UXr Guild old homepage 1/3/24
Welcome to the UX Researchers’ Guild ...
Where independent researchers join together for mutual benefit
What Can The Guild Do for You?
Establish connections with research peers
Provide new work opportunities through the Guild
Save time marketing and managing your business
Be part of an association whose expertise clients can trust
What Can You Do for the Guild?
Join us!
Work, collaborate, and connect.
Volunteer for pro-bono initiatives
Invite a colleague to the Guild
Together We Can …
Unify our individual strengths as a guild
Share projects too large for one individual
Create a better way to work independently
Are you a researcher Interested in learning more?
Please visit our researchers’ page, read frequently asked questions, or apply to the Guild.
Are you a client interested in hiring a contract researcher?
Please visit our clients’ page, or contact us to find the best researcher for your project.
“Thank you, UXr Guild! I had an opening in my schedule and you filled it with a mobile usability study. The process was smooth, the people were nice to work with, and the payment was on time. I look forward to working with you again!”
Cory, Independent UX Researcher
How to Make Your Life as a Freelancer the Best it Can Be
How to Make Your Life as a Freelancer the Best it Can Be
Becoming a freelancer can provide flexibility and freedom, but freelance life is not without challenges. Join us as veteran freelancer Cory Lebson shares how to achieve success and overcome feelings of isolation, boredom, and loneliness. What he’s discovered is that it’s not just about the freelance work that you do, but how you structure your business to prevent being overwhelmed; how you build out and connect professionally with others; how you engage and involve yourself in unpaid UX activities and meetups; and how you intertwine your personal and professional identities to find overall satisfaction.
Cory Lebson has been a freelance UX researcher for 13 years. He is a former president of both the International and the Washington, DC, chapters of the User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA) and is the author of The UX Careers Handbook.
Cory Lebson has been a freelance UX researcher for 13 years. He is a former president of both the International and the Washington, DC, chapters of the User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA) and is the author of The UX Careers Handbook.
Please join us on Thursday, August 12 at 3:00 pm PT; 4:00 pm MT; 5:00 pm CT; 6:00 pm ET for an engaging presentation and Q&A.
Agenda
- 3:00 – 3:05 pm PT | Introductions
- 3:05 – 3:50 pm PT | Presentation and Q&A by Cory Lebson
- 3:50 – 4:00 pm PT | Giveaway Prizes
- 4:00 – 4:25 pm PT | Breakout Room Networking
Networking: We will facilitate small group networking after the event for those who are interested. There will be two 10-minute sessions for groups of four participants. We will also have a shared spreadsheet for those who would like to connect with other participants.
Q&A: You can submit questions for Cory to answer using the app Slido. Please enter event code: UXr-Cory, or click the button below.
We will award prizes at the end of the presentation, to members chosen from each group:
- Freelance UX Researchers LinkedIn Group
- Followers of the UXr.work LinkedIn page
- Participants on the call
The prizes for this event are The UX Careers Handbook, by Cory Lebson, $25 Amazon gift card.
Past Events
• How to Make Your Life as a Freelancer the Best it Can Be, August 12, 2021, via Zoom
– UX Research Freelance Work-Life Balance
• UXr Guild is Meeting UX Researchers in New York City, July 8, 2021, New York City
– How to Become a Freelance UX Researcher
UXr Leaders
UX Research Leaders
If you are a UX research manager, director, or leader, there’s a new group just for leaders to meet, network, and share ideas. We invite you to be among the first to attend UXr Leaders and begin reaping the benefits professionally and personally.
- Your organization may benefit from the insights and recommendations of other leaders, helping you arrive at better solutions faster.
- You may benefit personally from an expanded network, career opportunities, and offers to collaborate on projects. A vibrant community of peers provides many options.
- Peer networks can be very beneficial. with a small investment of time, as peers share how they address research, staffing, and career challenges.
- Your experience and expertise may be helpful to others in the group.
- This is a volunteer-led organization with no fees.
