Introduction
Hiring a freelancer can be a great way to bolster your team without having to hire a permanent employee. It is a great way to get a specific skill set when you need it. However, there are so many incredibly talented black freelancers that are overlooked for opportunities. With the diverse experience and expertise black freelancers can offer, organisations who fail to attract and hire black freelancers are massively missing out on contributions that can ultimately diversify a project. If you’re unsure on why you should hire black freelancers specifically this blog gives some insight.
-
-
- Providing a unique perspective
-
There are many reasons why organisations should hire black freelancers. One reason is that black freelancers can provide a unique cultured perspective to organisations. They can offer insights into the black community that organisations may not be able to get from other sources. Additionally, black freelancers can help organisations to connect better with black audiences and build relationships with external diverse suppliers / partners. Black freelancers have unique perspectives and experiences that can enrich your company’s culture and bring new ideas to the table. An example of a brand that is successful due to its project evolving people of color, is Nike. Nike has made a strong commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within its own organization, as well as in its marketing and advertising campaigns. The company has also launched initiatives to support the Black community, such as its Black History Month collection and its partnership with the National Black Justice Coalition.
On the other hand, a brand that has failed as a result of its racism is Dove. In 2017, Dove faced backlash after a controversial advertisement featuring a Black woman removing her shirt to reveal a white woman sparked accusations of racism. The company apologized for the ad and pledged to do better in the future, but the incident damaged the brand’s reputation and led to a decrease in sales. Not only did the project or ad fail but there was a decrease in their sales.
-
-
- Diversion and Inclusion
-
Organizations that hire black freelancers can also show their commitment to diversity and inclusion. This can help to build trust with the black community and foster a positive image for the organization. Statistics show that black men earn $0.87 for every dollar a white man earns, and black women earn $0.75. Hiring more black freelancers is only the beginning of closing the disparities between blacks and other races. Their expertise is unique, and as such, they’ll bring something new to your organisation’s work. By doing so, they can gain valuable insights, build relationships, and show their commitment to diversity.
-
-
- Target Marketing
-
They’re more likely to be aware of challenges that black consumers may come across and can help you stay relevant by addressing those issues in your messaging or marketing. A good marketing strategy should be targeted and the message should resonate with the audience. Having black freelancers on the team can contribute immensely to a good marketing strategy. Incorporating the perspectives and experiences of Black people into the marketing strategy can help to ensure that the brand’s messaging and advertising is authentic and resonates with Black consumers. And what better people to know the experience of black people than black people. This can help to build trust and loyalty among Black consumers and ultimately drive business success.
-
-
- Better Understanding of wider audiences
-
They’re going to be able to communicate in ways that other people simply can’t, because they’ve lived experiences that non-black people will never understand.
They have an understanding of how cultural differences can impact communication and behaviour, which means they’ll be able to relate better with people from different backgrounds than other white or non-black freelancers might.
-
-
- Highly Motivated
-
They’re motivated by the opportunity to learn and grow as a person, so they’ll work harder than most other freelancers who are just looking for a paycheck (even if it is a big one). Black freelancers have not historically been selected , they put in their best effort whenever an opportunity arises. They always have to prove themselves and as such they try to outdo other people. Black people, face systemic barriers and discrimination that can make it more difficult for them to succeed in the workforce. For example, Black people are often paid less than their white counterparts and are less likely to have access to the same opportunities and resources. Regardless of these systemic inequalities that make it more difficult for Black people to succeed in the workforce, including as freelancers, black people are creating communities that have been providing them with resources and mentorship to be successful
Conclusion
Overall, there are many good reasons for companies to hire black freelancers. They bring a unique perspective and skillset to the table, and can help contribute to a more diverse and inclusive workplace. Additionally, black freelancers often have strong networks within their communities that they can tap into for referrals and business opportunities. And finally, hiring black freelancers is simply good business sense – studies have shown that diversity in the workplace leads to increased creativity and innovation. So if your company is looking to add some fresh perspectives and ideas, and hire black freelancers then connect with us on [email protected] to see how we can help.
