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Jon Shaw – Agency Client Services Winner
Winning an award from Xchangeteam this year was a fantastic surprise and totally unexpected. It’s great to see that freelancers are being given an opportunity to get some recognition for the work they do, which can be easily overlooked when slotting into a role for a brief assignment. As a long term freelancer, I often go into companies at short notice and for short contracts so, while good results and happy clients are the goal, the real impact of your work can be difficult to gauge.
I have spent the last few years working mainly agency side in PR where client satisfaction is the ultimate goal. To win the award in the Agency Client Services category is therefore all the more pleasing. In the last week since the awards ceremony I have already seen an upturn in the number and quality of the roles I am being suggested for which is great to see and will hopefully lead to some exciting opportunities in the future.
Zoe Sobol – PR & Comms & Overall Winner
I was so delighted to have been shortlisted for the PR Freelancer of the Year 2011 category as I had been the previous year. In 2010 I was highly commended for my work with branding agency, Interbrand. I was as thrilled for my commendation on the night as I would have been to win – as it’s voted for by my peers, any industry recognition offered exposure beyond my existing networking stream.
I attended the event this year with the same view as I had the last, that being shortlisted was kudos enough but (secretly) to have left the Awards without that ‘star,’ I’d have been disappointed. I’ve worked on numerous campaigns throughout the nomination period but I was sure that the project I led for ActionAid would offer the judging panel real insight in to my strategy, execution and results.
It was a great night all in all, relaxed with freelancers doing what they do best; networking the room. I nerve rackingly waited for the final award of the night and watching the intro to the winner, though with everything pointing in my direction, I didn’t believe it until I saw my name up on the screen in black and white. I won! Winning is just beyond expectation and to have left with the coveted Overall Freelancer of the Year Award was truly a surprise and I’m still totally thrilled.
Karen McElroy – Marketing & Events Winner
The big smoke could be a million miles away from my Burton-upon-Trent canal-side location. But, it’s not every day you get short listed for an award. That’s why I took my first trip to London in three years!
Now don’t think I’m a country bumpkin! During the journey to the awards I reflected on the unique lifestyle of a freelancer. We continually embark on new journeys with fresh challenges. Technology allows us to network and operate from where we choose to be.
Often being paid can be the main form of recognition for a freelancer. And that’s fine. We move in, work hard, deliver results and move out. That’s what I enjoy, I really do.
But being named a Freelancer of the Year stopped me in my tracks. Why? It feels great that my work has been professionally judged and recognised.
Listening to the achievements of other winners reminded me of the talented industry we operate in. The poignant words of Andrew Burke made me optimistic for the future.
Today I’m back beside the canal and a boat has just drifted by. It’s a Sunday and I’m working – but that’s the life of an award winning freelancer!
Jo Murphy – Content & Editorial Winner
Winning the Freelancer of the Year Award transforms your confidence, contacts book and potential to collaborate. Xchangeteam describes us freelancers as unsung heroes, but it’s about so much more than slogging away behind the scenes; it’s about how we make an impact on the frontline.
Winning the editorial and content category isn’t all down to having the ability to write. Instead it highlights how a freelance writer can manage and deliver content through as many channels as necessary. Everyone needs content everywhere, from iPhone apps to animations and websites. Every brand needs a tone of voice and accompanying writing style guidelines. And it’s a bonus if a freelance writer can keep the communications wheels well-oiled through in-house training.
So this award gives us winners a fantastic opportunity to shout about all of the above and to let people know how much value a freelancer can truly add to a business. But that’s not all; the award also opens the door to collaboration. Imagine hiring a team of award-winning freelancers to deliver your project. Then imagine the results…
Thank you Xchangeteam and congratulations to all the winners.
