Dear readers,

In this issue of our Australia Freelance Market News, we will publish a study of the top 10 countries for freelance growth in which Australia is placed fourth. Additionally, we are also thrilled to announce our new on-site search function with which you will be able to find the ten closest local freelancers from your area.

We will then be presenting you with the most asked question of this month, where we explain why freelancers registered in our database have to be listed at an hourly rate. In our freelancer article, a marketing expert shows you how to simply present a service/product that is difficult to explain.

Last but not least, allow us to brighten up your day with our freelancer joke, which this time, is about a management consultant who tries to convince a simple fisherman on holiday to build up a large fishing fleet.

As always, I hope you enjoy reading this issue and that you have a busy and successful month.

The pandemic has massively changed the way we work in Australia. While Australia already has over 4 million freelancers, more and more people keep joining. Additionally, more and more companies are looking for freelancers who already know how to work remotely. That might be the reason why Australia now ranks number four in the list of fastest-growing freelancing countries in Payoneer’s ranking:

1) Philippines: 208%

2) India: 160%

3) Japan: 87%

4) Australia: 86%

5) Hong Kong: 79%

6) Mexico: 72%

7) Canada: 71%

8) Pakistan: 69%

9) Argentina: 66%

10) Spain: 66%

The percentages above represent the year-on-year growth in freelancers’ revenue from the first half of 2020 to the first half of 2021. Although it has been a tumultuous year for freelancers, the data indicates that the pandemic and movement towards remote work had some positive impact on the popularity of outsourcing in Australia.

We are happy to announce the newest feature of our website and app. In categories and freelancer searches with more than 20 results, it was quite a time consuming to find out which freelancer is the most suitable.

Therefore, we now display the button “Show the closest 10 freelancers” below the map. Once you click on this button, a new map will appear which lets you select a location where you need a contractor. Then, you can directly select the most suitable freelancer among the 10 closest. By adding this new feature, we aim to save time for our clients in their search for a freelancer next door and support their local community.

The fixed hourly rate improves the comparability of offers and saves both clients and freelancers from time-consuming price negotiations. The hourly rate is therefore binding at Australia Freelance Market, and is indicated on the profile as a net amount and without travel costs/expenses. Freelancers are bound to this hourly rate towards their clients.

If freelancers have different hourly rates for different tasks, the highest hourly rate must be stated in the profile. Constellations with lower hourly rates can be described in the profile, for example, 'Hourly rate 20% lower for assignments 100 hours'.

Registered service providers can present themselves with a short article in Australia Freelance Market News. In this issue, we present a marketing expert who is experienced in advertising.
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I met my client, a financial service provider specialising in cost management, through Australia Freelance Market Group. My task was to develop a concept to attract new customers.

Financial services are usually abstract and in need of explanation. For a better understanding, I, therefore, developed a key visual (a picture with a clear symbol) with a matching advertising message. This enabled my client to achieve an appointment rate of over twenty-seven per cent.

My client was very satisfied with the advertising message developed here: 'Did you know that a normal light bulb only emits five per cent as light and the remaining 95% goes up in smoke as heat? It is pretty much the same with your expenses.' This statement is supported by the pictorial symbol of a modern energy-saving LED lamp.

After developing the key visuals and creating a striking corporate design, we launched a two-stage direct mailing, which was supported by advertisements in trade journals. The web design was also suitably revised. The high success rate made my client confident. I am pleased that I was able to find this client through Australia Freelance Market Group.
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After a nervous breakdown, a management consultant takes a holiday break in a small fishing village. After an urgent client call, he can no longer sleep and takes a walk to the harbour.

A small boat with a fisherman and magnificent fish docks, and the businessman asks the fisherman: 'How long did it take you to catch those?' The fisherman replies 'Just a little while'.

The consultant asks him why he does not stay out longer to catch more fish. 'I have enough to feed my family and to give some fish to my friends', replies the fisherman and continues unloading.

Now, the consultant wants to know what the fisherman does with the rest of his time. 'I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a long nap together with my wife and walk to the village every evening, where I meet my friends.'

'I have worked at Boston Consulting and McKinsey, managed big projects successfully and I can help you. You should spend more time fishing and buy a bigger boat with the extra cash flow. In no time, you can then buy more boats until you own a whole fishing fleet. Then, you start a fish factory and open your corporate headquarters in the big city. After 10 years, you go public and sell your company. Then you can settle down in a cute coastal town, sleep late, fish, play with your kids, take long naps and meet up with your friends in the village in the evening.'