What Freelancers Want From Their Clients

As we pointed out earlier this week, firms of all sizes and types are increasing their use of freelancers and other forms of non-employee labor. 

But as companies become more reliant on external talent, they increasingly need to structure their policies, procedures, and engagement practices in order to be successful in attracting, engaging, and retaining highly skilled independent professionals. 

The reason is the majority of skilled independent professionals (defined as freelancers/independent workers who provide services to businesses) report they have choices in terms of who they work with. 

The study chart below is from the MBO Partners 2019 Client of Choice study. It shows 54% of independent professionals say they have a lot client choice and 33% say they have some choice. Only 13% say they have little or no choice.

Because of this, firms can no longer just be an employer of choice. They also need to be a client of choice.

The quick answer as to what these skilled independent professionals want from their clients is:

1. Being Treated as Part of the Team
2. Having Their Work Valued
3. A Positive Work Environment
4. The Opportunity to Learn and Build Skills
5. To be Paid Fairly and Quickly

For more details on each of these, see the MBO Partners 2019 Client of Choice study report.

MBO Partners is an Emergent Research client.