We hope you’ll join with us — we look forward to meeting you.
Experience Leaders Forum
Leadership in UX Research is more than managing projects—it’s about inspiring teams, overcoming challenges, and creating a lasting impact. This session is your chance to gain deep insights into what it takes to grow as a research leader. You’ll hear personal stories from leaders who’ve transitioned into management, tackle tough topics like conflict resolution and team dynamics, and explore proven strategies for retaining top talent and fostering growth in your team. Whether navigating leadership challenges or looking to take your skills to the next level, this forum will give you actionable tools and a supportive network to help you thrive. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in yourself and your future as a leader!
- Sarah Morgan, Ex-Research Director, FanDual
- Liz Freeman, Ex-Research Leader, FanDual, UserTesting
Please join us on Thursday, February 27, 2025 | 11 am PT | 2 pm ET
Free Registration: https://lu.ma/XLF2-25
This event is designed for those in leadership roles such as Research, Design, or Product Managers, Directors, etc. The Experience Leaders Forum (XLF) is presented by the UX Researchers’ Guild: https://uxrguild.com/
Once per quarter, we gather research leaders for a virtual meeting to discuss common challenges. We feature research leaders sharing lessons learned from their research and highlighting challenges they have faced and how they have addressed them. Each forum features a presentation, discussion, and networking with other leaders.
Attendance is limited to research leaders (managers, directors, etc.) based in the U.S. or Canada.
Past Events
• Growing Your Influence as a UX Research Leader, December 1, 2023
• Prioritizing Research Studies: Scaling the Impact of Your Research Team, February 2, 2023
• How to Prepare for a Layoff and Conduct a Layoff, November 17, 2022
Freelance UX Researcher in New York City, NY
Don't Miss Your Chance to Hear Imani Nichols and Meet UXr Guild
The UX Researcher’ Guild is coming to New York City to meet UX researchers. Whether you are already independent or just starting to plan for it, we want to help you succeed as an independent researcher.
Thursday, July 8, 2021
Time: 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Location: The Tank, 312 W 36th St, New York, NY 10018
7:00-7:30 Networking
7:30-8:30 Introductions and Program
8:30-9:00 Speed Interviews
Speakers: Imani Nichols
Topic: “How to Become a Freelance UX Researcher“
Imani Nichols is a UX researcher based in New York City. She is the founder of Yzzi Research, where she helps organizations understand their customers and coaches the next generation of UX researchers. In February 2021, she made the transition from being employed full-time to being a freelancer. She will share what she has learned to help others who want to become freelance UX researchers.
Be the first to see our new line of swag for UX researchers.
Everyone in attendance will receive a UXr gift.
Bring a UX research manager with you and enter to win an Apple Watch Series 3.
Register here to attend in-person in New York City.
Register here to watch a live-stream.
For the in-person meeting, we request that masks be worn (except while presenting).
We look forward to meeting you.
The UXr Guild team
Past Events
• How to Make Your Life as a Freelancer the Best it Can Be, August 12, 2021, via Zoom
– UX Research Freelance Work-Life Balance
• UXr Guild is Meeting UX Researchers in New York City, July 8, 2021, New York City
– How to Become a Freelance UX Researcher
How to Become a Freelance UX Researcher
How to Become a Freelance UX Researcher
Original presentation by Imani Nichols in New York City on July 8, 2021, simultaneously live streamed via Zoom.
View the recording or a copy of Imani’s presentation.
Imani Nichols began her UX research journey at the University of Virginia. After a stint with WeWork, she decided the heavy quantitative aspect of market research was not her favorite. She next worked for Octane where she created a research program from scratch and got back to working with users. Next, to fulfill the dream of one day working for herself, she formed Yzzi Research where she works as a freelance UX Researcher, produces Yzzi Research Podcast, and coaches other user experience researchers. Nichols’ presentation and journey to freelance UX Research emphasized the many different paths to UX Research that we see in the market today.
