How to become an IT Contractor - Becoming an IT Contractor

Most freelancers secure new work via word of mouth, according to new research from Freelance Advisor - a freelance advice site.

Finding freelance work

Most freelancers surveyed in the South of England (86%) said they secured most new work from existing contacts and clients. 6% used online marketing or networking as a key method of gaining new work. Just 8% used cold calling as a work-seeking method. Of course, 'freelance' work is not typically handled by recruitment agencies, which is where most IT contractors find new contracts.

Economic uncertainty

When asked about freelancing in the current economic climate, unsurprisingly 55% were concerned about how their income may be affected. As a result, 39% of these are increasing time spent on securing work, for example calling current clients, while almost a third (31%) are actively cold calling to drum up new projects. 29% are increasing marketing activity to promote their services via email or leaflets.

Overall, 23% remained firm they were not worried about their income going up or down in the face of economic uncertainty, while 21% were unsure.

Why freelancing?

When asked why they decided to become freelancers, the survey revealed that the ability to manage their own time, along with being their own boss, were the most popular reasons. 15% said they became freelancers because they had been made redundant, and 10% felt that being a freelancer was safer as a 'job for life' no longer exists.

The survey also found that 72% of freelancers surveyed worked from home. Of these, just over half (53%) said they were 'OK' at separating work and home life, with 42% saying their work and homelife was blurred. Only 6% claimed to be very good at separating the two.

Darren Fell, founder of the freelance site, said:

"The main gripe about the freelancing lifestyle was consistency of work - 70% of the people we questioned agreed.

"However, half of the total sample said a lack of work hadn't made them consider going back to full time employment. Mass redundancies and the current climate indicate that the number of freelancers will continue to grow - the website will help ease the transition for those making the jump from employee to freelancer, and indeed those already freelancing to make the most of their skills and help them network."