With an estimated 2.2 million freelancers in the UK and over a billion worldwide, high demand saw the magazine reach its target just two weeks into a five-week crowdfunding campaign, say the publishers.
Created by freelance marketer Sophie Cross and designer Angela Lyons, Freelancer Magazine is a quarterly printed magazine containing feature stories, interviews, freelancer-specific business advice, news and events “for a freelance life less ordinary”.
Sophie says: “Although we will make sure it’s available in a digital format, it was important to us that Freelancer Magazine was - first and foremost - a printed item. We’re all on our screens more than ever and, if you’re anything like me, there are about 2000 tabs open and an ever-growing list of bookmarked yet unread articles.
“We want Freelancer Magazine to be ‘pore-worthy’ enough that when you get your hands on it, it prompts you to have a proper break, put the kettle on and soak up what our fantastic contributors have helped pull together. We’ll be featuring a huge mix of the most talented freelancers and small businesses out there. Sharing stories and information to help anyone on their freelance journey and proving that this isn’t a ‘stop-gap’ career.”
According to the publishers, the 80+ page, full colour 21cm square mag would be at home on any bookshelf, and means you can fold the corners of your favourite pages over to refer back to again and again.
Sophie adds: “We’ve got more than 100 contributors lined up, which means every beautifully designed issue is varied, fresh, fun and informative. It’s crammed with content that is both inspirational and attainable. And because there’s such a diverse range of voices in its make up, there should be something to resonate with every reader.”
“We knew there was a gap in the market for a magazine by freelancers for freelancers, but this really proved how strong that demand actually is.
“Apparently less than half of Kickstarter campaigns are successfully funded, and the majority of those are for less than £7500, yet we successfully reached our target of £12,750 in just two weeks. Freelancer really beat the odds and proved that there’s a strong market out there for a magazine like this.
“The reaction so far has been amazing; Lauren Laverne featured the mag on BBC Radio 6 Music, it was chosen as a Kickstarter 'Project We Love', and the pledges are still coming in thick and fast, along with some great advertisers like Brompton Bike Hire and Motion Nutrition.
“We started as we meant to go on, with an epic live-streamed launch party on Twitch hosted by issue 1’s cover stars; DJs Dom C and Mary Rose, which got lots of people involved and excited about the mag.
“Now we can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks of the first issue. From Clubhouse and creative burnout, to business insurance and biscuit advice – we’ve got it covered.”
The first issue of Freelancer Magazine will be printed and delivered to subscribers in April 2021 and also stocked at magCulture London and Magazine Brighton.
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