where do you find freelance writers? and other freelance questions answered
Freelancing has been around since 1000 A.D. with the term “freelance” originating closer to the early 1800s. But it looked a wee bit different back then.
Research shows that the “earliest written evidence for 'freelance' comes from Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe, in which a lord refers to his paid army of 'free lances' … it was used to refer to a medieval mercenary who would fight for whichever nation or person paid them the most.”
Nowadays, a freelancer is an independent contractor/self-employed individual often working for multiple clients at one time, earning income per project, and controlling their own schedule and workload. If you’re looking for a freelance writer, you are seeking an independent contractor who offers writing services (e.g. website, email, paid ads, social media, UX, blogs, case studies, etc.) to clients in a certain industry or niche on a deliverable or project basis.
I know I’m throwing a lot of definitions around, but it matters. Why? Remote work is here to stay, which means freelancers are too.
And because I don’t want you floundering to figure out the freelance world on your own, this is your comprehensive guide for what to know as a business owner or employer hiring freelancers.
Even if you’ve hired employees before, contracting out to a freelancer is an entirely different animal. That’s why I wrote this! To provide you with a clear definition of what a freelancer is/isn’t, help you find a trusted professional for your next project, and set you up for a successful working relationship together.
Treat this as a roadmap to lead you through the process of finding a freelancer and hiring them to ending the contract on good terms and even working with them again. Let’s get into it!
*Bookmark this blog so you can easily access it next time you work with a freelancer.
You’re toying with the idea of finding a freelancer to help with your next project.
Before you find the perfect fit, you should know at least a bit about the industry you’re wading in.
Freelance writers often use social media platforms like LinkedIn to connect with potential clients. During my first few years in business, I didn’t pay it much mind as a way to find freelance work. But recently, it’s been on my (and many other independent contractors’) radar.
The downside? It didn’t take long before I noticed dozens of LinkedIn jobs popping up with “contract” or “freelance” in the title that listed it as a 40-hour-a-week job for hourly pay in a specific city.
That’s not a freelance gig. That’s a full-time job for an employee listed as a freelance position.
Where was this disconnect coming from? I had to know.
I hopped on a call with Hebba Youssef, Chief People Officer of Workweek. She shared so many incredible insights with me about how employers and businesses currently hire and work with freelancers.
While the call was great, it illuminated a massive divide between the expectations of freelancers and the companies who hire them.
What’s to blame? I have my theories:
The rapid evolution of remote work.
A lack of common knowledge about and an agreed-upon definition of freelancers.
Employers and businesses that hire individuals for full-time work under the guise of freelancing to avoid paying them benefits.
Freelancers command respect. They are beneficial members of your team for projects that require expert knowledge. Go into your search with that mindset and you’ll find the right person for the job.
You’re ready to hire a freelancer.
Great! Let’s start with where to find trusted professionals to help you with a one-off project or set deliverables.
Search local (or global) business directories to find freelancers and remote workers for hire
Where do you find freelance writers, brand strategists, content marketing managers, and graphic designers these days? Business directories.
You might be wondering why you can’t just google “Freelance copywriters near me” and call it a day. While the search will bring up someone local, they might not have the experience or qualifications you need
Business directories, especially global ones like Remote ID, make finding a trusted freelancer a breeze. They often feature professionals in a variety of industries, niches, and experience levels.
Plus, directories are (typically) vetted so you know the freelancers on them have positive client reviews and quality portfolios. Basically, they help you find the right fit without having to open 800 tabs on Google.
3 business directories I recommend to find freelancers to hire:
Remote ID (global)
She-Freelances (DC-based)
Freelancing Females (female business owners)
Check LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook Groups
Wading through websites can be a daunting task. If that’s where you’re at, try looking on social media instead.
Different platforms cater to different industries and individuals. Likely, you’ll find senior freelancers on LinkedIn, journalists or copywriters on Twitter, and photographers or designers on Instagram. This isn’t always the case, but it’s something to consider.
If you’d rather do a single call-out post for freelancers than search for them individually, join an industry or niche-specific Facebook group. That’s where many of us hang out (and find work these days), so you’re bound to see inquiries rolling in.
Ask for referrals
If you’re the more personal type, ask for a referral from someone you know. Word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to find a freelancer! You might be surprised by how many people you know that have worked with one before or have someone to recommend.
Sometimes it’s just better to work with someone you know by association than to hire someone you found through a quick online search. Especially since the latter takes longer since you have to vet everyone yourself.
You found a few freelancers you may want to work with.
Amazing! Now, let’s get into how to vet them for your project the right way (because yes, there is a wrong way!).
Ditch asking for a resumé and request to view their portfolio instead
Freelancers work differently than employees. A resumé does not accurately capture what freelancers do for their clients.
Instead, ask for specific samples of past projects in your industry or niche to properly vet their abilities. You will be able to see whether they have the experience and chops for your project this way, I promise.
Browse their website or social media pages
Freelancers typically have a website and social media presence that clearly depicts their job title, industry or niche, and showcases their expertise and past work.
You can get a good feel for the person by consuming their content or perusing their website. While connecting personally isn’t the only thing to look for in a freelancer, it certainly makes the project more fun and the partnership more rewarding!
