Freelancers – as those in the creative industry are called, such as writers, designers and illustrators – were the ones who most quickly adapted to migrating to remote work during the pandemic. However, workers in the sector also felt the effects of the economic crisis on their skin (and in their pockets).
Freelancers are not represented by trade unions and many were not entitled to €350 a week aid paid by the Irish government to workers who lost their jobs.
A recent study by Payoneer with 1,000 freelancers in more than 100 countries showed that the crisis caused by Covid-19 reduced the service demand for about 60% of professionals, bringing uncertainty about the future of many people. Even so, more than half of the interviewees remain optimistic, and believe that the demand for work will increase after everything normalizes.
To help publicize the work of freelancers in Ireland, a group launched The Indie List, a website that allows companies to hire professionals for services in the areas of advertising and marketing. More than 180 professionals – such as content creators, art directors, SEO specialists, photographers, videographers, web designers and media consultants – have already registered on the site. Registration is completely free, but there is a 10% commission on the amount paid for services.
For those who are still new to the field, there are many other sites designed to connect freelancers and clients, such as Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer.com and PeoplePerHourr. For many people, this is a way to earn extra income by offering their own talent. Some even leave their regular jobs to dedicate themselves exclusively to freelance and remote work.
