Top Factors to Consider When Searching for Freelance Talent

The freelancing industry has skyrocketed in recent years because of its flexibility and efficiency. More employers are now realizing that not all organizational tasks need to be managed on-premise. Employees can still work from home and deliver as per the set deadlines. For this reason, employers are outsourcing some of their business tasks so that they can focus on essential business growth matters. Also, job seekers nowadays look for flexibility rather than the perks offered to work in-house. While many businesses prefer hiring freelancers, it is challenging to find those that meet your company’s standards. That is why you must understand the top factors to consider when searching for freelance talent to avoid hiring the wrong candidates.

Freelancers vs Remote Workers

Many individuals do not know the difference between a freelancer and a remote worker. Therefore, to ensure we are all on the same page regarding the talent to hire, let’s start by understanding the difference between the two. 

A freelancer is an individual hired by a company or client to complete a specific task without worrying about work requirements set by the client. They are contract workers that work per the agreed terms. In contrast, a remote worker also works full-time or part-time but has to adhere to work requirements set by the company they work for. Remote workers are part of a company’s employee benefits and compensation plan, although they are not required to work on-premise. 

Note that freelancers are flexible and while they work for you, they can also undertake tasks from other clients. Remote workers are usually permanent employees and are not allowed to work with other companies while undertaking specific roles.

Benefits of Hiring a Freelancer

Hiring freelance talent has a lot of benefits, and we list below a few to give you an insight into why you should also consider such employees.

1. No Need to Find an Office Space

Managing an office space can be costly to most businesses, especially startups. You not only have to cater for the rent and renovations but invest in equipments and furniture. Working with freelancers keeps you away from this stress since there is no need for you to provide a physical place of work. Instead, you only need to invest in communication and collaboration tools to monitor their progress. Investing in such tools is way cheaper than managing office space. 

2. Affordable and Highly Skilled

Freelance workers are free to work with multiple clients, thus willing to offer their expertise and services at lower rates than hiring a full-time employee. In addition, you get to explore different skills, thanks to the advancing technology that allows you to reach candidates anywhere across the globe. 

3. Saves Time

It is crucial that you find experienced freelancers by building a solid freelancer talent pool. This way, you get to save on onboarding and training costs that usually drain businesses’ finances. Experienced freelancers know what you want from them and there is no need to keep overlooking their shoulders. This gives you time to focus on other essential business tasks like marketing your employer brand and attracting the right audience or clients. 

Things to Consider When Searching For Freelance Talent

Although finding a reliable and trustworthy freelancer can be challenging, you need to start by identifying the roles you want your potential contract workers to handle. This will help you identify the skills and expertise to look for. Some of the freelance work you should consider outsourcing include managing social media posts, answering calls and emails, creating blog posts, bookkeeping, etc. Simply put, the tasks should be those you find complicated to handle or repetitive. 

That being said, consider the following when searching for and hiring a freelancer from freelancing platform.

1. Communication Skills

While it is recommended to consider skills and expertise when searching for a freelancer, communication skills are just as essential. You see, you want to hire a contractor that is reliable and will always notify you of your job’s progress when requested. Their response to messages should also be prompt as this indicates you will have an excellent experience. 

2. Expertise and Skills

Of course, this element is a must to meet the best talent. Check job applicants’ track records of success and consider reviewing other clients’ comments regarding their experiences working with them. For instance, there are plenty of freelance marketplaces where clients leave feedback to contractors after work is done. By reviewing such work history, it is easier for you to understand what freelance workers will bring to the table. 

3. Work Duration

Some freelancers look for clients with long-term gigs while others consider short-term projects. When searching for freelance talent, consider including the duration in which your project is to last in your job description. This way, you will attract the right audience that will ensure your project runs smoothly from start to finish. Also, consider the time freelancers have on your project since they might have other tasks from different clients. Be clear on your expectations for a better working relationship. 

4. Ability to Meet Deadlines

Meeting deadlines is crucial for business planning and it is important to find a freelance worker that is reliable. They must also double-check their work for errors before submitting as this portrays professionalism and dedication. Understandably, sometimes work cannot be submitted within the stipulated time. If they can be able to communicate the delay beforehand makes them considerable candidates to hire. 

5. Flexibility 

The best talent should be flexible and be willing to adapt to different workflows. For instance, they should be open to working with other freelancers and collaborate to ensure the project is completed successfully. Also, make sure they can adapt to your timeline, especially concerning pay dates. It should be reasonable. 

6. Their Proposals

Freelancers’ proposals should be detailed and clearly explain what they are capable of and their experience in similar jobs. The best proposal should also include the tools the freelancers will use to work with and the time they expect to complete the project. Some job applicants will even include a sample writing on their proposals so that you can clearly see what they will bring to the table. 

7. Rates

While you will save more working with freelancers compared to working with permanent employees, note that their rates differ. For instance, freelancers who have been in the industry longer will charge higher fees compared to those who are getting started. Therefore, have a budget and choose a freelance worker that aligns with it. Ensure they bring in quality work without you having to spend a lot of money. 

Conclusion

Freelance writers are the best to work with when dealing with complicated and repetitive tasks. To find the best contract workers, consider asking for referrals from colleagues, other freelancers, or acquaintances. You can also find them online via blog posts that list them as authors and directly contact them. Alternatively, there are many freelance marketplaces like Upwork that connect you to eligible candidates. 

Since the freelance marketplace is highly dominated by job seekers, ensure you know a candidate and understand their skill set before hiring them. You can even give them a paid test to prove themselves and check them out on social media handles. Remember, freelancers also look for the best clients. Therefore, build a solid profile and exude excellent communication to meet the best candidates.