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A Letter From the Editor

Thank you for participating in the 2010 Global Freelancer Survey! Your responses have shaped the advice published in Freelance Confidential, and will help your fellow freelancers and entrepreneurs succeed more than any one expert could do alone. Your advice comes from someone whos been there, done that, and isnt that what we all need to be successful? During the busiest time of the year, 3,200 freelancers from around the world took time out of their busy schedules to take the Global Freelancer Survey hosted by FreelanceSwitch. These freelancers talked candidly about their work, their clients, their experience, and their goals for their future. These are the entire results from the survey. Some highlights and updates from the 2007 results include: A surprising increase in fulltime freelancers world wide. Changes in where freelancers find leads for new work. Clearer information on how freelancers talk about price. Average hourly rates by industry and experience. Updates on benefits and reasons for freelancing. In order to thank you for participating, Im providing a free copy of our complete 2010 survey results. I hope the information inside can help you check how your industry stacks up and inspires you to grow your business in new ways. If youre hungry for more data and the inside scoop on freelancing, be sure to check out Freelance Confidential, now available from Rockable Press. In the full book edition, youll learn how experts in your field made it work and ways to secure your success. Youll

also get additional discussion about the statistics and what it means for your business. You can find Freelance Confidential on Rockable: http://www.rockablepress.com . A print version is also available on Amazon. Once again, thank you for participating! Amanda Hackwith Author, Freelance Confidential | www.rockablepress.com Editor, FreelanceSwitch | www.freelanceswitch.com Freelancer | www.amandahackwith.com

THE RESULTS

Freelance Survey Results

Freelance Survey Results

For your convenience, Ive provided an overview of general results from both the 2010 Global Freelancer Survey. I hope you find them useful, enjoy!
Gender in 2007 & 2010

Are you male or female?

2010 76.6% male female 23.4%

What continent do you reside in?

What continent do you reside in?

2010 50.7% 4.0% 29.3% 1.4% 11.4% 3.3%

North America South America Europe

Africa Asia Australia & New Zealand

How would you describe where you live?

How would you describe where you live?

2010 38.6% Major City (>1m) Town (10k100k) 31.4% 22.6% 7.5%

Established City (100k1m) Rural (<10k)

Work Experience
2010 41.9%

Where did you receive your primary professional training?

Where did you receive your primary training?

13.5% 43.8% 0.8%

University, college, technical college On the job training and experience Self taught Other

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Graphic Designer Web Designer Web Developer Software Designer Illustrator Photographer Video Production 3D Production Musician Writer Project Manager Business Consultant Virtual Assistant Other 0% 3.3% 1.1% 1.9% 2.6% 1.0% 0.7% 5.3% 1.2% 3.1% 0.6% 7.8% 5%

Freelance Survey Results

What profession are you primarily in? (2010) What is your primary profession or industry?
22.9% 23.2% 25.3%

Do you freelance full time?

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Do you freelance full time?

2010 49.7% 36.6% 13.6%

On average, how many hours do you freelance per week?

Yes No, I freelance part time for additional income No, I freelance part time to transition to full time

On average, how many hours do you freelance per week?

60 hours or more 40 to 60 hours 30 to 40 hours 20 to 30 hours 10 to 20 hours 5 to 10 hours less than 5 hours 0% 5% 11.0% 10% 15% 20% 25% 3.4% 15.7% 15.1% 19.5% 18.1% 17.2%

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10 years or more 5 to 9 years 3 to 5 years 2 to 3 years 1 to 2 years Less than a year I just started 0% 5% 10.7% 10% 7.9% 11.0%

Freelance Survey Results

How long have you been freelancing? How long have you been freelancing? (2010)

16.1% 16.7% 20.7% 16.9%

15%

20%

25%

How many years did you work as an employee? How many years did you work as an employee? (2010)
Over 7 years 4 to 7 years 2 to 4 years 1 to 2 years Less than a year I am still an employee I have never worked as an employee 0% 10% 5.0% 22.3% 16.5% 20% 30% 40% 13.0% 12.7% 8.8% 21.7%

Freelance Survey Results

Do you work more or fewer hours than you did as ayou work more or fewer hours than you did as a full time employee? (2010) Do full time employee?
More hours About the same Fewer hours 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 26.4% 22.9% 50.7% 50%

Note: In the 2010 survey, respondents were only asked this question if they had previously indicated they had previously worked as a full-time employee.

On average, where do you complete most of your work? average, where do you do most of your work? (2010) On
Home Private office Shared office Public space (coffee shop, library, etc.) 9.6% 7.7% 10.9% 0% 10% 71.8%

Please rate your level of experience:

20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

Please rate your level of experience.

Industry expert Highly skilled Intermediate Beginner 6.0% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 30.5% 12.3% 51.2%

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Freelance Survey Results

Clients and Projects

Where do you findWhere do you find work? (2010) work?
Referrals Portfolio website Social networking sites Online job boards/sites Personal or professional blog Cold calling Advertising (web, print, etc.) 7.4% 4.1% 4.8% 16.1% 14.4% 13.2% 34.2%

Contests or 2.5% competitions percentage of clients are in a different country than you? What 3.3% Other 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

What percentage of clients are in a different country than you?

