Does it make sense to build yet another Freelancer Platform? - “Hell Yes, and here is why!”

The common question

When talking to industry outsiders I often get the question: “Philipp, does it really need another freelancer booking platform?!” After working 3 years as a freelance management consultant I can tell you: “Hell yes, for sure!” But let me explain why?

Currently, everybody is lost in data (and more data / freelancers are coming)

Starting with the most critical issue first: Still too many projects do not get staffed and that is becoming a real problem - it harms the productivity of corporations to solve real world challenges. The reason projects do not get staffed is that intermediaries are getting “lost in data”: No access to the latest CVs and experiences, not knowing when freelancers will be available again, and all of that combined with semi-manual searches in databases with thousands of line items.

Freelancers: Good luck to get picked.

On top of that: the problem is becoming even more critical as more talents are joining the freelance market.

Lack of transparency

Existing intermediaries tend to think projects are the greatest good and share the projects only selectively with freelancers, who they think are suitable. The result: They are missing out on major talent - especially if they are working on old datasets. How do they know if an experienced automotive consultant has changed his focus to e-mobility? Are we really expecting consultants to update all their profiles manually on a regular basis? If the answer to both of these questions is “no” how can intermediaries match the right freelancer with the right project at the right time?

We are in a network economy (and nobody uses it)

The most underrated advantage of all is still untouched: The freelance network. I personally would love to open up my network to help fellow consultants to find a project which I might not be qualified for.

Social networks are everywhere but encouraging users to profit from it still seems unacceptable for most intermediaries.

User Experience like its “1999”

Let's assume you even find the right project or an intermediary finds you. Guess which picture reflects the application process best:

Correct, the last one…

So what's next?

It is time to build an operating system to bring transparency, simplicity, network and ease of use into the market - with fratch.io we are aiming to do just that. With the help of the latest AI technologies, we help freelance talent to find the right project at the right time.

@Freelancers: You want to be a part of it from day 1 - join us now! Signing up takes 3 minutes.