution and celebrate it.”
Any freelance professional in the UK can enter the awards by entering themselves, or companies/individuals can nominate a freelancer they've hired or worked with over the last year.
Jul 23, 2008
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