It's hard out there for a freelancer - no job security, likely no benefits, offers of payment in "exposure" or sometimes, no payment at all. The gig economy, as we're now calling the world of contractors, creatives, self-employed solopreneurs and employees-on-demand is only set to keep expanding, though - potentially representing 30 - 50% of the American workforce in a few short years. There are, however, a growing number of up-and-coming companies targeting their products and services at the specific needs of the hired-gun workforce. Here are a few that have recently caught my eye:
When you're looking for your next gig
Depressed by the compensation race to the bottom and the seeming cutthroat competition over low-budget projects? Startup ooomf aims to change that through thoughtful curation of freelance creative opportunities. Ooomf pairs vetted freelance designers, developers and copywriters with equally vetted clients. In the last month, they've posted $300 000 worth of business (average project value of $5500 and compensation in the $60 - $100/hr range) and have a database of 1000+ creative professionals with 3000 more on the waitlist.
When you're looking for somewhere to work
If you consider the nearest Starbucks your unofficial HQ and pride yourself on working wherever and whenever there's wifi, the Coffice app - which tells you what options are nearby and their amenities - is for you. If you're sick of closing deals over a cappuccino, however, you might be more interested in Breather, which is billed as the "zipcar of rooms" and has already raised $1.5M in seed round funding. Once launched, Breather will allow members to book wifi-enabled, private office space via mobile app for time blocks ranging from 30 minutes to a full day. If you're too commitment-phobic for a dedicated co-working space or are traveling and tired of working from public places, this might be a viable option.
When you're looking to make a good impression
If you want to sound like the head of a multinational and not just a guy who conducts business from the sofa in his boxers, Grasshopper might be able to help you out. Grasshopper, which has been around a little longer than the other companies mentioned, is a cloud-based virtual phone system that allows entrepreneurs to route calls from a 1-800 number directly to their personal cells. They also offer custom greetings, on-hold music and unlimited extensions - in case you want to give callers the impression that sales, tech support and reception aren't all handled by you. In your boxers.
When you want to monetize your mental rolodex
One of the best ways to make sure you stay afloat in the freelance world is to network as if your life depends on it (and it kind of does). Emissary is looking to help well-connected professionals monetize the matchmaking that they might do naturally. If you dig deep into your vast network to set a business contact up with, let's say, a consulting expert in marketing insurance products in the agricultural sector, Emissary wants you to benefit by receiving a cut of the fee your contact pays to the expert for doing the work of putting them together.