Things can be tough if you’re a small entity in the market.
Just like how:
- Freelancers, as individuals, may get pushed around by clients that are bigger organisations with more bargaining power
- Small businesses are forced to close shop after landlords raise their rents sky high
It’s not a great position to be in. So, the next question is:
What can we do about it?
While it seems the answer is “nothing much”, there are still some things we can do. So, rather than just throwing up my hands helplessly, I prefer to focus on these.
For example:
- Keep working on your portfolio and positioning. If you can make yourself a more attractive freelancer to work with, e.g. because you’ve delivered results for big-name clients, then you might have more influence over the rates you want to get paid and the processes you want to apply.
- Support small. A freelancer friend says she tries to support individuals instead of bigger businesses. (E.g. referring people to freelance music instructors instead of music schools.) I like this idea of supporting the underdog and will do it, too.
And if you know of other freelancers, let’s help each other wherever we can. 🤝
That’s all for today. Yep, it’s short and sweet this time.
My next newsletter will be in about a month as I’m travelling in early June. Catch up with you then!
More freelancer news
Do a survey to improve a legal handbook for arts freelancers?
Non-profit legal organisation Pro Bono SG is planning to update Advocates for the Arts, a handbook it published way back in 2018 to help arts and creative professionals (primarily freelancers) in Singapore navigate legal issues they may face at work.
I’m helping with the refresh, so if you have time, it would be great if you could fill in this survey on what you’d like to see in the new edition.
Thank you!
This post was first published in my email newsletter on 22 May 2025. If you liked it, sign up for my newsletter here:
