Find the Best Freelance Help for Your Business

Sometimes it seems that to keep up, a small business must know how to do just about everything. From website design to projected cash flows for the bank, the demands on a business for expertise in different areas seem to have no limit.

A small firm can’t possibly afford to have a person on staff for each of these functions. However, thanks to all the information available today, it is easier than ever to hire outside help. A small firm can easily find freelancers, either locally or use the platforms available online.

From web development to graphic design to marketing, accounting, and more, here’s how to find the best freelance help for your business, both online and offline, as well as locally and internationally.

Finding Freelancers for Effective Workload Help

Hiring a freelancer is very similar to hiring an employee-only easier. The freelancer will only work for a short period of time, so there isn’t the same kind of pressure to hire impeccably. However, taking the time to do some research will certainly pay off.

Also, it helps to be clear on exactly what you need help with. Making a list of your requirements will make the process run more smoothly. Some of the common areas you can hire freelancers for are:

• Web Development

• Graphic Design

• Email Campaigns

• Data Analysis

• Financial Modeling

• Accounting

• System Administrator

Hiring Freelancers for Your Business Locally

Locally, you can find freelancers through your network by asking friends and colleagues. Local business bureaus and networks are good places to reach out to, as well. Online, Craigslist has listings for people near you. Once you have selected a few options, it is time to make sure you are hiring the right person.

You will need to check your work history by obtaining a resume, and you can call to get references from former employers. Depending on the amount of work that needs to be done, it also doesn’t hurt to have a short interview to see how you work together.

Even if the person is the foremost expert in his or her field, the freelancer may not be a perfect fit for the work you need to get done. It’s best to take the time to filter properly, and not hire someone to find out it isn’t going to work out and you must start the process again.

Hiring Freelancers to Help Your Business Worldwide

The big breakthrough in the past few years, however, is the ability to communicate with and hire freelancers worldwide. There are lots of platforms that will help you connect with freelancers, in any kind of expertise you need. Some of the bigger ones are Upwork, Freelancer, and Guru.

I’ve been using Upwork recently and have loved it. Although they all work similarly. First, you post a job with a list of your requirements. After it’s posted, applicants begin sending in their proposals, and you can begin your selection process. In Upwork, you can read reviews from previous jobs to instantaneously obtain references. Also, if you want to hire freelancers from a specific location, that option is available in your job post, too.

Because you will quickly receive many proposals from freelancers, you should also read each person’s profile carefully, and maybe have a short interview with your candidate(s). Freelancers quote different prices, and you can choose how you negotiate the contract, whether by the hour or on a fixed price. Based on the freelancer’s proposal and price, you can choose the person that will best suit the firm’s needs.

Get started hiring freelance help for your business

Thanks to the Internet, you can easily find an expert in just about anything, at a price that fits you, located in any part of the world. And, the benefits of hiring a freelancer are numerous, including saving time, money and developing relationships with experts. Get started today to take your business to the next level!

This post was originally published in 2017 and has since been updated and recirculated for 2021.