100% 76% to 99% 51% to 75% 26% to 50% 1% to 25% Zero 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 5.0% 7.1% 4.9% 6.6% 27.2% 49.3% 50% 60%

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Estimates Fixed quotes 15.7% 6.4% 25.3%

Freelance Survey Results

How do you initially discuss price with clients? How do you initially discuss price with clients?

Hourly rates only A mix, or depends on the project

On average, what percent of your hours worked do you bill your clients a week?
52.6% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

On average, what percent of hours worked do you bill clients per week?
100% 81% to 99% 61% to 80% 41% to 60% 21% to 40% 11% to 20% Less than 10% 0% 5% 2010 10% 10.0% 7.2% 23.0% 15.1% 15% 20% 25% 14.2% 16.4% 5.4% 5.4% 9.4% 12.2% 18.8% 22.5% 19.3% 21.3%

2010 (full time only)

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Freelance Survey Results

Income and Compensation

What is your gross income per year?
Overall Average Full-time freelancers Part-time freelancers

$46,352.67

$34,339.50

$22,745.77

What is your net income per year?

Overall Average Full-time freelancers Part-time freelancers

$31,760.71

$22,065.10

$12,728.83

Additional Income Statistics

What is your estimated hourly rate? Hourly Rate by Profession
Industry 3D Production Photography Business Consultant Other Project Manager Web Designer Video Production Software Designer Musician Writer Web Developer Graphic Designer Illustrator Virtual Assistant Average Hourly Rate $107.32 $83.87 $81.44 $66.85 $59.54 $59.86 $57.33 $54.88 $49.86 $48.00 $47.98 $45.71 $44.91 $23.84

$54.44

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Hourly Rate by Experience
Years in business Just started Less than a year 1 to 2 years 2 to 3 years 3 to 5 years 5 to 9 years 10 years or more

Freelance Survey Results

Average Hourly Rate $65.77 $44.87 $44.91 $56.64 $49.96 $59.15 $84.55

Median Gross Income by Expertise and Years of Experience

125K 125K

100K

100K

75K

75K

50K

50K

25K

25K

0K Beginner

Intermediate

Highly Skilled

Industry Expert

0K I just started 12 years 35 years 10 years+ < 1 year 23 years 59 years Software Designer Writer Other Graphic Designer Web Designer Web Developer

Virtual Assistant Musician 3D Production Illustrator

Project Manager Photographer Video Production Business Consultant

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Gross Income by Expertise

Freelance Survey Results

Gross Average Income Beginner 20,360 no data no data 5,000 20,167 9,573 no data 17,617 16,275 43,489 22,257 11,149 13,150 21,055 Inter mediate 15,943 14,300 24,091 8,300 28,300 39,024 19,286 32,841 18,439 21,188 24,538 18,489 16,394 16,993 Highly Skilled 15,971 19,458 33,419 24,833 48,266 43,814 41,057 49,205 52,484 53,680 41,110 36,217 35,642 32,870 Industry Expert 10,000 43,880 84,679 46,500 289,950 47,500 52,752 102,640 101,550 85,972 55,400 48,084 60,367 58,436

Virtual Assistant Musician 3D Production Illustrator Project Manager Photographer Video Production Business Consultant Software Designer Writer Other Graphic Designer Web Designer Web Developer

Median Average Income Beginner 20,360 no data no data 5,000 30,000 9,573 no data 6,300 7,500 9,500 10,000 6,000 5,000 10,000 Inter mediate 10,000 8,500 12,000 4,000 30,000 12,000 20,000 25,000 8,000 12,250 15,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 Highly Skilled 15,000 12,500 21,000 23,000 38,000 25,000 34,500 40,000 50,000 36,250 35,000 25,000 28,000 25,129 Industry Expert 10,000 50,000 91,000 47,500 159,850 47,500 48,000 100,000 70,000 75,000 50,000 42,000 45,000 46,500

Virtual Assistant Musician 3D Production Illustrator Project Manager Photographer Video Production Business Consultant Software Designer Writer Other Graphic Designer Web Designer Web Developer

Values have been rounded to the nearest dollar. No persons submitted information in this category.