Defining UX Research At a high level, UX researchers talk directly to end-users of products to understand their experience and pain points. The resulting data is used for creating or enhancing the product, so users have an improved experience.
Defining Freelance Freelancers are self-employed individuals who can work jobs (or contracts) that vary in length for a few weeks or up to a year. Freelancers are not tied to one company, but rather can work for many different entities. Ultimately freelance UX Researchers do much the same job as regularly employed UX Researchers: they plan and execute research projects and then share the results with the stakeholders.
Who makes a good UX Researcher? There is no one personality type that dominates the field of UX Research. However, there are some common skills needed to be successful. First, research skills like conducting interviews, focus groups, usability testing, surveys, etc. Second, communication skills. This involves both talking and listening. Third, patience for people and technology. And fourth, the ability to handle the variety that freelancing brings.
A typical day-in-the-life for Nichols can include writing research plans, recruiting participants, conducting research, analyzing research notes, sharing insights with her team, and looking for new work. Every day is different.
How to become a UX Research freelancer? The first requirement to become a UX Research freelancer is to get experience. Perhaps you are already working full-time as a UX Researcher in a regular position. If not, you can consider volunteering for groups like US Digital Response and UX Rescue. Next, put your experience into an online portfolio that showcases your skills and knowledge.
Being a successful freelancer requires support from a community. Join Slack communities like UX Master, User Research Academy, and Hexagon UX. Join LinkedIn groups like Insights Assoc, Design+ Research Ops, and UX Professionals Network. Another option is to cold contact people on LinkedIn.
Consider fortifying your freelance business with other professionals. Hire a website designer. Get an accountant. Set up a legal business.
Knowing yourself and your skills is a must. Do a two-column self-audit. In the first column list “My skills” and in the second decide “Does this apply to UX research?”
Finally, find some clients. Setting up job alerts that feature key works like “freelance” and “contract” on sites like LinkedIn, SimplyHired, and Indeed will give you immediate access to companies looking to hire freelancers. Word of mouth amongst your network and promoting yourself on social media can also yield clients.
Thank you Imani for a very informative and engaging discussion.
By Amy D.D. Simpson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-simpson-austin/
Past Events
• How to Make Your Life as a Freelancer the Best it Can Be, August 12, 2021, via Zoom
– UX Research Freelance Work-Life Balance
• UXr Guild is Meeting UX Researchers in New York City, July 8, 2021, New York City
– How to Become a Freelance UX Researcher
UX Research Freelance Work-Life Balance
UX Research Freelance Work-Life Balance
(or How To Make Your Life As a Freelancer the Best It Can Be)
Original presentation by Cory Lebson on August 12, 2021, via Zoom
Click to view the recording of Cory’s presentation.
Cory Lebson has been a UX research freelancer exclusively since 2008. He has a microbusiness, Lebsontech LLC, with a few subcontractors. His book, The UX Careers Handbook, will be out in a second edition in early 2022. He has been a leader for the international and Washington, D. C., chapters of the UXPA. He teaches classes on LinkedIn Learning and has a blog.
These Are Anxious Times The state of the world is stressful, but now is as good as any time to become a freelancer. Lebson became a freelancer in the midst of The Great Recession. Outsiders often think freelancers are off having fun in the sun and that they can work from anywhere. But the reality is that freelancing can be really lonely. Often there are no colleagues, and no friends around, especially during Covid. While this can feel isolating, there are things to do to find a balanced, happy place.
Staying Busy There is a level of risk in freelancing, but there are risks in any job. One of the stressful parts of UX research freelancing is getting enough work to keep busy. Lebson’s work philosophy is that there are many small puzzle pieces that fit together for a successful UX research freelance career. His favorite approach is mixing things up by not putting all the eggs in one basket. Having a big contract can be wonderful, but it was difficult when it came to an end overnight. It’s important to pay attention to other, smaller projects, and keep many irons in the fire. It’s okay to take a big contract, but it’s critical to put out feelers for future work even when you are busy with current work.
