Why does freelancing grow in the US and shrink in much of Europe? That was the opening question of the panel on 14 May 2025 with Thomas Maas, Marc Clemens and Matthew Mottola. Their answers are their own views of that moment and may be out of date.
What the panel covers
- Reasons for the German downturn: regulation and cost, a weak economy (service providers are laid off first) and outsourcing to cheaper regions. Clemens says Asia has changed from a "workbench" into a place of equal quality. Mottola adds that localisation, getting into markets without a headquarters, is one of the fastest-growing reasons to hire freelancers.
- The shift in Germany: Maas sees fewer projects and more Arbeitnehmerüberlassung ("body leasing"), where the freelancer is formally employed. Freelancers dislike it, he says, but regulation pushes them there.
- The US view: Mottola claims that for every 100 lost jobs, about 50 people start freelancing there, and that US states with tight classification rules saw lower GDP. He says governments tend to look at the platforms rather than at single freelancers.
- Advice for freelancers: diversify risk (platforms, recruiters, your own network), use downtime to upskill, especially in AI, and be visible.
- Sell more, but in a German way: Clemens suggests 20 percent of the American sales effort. Mottola says Americans are good at stating the outcome: "I made you or saved you money". He advises specialising, quoting results and not following influencers.
- Starting out: find a niche, test it, maybe start part-time. Mottola calls a freelance business a good one because it can be repeated and standardised.
- Tariffs: Mottola sees demand for help with supply chains and a chance for Europeans. Clemens mentions a "buy European" trend.
Who it's for
Freelancers who want the German situation in a global frame.
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