Welcome to the new Human Cloud newsletter,

Yep… it’s budget season. Tis the season of locking in contracts, investments, and OKR’s for 2024. 

If you’re like your peers, you’re feeling hopeful, as according to our Freelance Trend Tracker, over 75% of you feel confident about the direction of the freelance economy. Some other fun facts,  you’re not too keen on venture funding, as 71% stated this little importance. You also realize the power of client relationships as 57% state client relationships had the biggest impact on their performance.

Likewise, we’re very optimistic, but realistic in that it’s a frothy economy overall, no one knows what’s really going on, and the only way to be ready for the future is to prioritize strong, deep, and strategic client relationships. In today’s newsletter we’ll help you do just that.

Enjoy!

 

– Jon and Matthew

🚨 Freelance Trend Tracker is live

Access the views of enterprise executives, marketplace leaders, and ecosystem partners.

In Today's Email

📖  Read: Learning About Growth From Investment Advisory

🔧  Download: Freelance 2.0 Presentation

🦻  Listen: Steve Rader of NASA

🥳  Shoutout: Congratulations To Our Friends! 

👀  Check Out: New Freelance Solutions You Need To Know

What The Freelance Economy Can Learn From Investment Advisory Firms

Jon breaks down what drives growth for investment advisory firms. Hint…they are hyper focused on lead generation, with events and partnerships as the main drivers.

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Exclusive Access

What The Freelance Economy Can Learn From Investment Advisory Firms

Matthew breaks down how our industry is transitioning from a non strategic $449b industry today to a strategic sourcing $6 trillion industry by 2030.

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Congratulations To Our Friends  

(if you have an exciting update, send it our way!)

The Indie List has launched Ireland’s first “Fractional CMO” service targeting SMEs. These businesses can now engage an experienced specialist to run specific projects, enabling them to execute, expand or experiment in new areas for a fraction of the cost of filling a full time role.

Gigster acquired CodersRank, a multi award winning platform for algorithmic developer ranking. This move grows their network to 60k+ network members and 600k additional profiled developers.

Rachel Renock, Wethos CEO and Cofounder, was recently chosen for the 2023 edition of Gaingels 100, which spotlights venture-backed LGBTQIA+ founders. Rachel is a champion for independence, her work at Wethos is helping to build a future where going independent is a viable and lucrative career for millions.

Free Trade Europa releases “Future of Work Study 2023: Digitalisation and the Labour Market of Tomorrow”.

Catalant coins “Consulting 2.0” — flexible, fit-to-purpose consulting that is right-sized and transparent. In their words, “It’s not a new offering — this is what we’ve been doing for the last ten years. But this name resonates with how clients think about using Catalant, and that’s been really impactful.

Elina Jutelyte has run another successful freelance business month. From Raquel Suarez of Unilever to Matthew Knight of Leapers, the conference is jam packed with knowledge. Catch the tail end of it below.

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Listen

What The Freelance Economy Can Learn From Investment Advisory Firms

Jon breaks down what drives growth for investment advisory firms. Hint…they are hyper focused on lead generation, with events and partnerships as the main drivers.

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Chart of the Week

What The Freelance Economy Can Learn From Investment Advisory Firms

Credit: Grand View Research

What we love about this stat is how realistic, sustainable, yet opportunistic it is. It is NOT saying that the freelance economy is a flash in the pain. Rather, it’s a sustainable and superior alternative to existing temp and agency structures.

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New Players On The Block

Send us your new platforms

We’re fortunate to meet several new platforms most weeks, a good measure of the continuing allure of freelancing, and we’re glad to introduce them to you.

Freelance Industry Landscape

There are over 1,000 solutions related to our $5.4 trillion dollar industry. We’ve segmented 150+ players you need to be aware of.

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Cloud Challenge

Send us your favorite cloud photo!

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Closing Words


That’s it folks, see you next week!

– Jon and Matthew, President and CEO of Human Cloud