Being an Introvert or Extrovert Doesn’t Matter If you are interested in UX, you care about people. Their goals and needs become your priority. It doesn’t matter if you are introverted or extroverted because ultimately, you still have to do the work. People are the most interesting and challenging part of the puzzle. Meeting and interacting with them is important.
Is Remote Work Forever? Before the pandemic, Lebson enjoyed traveling for work and the mental reset of dropping into a new place. His happy place is high-touch, customized research. Covid made that hard because of reduced travel. Ultimately, he was able to continue research in person by observing Covid protocols and social distancing. Will place matter again? Yes. Place matters. UX will not remain fully remote. Observation matters.
Being Flexible Is Key to Workplace Happiness Flexibility is another puzzle piece. In UX research freelance work–and in any UX work–being able to fit into multiple situations is critical. Build in buffer time to your schedule. Work-life balance is important for a UX research freelance life. Do not try to fill every moment of your calendar. Balance the ramping up and the ramping down of projects. Lebson tries to book work 3-4 weeks ahead and keeps buckets of time available, which allow him to say yes to small projects (or other things) that come up. It is always disappointing to have to say no to projects that are too big, but maintaining balance is key.
Another tip is to be flexible with travel plans (when anything can happen) so you don’t miss any scheduled work. Be flexible when scheduling testing so you don’t knock yourself out. Build exercise into every day for physical and mental wellness. Don’t pack your schedule; you will get overwhelmed and that is not good for physical or mental health. Develop materials (testing scripts, etc.) that are adaptable using tools such as Google docs on Google drive, so that last-minute changes can be accommodated.
Remember to Let Things Go It took Lebson half his career to learn that you can’t put too much emotional energy into saving the world all the time. Do your best, and that’s good enough.
Keep Learning Happiness is keeping UX work going even when not getting paid. This is different than not getting money. You might get training or other value in exchange for your work, so you are not just working for free. If work slows, figure out a way to keep learning: presentations, LinkedIn Learning, videos, podcasts, blogs. Even when working, spend 2-3 hours a week learning something new about UX.
Get Involved Wherever you are, join your local organizations for UX research freelancers or your chapter of UXPA. Connect with the people. A loose association with other UX peers will be beneficial within whatever industry you work. Really attend events and connect with others. Find your virtual community, too. Use #UX to find conversations and engage in the UX community, regardless of Covid. Be a leader because helping others ultimately helps yourself. For Lebson, involvement in the UXPA for social connection ultimately helped freelance business. Share your thoughts on blogs, publications, websites. People will find you. You create your own serendipity.
Beyond Work Another tip for work-life balance as a UX research freelancer: Find your happy place and figure yourself out. The lockdown did prompt a lot of soul searching. Lebson discovered he needed more outdoor time, as well as more sensory and visual stimulation. He bought exercise equipment, biometric monitors, and a VR headset to improve work life during the pandemic.
Past Events
• How to Make Your Life as a Freelancer the Best it Can Be, August 12, 2021, via Zoom
– UX Research Freelance Work-Life Balance
• UXr Guild is Meeting UX Researchers in New York City, July 8, 2021, New York City
– How to Become a Freelance UX Researcher
Hiring a Freelance UX Researcher
Hiring a Freelance UX Researcher
Why Hire a Freelance or Contract UX Researcher?
Hiring a freelance researcher is the fastest way to bring expertise to your team. Hiring a full-time employee can take months, but a freelancer can often be hired in days or weeks. This may enable you to conduct additional studies, or have an additional researcher to moderate tests, conduct interviews, or organize and analyze data. If you need a specific area of expertise, hiring a freelancer can bring that capability to your team very quickly.
Where Can You Hire UX Research Consultants?
The Guild brings together the best research consultants from the U.S. and Canada, so you don’t have to hunt for them one by one. Whether you have a 6-week study or a 6-month contract, we have a research consultant for you.
