There are currently more than 57 million freelancers in the United States, and a recent study predicts that by 2027, around half of the American workforce will be made up of freelance professionals.
If you’re a business owner, there’s never been a better time to consider hiring freelancers for your team.
But, how do you find the best talent in a crowded market? We’re here to help make it easier for you. Keep reading to learn how to navigate the freelance marketplace to find the best fit for your company’s needs.
Where to Find the Best Freelancers
Once you decide you’re ready to hire a freelancer, you have to actually know where to find them. Fortunately, the internet makes it easy! There are countless online freelancing platforms you can browse to find talented people with the exact skills you need. Many of these sites also include reviews from previous gigs, so you have a better idea of who you should hire.
You can also explore portfolio websites, where freelancers will include samples of their work. This is a great way to find creative freelancers like writers and graphic designers because you can see real examples of what they’ve done in the past.
How to Evaluate Freelancers
Once you’ve found a few potential candidates, you’ll need to decide if they’re the right fit for your business needs. Start by reading any reviews that are available and feel free to ask for references from past clients. Next, take a closer look at their portfolio to see if it matches the kind of work you need. You might also ask for specific examples to see if they have experience in your industry.
One of the biggest perks of hiring freelancers is that there’s less of a commitment than you’d have when hiring a full-time employee. So, why not offer candidates a small test project to see how they do? Just remember that you should pay them for their time, even if you’re using the project solely as an evaluation method. If it works out, great! Otherwise, you don’t have much on the line.
Managing Freelancers the Right Way
Once you find the right freelancers, set them up for success by knowing how to manage them the right way. Make sure you communicate with them just as you would a full-time employee, so they understand expectations and any deadlines.
Just like you expect them to meet deadlines, make sure that you pay them on time, every time. To make things easier for yourself and your freelancers, be sure to create paystub documents to keep on file.
Finally, make sure your freelancers have the context they need to be successful. Freelance workers often feel out of the loop, so make sure they’re included in relevant conversations and meetings.
Hiring Freelancers for Your Business
After reading through this quick overview on the most important things to know when hiring freelancers, you’re ready to take the next step! Bringing freelance talent onto your team can help your business grow in new and exciting ways.
Interested in learning more helpful business tips? Browse through our other articles and check back often for new content.