Small businesses don’t always have the luxury of hiring full-time staff for each business function that needs to be fulfilled, so they look for Right Freelancer.
One way to fill the requirements gap on a shoestring is to consider using freelancers – an option that is not only more cost-effective but also provides additional flexibility. If you are careful in your selection process, chances are the freelancer could be capable of fulfilling your role requirements just as well, if not even better!
Top 5 Reasons Why Organisations Are Increasing Their Use of Contingent Talent
- Leverage the increased availability of expertise
- Reduce cost
- Avoid adding permanent headcount
- Increase the speed of getting things done
- Challenge our thinking and assumptions with outside ideas
So, now we have listed 7 Key Factors to Consider to Choose the Right Freelancer
1) Make your organisation attractive to Right Freelancer
While you may think you have your pick with freelancers, successful freelancers also have their pick with clients! So what are freelancers looking for? A portfolio, of course. What’s in it for them? Are you working on an exciting project that delivers impact on the community? Post-completion, will you provide them with a written testimonial? Will they be able to associate themselves with your logo or brand, and claim credit for specific projects?
Aside from credit, flexibility is also the Number 1 thing on a Right Freelancer mind – for most of them, this is exactly why they set out to freelance in the first place! What tools and processes do your organisation have in place that will help them work flexibly, or even virtually?
Lastly, how will you reward them? Freelancers deserve to be paid fairly, so the least you could do is pay them at market rate. When freelancers go above and beyond to deliver your expected output, consider giving them a bonus to show that you appreciate their outstanding service. Words spread quickly in the industry; so cultivate a good reputation for your company and you will be able to attract top freelancers.
Source: upwork
In 2024, nearly 50% of freelance projects on Upwork were in Development and Design. Customer Service and IT & Networking categories experienced significant year-over-year growth, while Legal, Writing, and Translation saw declines, partly due to AI advancements. – says report
2) Use reliable online Right Freelancer platforms
SM TheExpertycommunity, Toptal etc are great portals for sourcing for freelancers online. Take your pick of web and mobile developers, designers, customer service agents, consultants, and more – based on ratings that have been given to them based on their past projects.
3) Shortlist based on bid and profiles
Depending on the type of expertise that you require, you might get tons of bids very quickly once you post a job. However, be wary of accepting the cheapest bid even if budget is an important consideration. Shortlist the bids that fall within the acceptable range and check out the online profiles of the bidders. Freelancers who have done previous jobs would have gotten ratings from their clients, which can help you assess their work ethic and reliability. Samples of their past projects can also help you assess whether their style will fit in with what you have in mind.
4) Shortlisting Round II: Test!
Once you have shortlisted to about three candidates, test your top candidates to ensure that your freelancer is who they claim to be. The ideal test would be as close as possible to the demands of your job at hand, and take somewhere between 20 minutes to one hour. Consider paying the freelancer for the test project, in order to simulate a real working environment and ensure the freelancer puts in his best effort into the test.
A study revealed that 72% of companies reported freelancers helped them enter new markets or launch new products, highlighting the strategic role of freelancers in driving innovation. – says report.
Source: Prnewswire
5) Check on feedback from the employer
Marketplaces such as SM Expert Community made checking past work more accessible for customers with space for evaluations and feedback. The examination of your employer’s feedback allows you to make an informed decision on the interaction with your candidate during the project. These past employers can hardly be followed up directly, but comments can provide an excellent basis for recruitment, as contractors seldom alter or interfere with them.
6) Negotiate ownership before work
Business projects such as design and software development need to be discussed before work begins, and this acts as one of the most important tips for hiring freelancers. These rights must be stated in a legal document, and both parties must be accepted to avoid future disputes. You should also be prepared to agree for such projects on a certain amount to be paid early or for a type of deposit payment.
7) Prevent your business from the competition
Freelancers can sometimes be an indirect competition for you because they understand how your company runs and completes projects for their clients. It is therefore essential to establish mechanisms that prevent them from accessing your company details directly. If this cannot be the case, you can follow the legal path by signing non-disclosure agreements. These agreements prevent them from obtaining jobs for a specific period from any of your customers.
Key takeaways
In this era of the gig economy, having a process set in place for how you find freelancers for your business is a must. You need to know how what to focus on while creating the job posting in order to present your company as an attractive option.
Moreover, you need to know where to post it and how to find high-quality freelancers. Most freelancers will have portfolios you can look at, but if you don’t want to be buried in a sea of resumes and samples of previous work, you need to only look at the top freelance work sites.
Start building your freelance talent strategy today with us—because the right partner can make all the difference.
FAQ on choosing the right freelancer
1. Why are businesses increasingly turning to freelancers?
Businesses, especially small and mid-sized ones, are embracing freelancers to stay agile, reduce costs, and access specialized talent without committing to permanent hires. Freelancers offer flexibility and expertise across fields like design, tech, writing, and customer support, helping companies scale operations efficiently.
2. Which industries or roles are most popular for freelance projects?
According to 2024 reports, the most in-demand freelance roles are in tech and creative fields—such as web/mobile development, UI/UX design, and content creation. Other growing areas include customer service, digital marketing, and consulting. Specialized niches like AI, cybersecurity, and blockchain are also on the rise.
3. How do companies ensure they hire the right freelancer?
Companies can attract top freelancers by offering flexible work arrangements, fair compensation, and the opportunity to work on meaningful projects. Using reputable platforms (like Upwork or TheExpertycommunity), reviewing portfolios, conducting skill-based tests, and checking ratings/testimonials helps ensure quality hires.
4. What advantages do freelancers bring beyond cost savings?
Beyond being cost-effective, freelancers bring fresh perspectives, industry expertise, and speed. They can help businesses innovate, challenge internal thinking, and deliver projects faster due to their focused skillsets and independent working style. Many companies report improved productivity and market responsiveness thanks to freelance talent.
5. Is freelancing a sustainable career path for professionals?
Absolutely. With remote work becoming mainstream and digital platforms streamlining gig opportunities, freelancing offers autonomy, diverse projects, and earning potential. In markets like India, freelancing is booming, with millions opting for it as a full-time career, especially in IT, design, and marketing sectors.
