How To Find The Best Freelancer For Your Project (An Ultimate Guide)

So you’re ready to find the best freelancer for your next project. (Woohoo!)

You know you need someone who is skilled in a particular area, but where do you start? 

Out of all the freelancers out there, how do you know who to choose?

After helping thousands of individuals find their “perfect fit freelancer”, these are the top concerns I’ve found people have when it comes to hiring: 

1. Not knowing what to look for when vetting a freelancer
2. Understanding what you’ll get for your money
3. Knowing what to expect with the hiring process.

Let’s be honest, as a business owner you are probably overwhelmed with work. You might be drinking your third (or fourth) cup of coffee even as you read this post (no judgment). 

You know that you need H-E-L-P, but you are likely lost on where to get started. 

So in this post, I’ll cover some of the main ways you can ensure to find the best freelancer for your one-time project or ongoing needs.

P.S. Want to search through hundreds of freelancers and find one that truly believes in your company’s mission and values? Head on over to HelloSavvy to search through our freelancer library!

1. Define What You Need

When it comes to finding a freelancer, it’s important that you take the time to define who exactly you’re looking for. This will help you narrow down your options and make the search much easier. Here are some things to consider:

Required Skills

Choose a few required skills and be prepared to limit your search based on these qualifications. Do you need someone with coding experience? A social media expert? Or maybe someone with design skills?  

Be sure to scope out exactly what you need, or you’ll get overwhelmed with too many options. If you need a better starting point, check out the advanced search filter on HelloSavvy where you can browse freelancers by category, skill, industry, and even personality. 

Budget  

Consider how much you are willing to spend on the project. If you are looking for ongoing, monthly support – consider taking a look at your last 12 months of income and basing your monthly budget on what you made during your worst month in business. That way, if you have a low month in the future, you’re not stressed about being able to pay your freelancer. 

Try to find a freelancer who is willing to work within your budget. Many freelancers have hourly, retainer, and project-based packages with varying deliverables to accommodate multiple budget price points.

What type of person would be a good fit?

Here at HelloSavvy, we’re big fans of hiring for culture fit and personality. Think about the personality of the person you are looking for. 

Does this project require someone who is friendly and outgoing or detail-oriented and calculated? 

What previous experiences and values make them a good fit for your company culture? 

Knowing the type of person you would like to find before you begin your search will help you make faster decisions once you start your search. 

2. Do Your Research

Now that you know what you’re looking for it’s time to search!

When it comes to finding a freelancer, it’s important that you take the time to do your research. This will help you find the best person for the job and avoid any potential headaches down the road.

Some people will ask for recommendations, look in Facebook groups, or search freelancer marketplaces like HelloSavvy.

There are a few things you should keep in mind when researching freelancers:

Review Their Past Work

The Freelancer version of a resume is a portfolio. Their portfolio will give you a brief introduction to who they are, how they help, and what their skills are. Portfolios also include examples of past work and testimonials from previous clients. Evaluating a freelancer’s portfolio is the best place to start when researching potential hires.

Check Their Online Presence

Next, take note of their online presence. Review their Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram accounts to see what type of content they are putting out there. Is their online presence in alignment with your company values and culture?

Pre-Vetting Questions

Now that you have a general understanding of their work and online presence, it’s time to dig a little deeper. You want to get a better understanding of their attitude and ability to solve problems. Check out The 5 best pre-vetting questions to ask a potential freelancer for more on that subject!

3. Conduct Discovery Calls

Once you’ve narrowed down your top 3-5 candidates, it’s time to start the conversation. In the world of freelancing, interviews are most often referred to as Discovery Calls and are typically held virtually via Zoom or Google Hangout. It’s a great way to get to know the freelancer better and see if they would be a good fit for the project.

Some things to keep in mind during the discovery call process:

Be Prepared

It’s important to note that when you book a discovery call with a freelancer, the expectation is that they will set the agenda for the call. They will ask you some questions about your business and what you’re looking for. However, you should still come prepared with questions for the freelancer that you want to get addressed during the call. You can read more about how to prepare for a discovery call here.

Maintain An Open Line Of Communication

It’s also important that you are an active participant during the call. You want to make sure that the freelancer is able to ask questions too! Make sure you maintain your open line of communication during this crucial step in the hiring process.

4. Narrow Down Your Selection

After the discovery calls and doing your research, it’s time to narrow down your selection of potential freelancers. This can be a daunting task, but with these tips, you’re sure to find the perfect freelancer for the job!

Review Their Proposal

After the discovery call, a freelancer will send you a proposal.  Read through the proposal and then make your final decision.  If you have any questions throughout the process, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.

Conduct Test Projects

If you still have multiple freelancers that seem like a good fit, it’s time to send them a test project. If you are asking the freelancer for a test project, etiquette is that you pay them. Remember they are using their time to complete this for you, therefore, it is only appropriate that you offer compensation. Test projects are excellent indicators that the freelancer is either a fit or not for doing the work to your expectations.

5. Accept A Proposal

When you accept a proposal, you’re agreeing to work with that freelancer according to their contract terms and giving them the go-ahead to start the project. This can be a scary step, but with these tips, you’ll know exactly what to look for and how to make sure the project goes off without a hitch!

The Contract

A freelancer contract is a legal document that outlines the scope of work (exactly what you will be doing together and for how long) and how much it will cost. Generally, the freelancer will already have a contract that they use for their services.  It’s important to read this document carefully before signing it to make sure everything is outlined in detail.

The Invoice

Before you can begin the project, the freelancer will send you an invoice. Each freelancer’s payment terms will be different and should be outlined in the proposal or contract. Once the invoice has been paid, the freelancer will continue with their onboarding process.

The Onboarding Process

After the project starts, your freelancer will need to get up to speed with you and your company. This can be an in-depth process that requires participation from both parties and typically includes a questionnaire, intake forms, sharing of passwords, and a kickoff call. It’s important that everyone is patient during this crucial stage in the relationship. You don’t want to rush through the onboarding process!

Congratulations!

Now that you know what to expect during the hiring process, it’s time to get started! The most important thing to remember is to be prepared and maintain an open line of communication with your freelancer. Narrow down your selection of candidates and send them a test project if you’re still unsure. Once you’ve accepted their proposal, they will begin the onboarding process and start working on your project. Congratulations-you’ve just hired a freelancer!