Agencies typically charge a 60-100% markup to place contractors or conduct studies. The Guild charges a markup as low as 19.9%— helping clients get the best research at the best rate. We also offer fixed bids on projects. By using the Guild, you help independent researchers succeed.
“The Guild has been stellar at providing exactly the right moderators at exactly the moment we need them. The first time we worked together was a typical ‘fire drill’ –a study popped up unexpectedly, and I needed an experienced moderator within days. This client was particularly important to my business, so I needed to have an extra-high level of confidence in this moderator.
I called the Guild with my requirements, and in just a few days, they provided options to choose from, each with relevant research expertise. I chose a very experienced researcher and the moderation and insight provided were both top notch. My client was very happy, and UXr Guild solidified its position as my researcher resource.”
Meredith, Agency owner
Independent UX Research Professionals
Our researchers are self-employed professionals who offer their expertise on a per-project or hourly basis. They typically work remotely, but they can also travel by special arrangement to conduct in-person testing sessions or interviews, present findings, or meet with stakeholders.
Guild Research Teams
Research projects requiring multiple researchers are led by a research director who plans and oversees the study, with other staff necessary to conduct the research, gather and analyze data, and report findings. The research director ensures that proper protocols are followed for participant privacy, data compliance, and accurate analysis.
If you are an enterprise research leader, we invite you to learn more about UXr Leaders. This group facilitates learning and networking among research leaders across the U.S.
Periodically, we feature Guild researchers who are available for work. If you would like to receive an email with information about our featured researchers, subscribe here.
Freelance UX Researchers for Start-ups
If your start-up is too new or small to have a full-time researcher or research team, you still need the insights that research provides to guide your product development or service design. Hiring a freelance researcher may allow you to gain valuable insights from your customers in just a few weeks or months, to refine your offering and accelerate product/market fit. Research at the earliest stages of product development is arguably the most valuable. A freelance research consultant can bring industry experience, product experience, and familiarity with the best testing methods and tools to obtain the insights your need.
Should You Hire an Employee or Independent Contractor?
How do you decide whether to hire a temporary W-2 employee ora freelance researcher (1099 independent contractor)? The first consideration is what level of expertise you need. Senior researchers and consultants often prefer to work independently. If you need that level of expertise, you’re more likely to find it among independent contractors. Secondly, what level of control do you want to have over the researcher? If you control where, when, and how work is done and provide the facilities and equipment to conduct studies, that suggests an employer-employee relationship. If you wield less control and the researcher has additional clients, that is typically viewed as independent contracting, which allows researchers to have more freedom and reduces employer expenses.
How to Hire an Independent Contractor?
How can employers legally hire those who want to be classified and work as independent contractors? Some states are especially keen to protect employees from misclassification as independent contractors. They want workers to have all the benefits and protections afforded employees and have raised the burden of proof for those who want to work independently. The key to a successful IC engagement is clearly demonstrating independent contractor status.
Legally Hiring Freelancers, Contractors, and Consultants
The IRS and each state use either the common law or ABC test to assess whether the employer has sufficient behavioral control (where, when, and how the researcher works) and financial control to constitute an employer-employee relationship. Both the Borello test and the ABC test of California’s AB5 assume workers are employees unless they are shown to be independent contractors.
When examining the relationship of the parties, if the researcher provides services for multiple clients, and their work is outside the normal domain of their clients, those are important indications that the researcher is an independent contractor. Behavioral control, financial control, and the relationship of the parties are the three means of demonstrating independence.
Contract UX Researchers or Consultants
Contract UX researchers or research consultants who are independent contractors are not subject to the direct behavioral or financial control of a single employer. Since they are not employees, companies are not required to provide employment benefits. Those who choose independent contracting prefer this arrangement. They typically work remotely, maintain several clients, and may bill hourly or on a fixed-bid basis. They enjoy having control over which clients and projects they accept and the freedom to work in the way that is most suitable for them and each project.