How to Hire Freelancers

The freelancers jobs include mobile app development, content writing, graphic design, social media management, animation, and video creation.

A freelance job is one where a person works for themselves rather than working for a company. Paying income taxes is, therefore the sole responsibility of a freelancer.

An example of a freelancer would be an independent journalist who reports on stories of their own choosing and sells them to the highest bidder. This is because they are not employees, freelancers do not usually enjoy benefits from their employers, such as health insurance or retirement plans. Gig workers may also be considered freelancers.

How to Hire Freelancers

1. Ask for Referrals

Reach out to professionals connected within the organisation, or in the industry to ask if they could recommend any freelancers with whom they have worked in the past. Referrals help spread job opportunities and do not require much effort from you. Although creating great work for clients and building long-term relationships should already be a huge part of a business, referrals allow you to capitalize on efforts you’re already putting in.

2. Freelancing Platforms

Referring to online marketplaces like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr through which you can connect with various freelancers, and review their portfolios along with the pay scale.

Freelancing platforms enable the business to easily fill roles in a short period of time. This is ideal for employers that have particularly busy periods during the year that requires an extra set of employees. Hiring freelancers is relatively easier than recruiting full-time employees.

3. Portfolio Sites

Freelancers usually post their best work on their portfolio sites, like Behance, GitHub, or Dribble to grab the attention of recruiters. Many freelancers use their portfolio as an introduction page to their work. Their websites are not how clients find them initially, but a way for them to learn more once they are introduced through LinkedIn, or professional contact.

4. Online Job Posting

You could post your freelancer job online on post sites, like indeed, LinkedIn, or glassdoor. As these are wider networks, there is a high possibility to find the best talent for your job role. An online job posting is an announcement of an open job position, freelancers can apply for open positions, and work with clients from there.

5. Writing a Suitable Job Description

A detailed description is essential to find qualified freelancers. The job summary addressed to a freelancer should define the expectation clearly. Job descriptions are essential to the recruitment process.

A well-written job description should attract qualified candidates, inform them about the company, as well as the role they’re applying for, and set expectations for the employees.

6. Assessing the Right Candidate

Hiring a freelancer must have the necessary skills required for the job. The process involved in hiring them is quite tedious. To shortlist your entries, you could add a task within your job description, and consider the candidate who took the initial effort to complete and submit it along with the portfolio.

The only way to assess your candidates is to look at their previous work and see if their qualifications match your work. No matter the job role, always ask for portfolios and samples of previous work. Any reputable freelancer should have the file ready with the best work that they can send over.

7. Defining a PayScale

The cost incurred in hiring a freelancer depends on the job profile and technical expertise of the freelancer. Hiring managers should be aware of how the location of a freelancer could influence their pay. This is because remote freelancers work from home, but in some circumstances when they have to meet the client, traveling expenses have to be managed.

8. Signing a Freelancer Contract

This contract is between the freelancer and the hiring firm. This contract is essential to build a strong relationship between the company and the freelancer. To determine the right budget for your project, ask around and see what other clients are paying for the kind of work you need. Research online and connect with your network of business partners, friends, and LinkedIn connections.

9. Build a Network of Freelancers

Once you find the professionals you enjoy working with, focus on building a network of freelancers on which you rely. This is to ensure that, whenever you need anyone to do a job for you, there is a pool of professionals to choose from. In addition, you can recommend freelancers to others.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are freelancers self-employed?

Most often, freelancers work as independent contractors for an agreed-upon price with their clients.

2. How many hours do freelancers work?

Freelancers work for long hours. For freelancers, time is money and they work for clients’ pay.

3. Do freelancers work from home?

Freelancing is one of the fastest, most affordable, and easiest ways to get started working from home, especially if you offer services in a skill you already excelled in.

4. How do freelancers get clients?

Freelancers get clients from online job postings, using a portfolio, social media, and networking.

Closing Thoughts

Freelancing is a type of self-employment, instead of being employed by a company, freelancers tend to work as self-employed contractors, delivering their services on a contract or according to the project’s timeframe. Freelancers are considered independent workers, and agree to a predetermined fee, based on the time and effort required to complete the task.

An organisation that wants to hire freelancers can ask for referrals, can choose from freelancing platforms, portfolio sites, and online job posts, write a suitable job description, assess the right candidate, define a payscale, sign a freelance contract, and build a network of freelancers.