National and International Freelancers Day

Did you know that November 23, 2011 was National Freelancers Day in the U.K.? This year marked the third annual NFD, which was launched by PCG—a trade association and support network for freelancers.

On Wednesday, November 23^rd, St. Luke’s in London was host to leading industry experts who debated key topics on flexible working and varying workforce trends. The entire day’s activities were designed to assist freelancers in building their business for success.

One in 20 workers in the U.K. are freelancers, and that total has risen by 12% since 2008.

“The freelance community is one of the few competitive advantages that the UK economy has at the moment and I am passionate about the value that this highly skilled flexible workforce can add. National Freelancers Day is a perfect opportunity to help highlight the impact self-employed professionals have had, and will continue to have, on the economic growth of this country.” –Martin Hesketh, managing director of Brookson, Ltd.

Perhaps in light of the U.K.’s National Freelancers Day, International Freelancers Day recently had its second celebration, bringing together hundreds of thousands of freelancers from across the globe on September 23^rd in a massive free online event.

Seventeen of the world’s most respected freelance professionals, including FreelanceSwitch’s own Editor, spoke about freelancing, marketing, social media, and personal development. You can see the FreelanceSwitch presentation by clicking here.

Much like the U.K.’s event, International Freelancers Day is an initiative to celebrate independent workers and the tremendous impact freelancers have on global economic growth.

There are about 25 million freelancers in the U.S., and the founders of International Freelancers Day, Ed Gandia and Crystal Coleman, project double-digit growth of freelancing work over the next 10 years. As a major part of the economy, freelancing should be celebrated—hence these day-long learning and networking sessions.

“With many economists and thought leaders heralding the arrival of the ‘freelance economy,’ there’s never been a better time to celebrate freelancers and solo professionals the world over,” says Gandia, co-author of The Wealthy Freelancer.

Networking with other freelancers, learning how to grow your business, and hearing success stories from the best in the business sounds like a great way to spend a day. And you don’t even have to hop on a plane.

Do you plan to attend the 2012 International Freelancers Day and learn something new—you never know what sorts of juicy nuggets of information you can absorb from a bevy of world-renowned professionals.

Did you participate in this year’s event? If so, what did you learn and put to work in your freelance business?

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