As a business owner, you’re probably aware of the benefits of hiring a freelancer to help you complete tasks or projects.
There’s a lot of high quality freelancers out there available for projects. The problem is, they’re not always easy to find. If you don’t have an existing network of reliable freelancers, it can be a bit of a challenge finding ones to help you complete a project.
Good news is that there are plenty of online platforms where freelancers advertise themselves and make themselves more visible. We’ll go through some of the more reliable platforms and sites for hiring freelancers below to help you get started.
Upwork
Upwork is one of the most popular freelance platforms, with over 12 million freelancers on the site. With a wide variety of categories, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for.
There are 3 different ways to find talent. The first way is to use the ‘Talent Marketplace’, where you post a job or project and let freelancers submit a proposal. You’re then able to select an applicant that you feel is the best fit.
Another way to find talent is to browse through ‘Project Catalogs’. Freelancers create ‘Projects’ where they offer various services. You can search for specific ‘Projects’ and purchase them. The last way to find talent is to use a ‘Talent Scout’. This is when an Upwork recruiter helps you find the right talent for your job/project.
Payments aren’t released until the project is complete and you have approved it. So you have some piece of mind that you aren’t losing money for incomplete work.
Fiverr
Probably the most cost effective option, Fiverr is also one of the most popular freelance sites. It comes with a larger talent pool than most other platforms and a wide variety of categories.
Being the most cost effective option also means that there will be freelancers that offer subpar quality work. It’s up to you to do your due diligence and find a freelancer that is capable of getting the job done.
Pricing is set per project and is established before the project begins. Just like Upwork, you do not have to pay until the work is complete and you are satisfied.
People Per Hours
To get started with this platform, you’ll have to fill out a form to post a job/project. From there, the platform will match you with freelancers who will have the option to send a proposal. You have the freedom to pick the best candidate.
You also have the option to browse through the different freelancers on the platform, without posting a job/project.
Before starting a project you have to send a small deposit upfront, but you do not have to send the full amount until the project is complete and you are happy with it.
Freelancer.com
Freelancer.com gives you the ability to post a job/project, and let freelancers place bids. You’re free to pick the highest bidder or the freelancer who best fits the needs of your project. You can view past works and reviews of all freelancers who post a bid before accepting one, to give you more piece of mind.
This is a very popular platform as well. One that can also be cost effective, which means it can lead to lower quality work.
Dribbble/Behance
If you’re looking for a designer, there may be no better place to look than design centric sites like Dribbble and Behance.
They are some of the biggest online communities for designers. You’ll find designers of all experience and capability levels, both junior and senior level designers.
It’s very easy to see what type of work a potential candidate is capable of. Just take a look at their page, and you’ll get a pretty good idea. It’s also very easy to network with these designers if you feel like they can help you with a future project. Just give them a follow so you can come back to them later.
Social Media
Although unconventional, social media platforms are a great way to find freelancers because you’ll be able to find people who are extremely passionate about their craft and field. If you find someone who posts about their craft on a regular basis, it’s a pretty good indication that they are passionate and committed to getting better.
Visual platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are great if you’re looking for visual designers because a quick look at their profiles should tell you if they are capable of delivering what you need.
The downside is that there is a wide range of quality and pricing, so you may have to spend more time networking and finding the right candidate.
It’s also easy to build long-term relationships with these freelancers. By following them you can easily stay up-to-date with them and keep in touch for future projects.
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