How to Find Freelancers? 12 Tips for Your Business

Learn How to Find Freelancers for your Business with These 12 Tips

Carolina

They say it takes a village to accomplish anything, and that’s definitely true when it comes to building your business.

Whether that’s a business partner or the support of loved ones, there’s an endless number of ways you can get the help you need to create a business that is sustainable and successful.

One of the most powerful resources you can use to boost your business and your Content Marketing strategy is the service of freelancers.

If you’re wondering how to find freelancers and why you need them, read on below.

5. Look at Reviews on these Reputable Websites

It’s important to look for reputable freelancers that have a plethora of reviews and detailed information about their services.

Unfortunately, there are known to be scammers on the web that pose as freelancers but really have no experience in freelancing (or the intention to provide services).

Find the best freelancers by looking on their portfolios for information such as:

How long they’ve been freelancing
Previous work
Previous clients
What clients say about them
Their educational or other relevant work experience
Professional headshot
Biography

6. Interview Multiple Freelancers

Once you find a couple of freelancers that catch your eye, make sure to reach out to multiple ones to ask for their availability, budget, and experience.

Reaching out to multiple freelancers allows you to choose the best one for the job, and saves you the headache of having to go back to the drawing board to find another freelancer.

Don’t be surprised if your first choice doesn’t end up being the best fit. Sometimes, the conversation reveals work habits or priorities that just don’t line up with what you need—nothing wrong with that, it’s just part of the process. Even if you feel rushed to fill the position, taking the time to speak with a few different candidates can save you a lot of future headaches, both in terms of quality and communication.

Paying attention to the way freelancers answer your questions is just as important as what’s on their CV. If someone’s just firing off canned responses or seems distracted, it’s a red flag. On the flip side, if a freelancer engages thoughtfully and asks you pointed questions about your project, you know they’re at least invested. That sort of back-and-forth can be more telling than any test project or glowing portfolio piece.

7. Ask Samples for Freelance Work

Many freelancers will have online portfolios of their previous work. However, if this is not available, ask freelancers to send you samples of their work, such as:

Photographs of their work (if it’s photography, sculpture, or physical contract work)
Documents of previous articles
Links to websites they’ve helped develop
News articles that cover their work

8. Consider Trials and Initial Costs

If you find a freelancer you really love, help seal the deal by offering them a trial run for your business.

Start off with a simple assignment, such as designing a homepage or writing an article.

Make sure to offer compensation for this trial, and understand that your freelancer might ask for more compensation if you decide to hire them for your project.

9. Look at Individual Portfolio Websites Directly

You can also make your freelance hiring journey easier by navigating to a freelancer’s portfolio first.

There are various portfolio sites where you can view someone’s online resume and previous work.

Freelancers oftentimes have their own website, so you can hire them directly instead of going through a third-party marketplace website.

On these websites, you can view photography, digital advertisement designs, websites, and more.

Some portfolio websites include:

Muckrack for writers
LinkedIn for all types of professionals (including freelancers)
Journo Portfolio for writers and bloggers
Flickr for photographers
Behance for UX and UI designers

10. Put an Advertisement Online

Yet another way to find a freelancer is to put an advertisement online through traditional hiring websites. These include websites such as Indeed, Jobs.com, Monster.com, and Craigslist.

However, be wary of these websites, and make sure to never put personal information on the advertisement.

Include in your online advertisement for your freelancer work requirements:

Skills necessary, such as experience with WordPress Plugins, writing, editing, or translating.
Number of years minimum needed for your project.
Pay for the project (This is a must, since freelancers are in high demand and finding the right one is crucial).
Attached samples of their work.
Resume or cover letter to explain why they’re interested.
What your business goals are (in brief).

You can leave these job postings on for as long as necessary, and hopefully get some applicants who are highly interested and can provide you with high-quality freelancing work.

11. Offer Good Compensation

As mentioned above, compensation is everything when trying to find a freelancer.

Unlike regular employees, freelancers are contractors that do not make any benefits, get paid time off, or have a steady stream of income.

Freelancers will always choose the highest paying gig in order to make ends meet. Respect the amount of time it takes for a freelancer to create your work. Offer more compensation for a highly qualified freelancer.

This will ensure you get in touch with the very best expert who can help launch your business.

12. Consider a Lawyer for a Contract

You should also have legal representation handy when looking for a freelancer.

It’s always a good idea to have a contract drafted between your freelancer and your company. A contract ensures your freelancer gets paid on time and fairly, and the work you are asking for gets accomplished on time.

A lawyer will help you create a contract with the appropriate language necessary.

You may also be interested in these articles:

It can be difficult to manage a business, but freelancers can help take the stress out of your day by providing you with their valuable expertise.