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Freelance Survey Results

Gross Income by Years of Experience

Average Gross Income Less I just than started a year Virtual Assistant Musician 3D Production Illustrator Project Manager Photographer Video Production Business Consultant Software Designer Writer Other Graphic Designer Web Designer Web Developer 1 to 2 years 2 to 3 years 3 to 5 years 5 to 9 10 years years or more
6,000 39,333 68,515 28,500

20,000 15,253 19,320 11,667 no data 25,000 600 22,500 21,380 23,333 33,250 18,000 8,000 35,286 24,620 40,333 49,500 68,500 700 12,250 11,563 27,800 31,000 55,500 19,750

41,167 55,827 54,625 48,529 46,500 323,500 89,286 67,273 59,941 62,565 47,625 66,079 56,877

10,267 55,778 13,100 28,150 29,250 51,667 136,000 42,367 29,962 33,882 30,591 29,479 21,861 32,963 38,964 49,179 51,399 67,417 31,907 33,159 49,820 31,927 108,438 24,579 32,394 81,100 61,417 100,308

63,275 22,196 26,915 74,609 41,825 60,855 31,159 32,223 42,008 36,579 37,156 35,515 22,935 23,438 23,498 35,539 42,011 17,523 23,135 26,851 30,916 30,625 30,446 29,445 26,065 25,809 31,667 39,612

Median Gross Income Less I just than started a year Virtual Assistant Musician 3D Production Illustrator Project Manager Photographer Video Production Business Consultant Software Designer Writer Other Graphic Designer Web Designer Web Developer
20,000 600 22,500 700 3,750

1 to 2 years

2 to 3 years

3 to 5 years

5 to 9 10 years years or more

6,000

4,900 15,000 10,000 no data 25,000

8,500 10,000 34,000 18,000 38,000 8,000 46,000 68,500 62,500 31,000 8,500 15,000 30,000 62,500

8,000 10,000 15,500

17,500 38,000 30,000 56,750 50,000 46,500 152,000 5,000 19,323 16,000 30,000 22,000 45,000 100,000 35,000 30,000 32,000 25,000 32,000 20,000 55,000 37,500 26,000 36,000 40,000 42,500 38,000 96,000 35,000 19,000 37,000 30,000 20,000 80,000 70,000 17,100 12,000 20,000 40,000 33,250 45,000 60,000 10,100 12,000 18,000 15,000 40,000 35,000 59,000 13,500 15,000 17,280 15,000 28,500 35,000 41,000 14,000 12,000 16,000 20,000 20,000 27,500 45,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 15,000 25,000 30,000 45,000

Values have been rounded to the nearest dollar. No persons submitted information in this category.

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Freelance Survey Results

After expenses, do you make more or less than you did as a fulltime employee? After expenses, do you make more or less than you did as a full time employee? (20
More About the same Less 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 27.2% 24.1% 48.7% 50%

Note: In the 2010 survey, respondents were only asked this question if they had previously indicated they had previously worked as a full-time employee.

Benefits: Do you have you have ? (2010) Do ?

health insurance dental insurance life insurance business insurance a retirement fund 0 411 1,374 500 1,000 1,500
Yes

1,914 1,152 1,187 2,332 1,566 1,788

913

1,560 2,000
No

2,500

3,000

Do you exercise regularly?

Do you exercise regularly?

2010 58.6% Yes No 41.4%

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No issues Back pain Eye strain Headaches Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Other 0 174 114 500 448 786 714

Freelance Survey Results

Do you suffer from workrelated health issues? Do you suffer from work-related health issues?
1,669

1,000

1,500

2,000

Are you satisfied with your are you satisfied with ? Regarding your work, work?
your career opportunities the challenge of your projects your working hours your income level 0% 19.2% 14.1% 9.8% 4.7% 37.0% 48.4% 41.8% 27.8% 20% 28.2% 40% Very Satisfied Satisfied Neutral 60% 24.9% 24.3% 29.2% 30.1% 80% 14.5% 4.4%

10.0% 3.2% 15.8% 3.5%

9.3% 100%

Unsatisfied Very Unsatisfied

Do you feel you have more personal time since you started more or less time Do you feel you have freelancing? for personal projects since you started freelan
More time About the same Less time 0 500 767 1,000 1,500 1,117 1,351

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Freelance Survey Results

Overall, are you happier sincestartedstarted Are you happier since you you freelancing? freelancing?
2010 93.0% Yes No 7.0%

Do you feel secure as a freelancer?

Do you feel secure as a freelancer?

2010 54.30% Yes No 45.70%

What are your business plans for the for the future? What are your business plans future?
always solo freelance open small business return to full time employment generate income from other solo work 0% 8.1% 30.1% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 24.4%

Why did you decide to freelance?

37.5%

Why did you decide to freelance?

I dont like working for other people I wanted creative control over my projects I wanted more flexibility I wanted to work from home I wanted more time with my children/family I wanted more money I wanted to grow a business I failed to find full time employment Other 2.7% 2.6% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 8.9% 13.4% 13.3% 15.4% 9.2% 15.4% 19.3%

About The Author

Amanda Hackwith is the Editor of FreelanceSwitch ( freelanceswitch.com ), a freelancing blog and home to a growing community of expert freelancers from around the world. She also is Site Manager for GraphicRiver ( graphicriver.net ), a creative stock marketplace for graphic design files. In her free time, she blogs about web-working and media at her personal blog. Amanda lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband, Levi, and a family of cats and dogs. When she isnt writing, shes an avid gamer and likely to be found playing the latest MMORPG or tactics game. Amanda got her start designing and writing about new media in college and never looked back. You can find out more about Amanda on her blog: http://www.amandahackwith.com .