Providing the right conditions in 2010 for micro-traders to get on with ‘business as normal’ is a challenge being squared firmly on the shoulders of the government.
In a series of New Year messages, enterprise groups including the Federation of Small Businesses called the government to respond to the hatching of five million plans.
Although varied, the plan of every small business in the UK is critical to the economic recovery, the FSB explained, for being designed to let them grow or flourish.
So an incoming government - of whatever hue - must ensure it “nurtures these fragile plans” and creates “the right conditions for entrepreneurs to thrive,” the group urged.
The smallest of businesses, such as freelancers and the self-employed, will no doubt welcome the call for the government to become more small-business friendly.
In fact, a similar appeal came this month from the freelancers’ trade body, the PCG, which wants ministers in the business department to commit to ‘thinking small first.’
But speaking to FreelanceUK, one-person creative firms confirmed that the onus to create the conditions ripe for their growth or profitability was not only on the state.
Being paid late for their services; losing time or money through indecision and wrestling with inertia are all burdens imposed by their clients, the freelancers said.
“It would be really helpful if prospective clients would make a prompt decision on ideas I've pitched,” said Tony Greenway, a freelance writer, pointing at commissioning editors.
“A quick email reply - 'yes' or 'no' - would save me chasing them for an answer; and if it's a 'no' I can get the idea out to someone else. Everyone is busy - as an editor myself I understand that - but it would be a real time-saver.”
Barbara Chandler, a specialist in Property and Interior Design writing, is another one-person business who hopes the publishing industry gets its house more in order in 2010.
What’s needed, she says, is “a more professional payment system from some magazines, who not only do not pay for eons but also appear to lose invoices [or claim to] have no record of them.”
She added: “It's stressful deciding whether they are lying. Meeting deadlines is tricky as a freelancer, and chasing money does not help. Was it in the post, you wonder? Or did I miss it amidst all that PR bumph?”
A less immediately visible change from his existing and new clients in the UK is on the wish-list of Jim Callender, of freelance web design consultancy Callender Creates.
“What I want to see in 2010 is an increase in belief in user centered-based design. In the United States clients 'get it' more than those in the UK.
“The return on investment of usability cannot directly be measured, unlike a click-through on a sponsored advert. However, receiving fewer support emails, winning praise and increased pages per visit are all good indicators that a design is working for your visitors.”
In addition, by writing a series of ‘e-guides’ in PDF format, Callender hopes clients will improve their knowledge of how to effectively manage and design their web presence.
“Clients can no longer keep up with the pace of new products and services,” he said, or even “how their customers are now searching for information on the web.”
If the guides are successful, the freelancer hopes that those client companies who read them will emerge with a clearer understanding of how his business operates.
Charlie Bluett, a special effects consultant, is another creative freelancer pinning his hopes for 2010 on a change of attitude from his prospective clients, particularly with how they treat newcomers.
“It has been very noticeable that working in an industry where so many people
start the foundation of their career for expenses only, many clients and
production companies are taking complete advantage of it more than normal.
“It would be nice to think that some clients will stay loyal through these
hard times,” he said, “but only time will tell.”
Editorial image courtesy of Patrick Hoesly.
Jan 21, 2010
Email this article
Printer friendly page
Previous Page
