How to Hire a Freelancer

Finding the perfect person for a particular project can make all the difference for companies in meeting their goals. Whether searching for help for a short-term project or requiring someone with a specific skill set, businesses choose freelancers for their expertise and flexibility. Freelancing offers both individuals and companies the freedom to connect on their own terms.

As the work world evolves, freelancing is gaining in popularity. Yet for companies who haven’t worked with freelancers before, understanding how to hire the right people may feel like a mystery. With our recent launch of SelfMade, we make it simple to find the experts you need, all in one place. Before you get started, let’s dive into why businesses choose freelancers, what you need to prepare before you start your search, and how to choose the right person to elevate your goals.

Why hire a freelancer?

First things first: if you’ve never considered hiring a freelancer before, you may be wondering why companies choose to do so. There are numerous benefits to working with freelancers. Here are just a few reasons businesses love collaborating with them:

• Ease and convenience. Got an unexpected project? Need to bring in an extra helping hand? Freelancers set their own schedules and are adept at jumping in and learning the ropes quickly.

• Expertise. Freelancers bring their varied, vast experience to the table, providing specialized knowledge that can take your projects to the next level.

• Defined budget. Sometimes hiring a full-time employee just isn’t in the budget. Hiring freelancers means you get to work with high-quality talent for a defined price that works for both of you.

• Short-term commitment. In the ebb and flow of business, you may need help for a specific period of time. Working with freelancers gives you the freedom to set the terms and length of the project.

Your guide to hiring a freelancer

Now that you understand why companies choose to hire freelancers, you may be ready to start your own search. However, just as you will be evaluating freelancers, they too will be deciding whether to take on your project and work with your company. To make your opportunity more enticing, there are a few things you should do in advance of your freelancer search.

• Determine the scope of work. Treat a freelance opportunity as you would any new job or role listing. Decide what skills and qualifications your project will require. Outline the project expectations and work that will need to be completed. Plot out when the project should start, due dates along the way, and when you would like the project to end.

• Decide on your budget. Freelancer rates will vary based on several factors, including experience, industry, market, and more. Outlining your budget will make hiring a freelancer simpler as you’ll know right from the start what you can afford and what that time will be worth.

• Search for a freelancer. Once you understand your needs, it’s time to find the right freelancer for you. SelfMade makes finding and hiring freelancers simple. Companies are able to browse the freelance directory, searching for freelancers by specific skills or roles. As a company member of SelfMade, you can save your favorite freelancers so you’ll have an easy reference for who to hire.

• Explore skills and profiles. With the scope of work already determined, you should know which skills and types of experience will best serve your project. With SelfMade, companies can easily see a freelancer’s top skills directly from the search results page. You can take a closer look by clicking into each profile, where you’ll find detailed information about a person’s experience, past projects, approach to their work, and more. You can also find details about their service packages and rates. Getting in touch with a freelancer is quick and easy — simply message them directly from their profile page.
  
  
• Agree on work terms. Once you decide who you’d like to work with, it’s time to discuss the terms of the arrangement. Some freelancers will provide their own proposals; others are happy to use a standard contract provided by the business.
  

  Here are some key details a business should include in a freelancer contract:

   

  • Names and contact information of both parties

  • Scope of work - Provide a clear description of the services or deliverables expected from the freelancer

  • Timeline/Schedule - Include project deadlines, milestones, and expected time frame for completion

  • Payment Terms - Specify the rate/fees, payment schedule, invoicing process, and expenses reimbursement (if applicable)  

  • Intellectual Property Rights - Clarify who owns the work product, licensing/rights to use the work 

  • Confidentiality Clause - Require both parties to keep business information confidential

  • Termination Clause - Allow either party to terminate the contract if expectations aren't met

  • Governing Law - Specify which state/country laws govern the agreement

  • Liability & Indemnification - Limit the liability of both parties and hold harmless from third-party claims

  • Dispute Resolution - Specify how disputes will be resolved, e.g. arbitration   

  • Entire Agreement - State that the written contract is the entire agreement and overrides any prior discussion

Why choose SelfMade?

Need to hire an expert? SelfMade has freelancers that can help with your project. Plus, SelfMade provides the opportunity for companies to support parents who are freelancing, allowing them to grow their business while you grow yours.

In addition, SelfMade provides the chance for companies to get to know the person they hire. Each freelancer’s profile introduces you to the person as well as the business and prices — giving you all of the information you need to know in one space so you can see if you want to take the next step.

Ready to start your next project? Explore freelancers, read about their unique experiences, and get to know experts who can help grow your business with SelfMade.