Look at Google and Facebook Reviews as well as client testimonials
If you want to know the results you’re likely to get from working with a freelancer, take a peek at their reviews or testimonials. Past clients share their experiences often, so use their reviews to help you decide for yourself.
If you look closely, you can see patterns in the way the freelancer helps their clients. This keen eye can weed out people who don’t produce the results you need or whose process doesn’t align with yours.
Pay attention to how they communicate with you
The back-and-forth emails or the immediate request to jump on a call are a peek into your future.
Pay attention to how they communicate with you while you’re in the search phase of hiring. This is how it will be during the duration of the project. If they take days to get back to an email, it might not be the right fit.
It’s time to kick off your project with a freelancer.
You found the freelancer you need and now it’s time to kick things off. Here are a few key reminders as well as basic information on the difference between a freelancer and an employee to make sure the project is successful.
Treat them like a freelancer, not an employee
Freelancers are NOT employees. Instead, they're classified as independent contractors. What does that mean?
Unlike employees, independent contractors do not work regularly for an employer but work as required.
Employees go into the office each day, check in on Slack/Teams, and are expected to work 40 hours a week if they’re full-time. Freelancers have control of their time and don’t work for a certain number of hours.
Independent contractors are self-employed, which means the earnings of a person who is working as an independent contractor are subject to self-employment tax.
This means that freelancers set their own rates because they are considered self-employed.
Independent contractors are responsible for paying their own healthcare, retirement, and other benefits.
Since freelancing is a legitimate business, freelancers have to pay taxes, healthcare, retirement, etc. They do not get money from their clients to pay for this, so each freelancer’s rates will reflect their experience AND their overhead.
Independent contractors work where they choose (remotely or on-site), decide their own hours, and set their own rates.
To be classified as a freelancer, they have to have control of their schedule. If not, the IRS classifies them as an employee and they’re entitled to benefits.
This means that you won’t be able to dictate the number of hours the freelancer you hire works. Because freelancers are experts at their craft and become more efficient over time, dictating the number of hours a task will take is the freelancer’s domain.
Instead of hourly, they work on a per-project or deliverable basis outlined in their contract.
*You are NOT an independent contractor if you perform services that can be controlled by an employer (what will be done and how it will be done).
Sign the contract they send you
When you decide to work with a freelancer, don’t send them a contract. Instead, sign theirs.
Contracts clearly define expectations, the scope of work, payment details, etc. Allow the freelancer to define their contract terms since they are in charge of how, when, and what services are rendered.
But what if…
They don’t have a contract? Big red flag. Move on to another freelancer.
They have a contract but you don’t like the terms? You can always negotiate. Most freelancers are flexible and willing to work with you!
Provide detailed project briefs and a deadline
Once the contract is signed, the freelancer you hire will need a detailed project brief, information about you/your client, defined goals and strategy, and a deadline to begin work.
Just don’t try to dictate the number of hours or exactly when the freelancer will be behind their desk! That means no required weekly team meetings for them… sorry.
Remember that communication is key
Communication in a remote setting isn’t a nicety. It’s a necessity.
Freelancers aren’t in-office, so they don’t know what’s happening unless you tell them. While they’re a part of your team, a lack of communication around launch schedules, budget discussions, or other team members moving on can leave them feeling out of the loop (and like they might be on their way out too).
Freelancers want to feel included. So when it’s time to hire a freelancer for your next project, be sure to keep them informed about important details like:
When their deliverables are due
An updated launch schedule for a new product/service
Invoices (especially if they’re going to be late)
Internal team members leaving or being hired
OOO dates or company-wide vacation schedules (especially if it’s their point of contact)
Be open to collaboration
The best way I can explain the importance of collaborating with the freelancer you hire is by telling you about my trip to the hair salon. Stay with me!
I moved to a new city this year and needed a haircut before my wedding. I walked into a local salon with a clear image (and keywords!) to describe the style I wanted.
I also walked in with the understanding that the stylist is the expert. She knows whether the cut I’m asking for is good for my face shape or won’t work for me considering what I do with my mane on a daily basis (wear it up, never style it, etc.).
I told her I trusted that whatever tweaks she needed to make were with my best interest at heart. I also told her that I had an idea in mind but was open to her expert opinion. I chose HER after all, didn’t I?
Let’s start treating your freelance relationships like this.
Yes, you should come into the project with a clear idea of what you want. But then allow your freelancer to work their magic, share their professional recommendations, and create beautiful work that’s the product of a trusted collaboration between both of you.
The end result? A collaborative effort made better because you worked together.
The freelance contract is ending.
This phase of working with a freelancer is known as “offboarding.” Typically, freelancers have their own offboarding process that they take each client through at the end of their contract.
However, there are 2 things I know I appreciate getting from my client as a freelancer when we stop working together (whether I ask for them or not!).
Let’s talk about what you can do at the end of your project to leave on a good note.
Provide a review or testimonial
If you enjoyed working together then let the world know. Freelancers often do their own marketing, so every positive review helps support them!
Plus, social proof helps business owners and employers like you make better hiring decisions. It’s a win-win.
Share analytics collected
Proven growth, better numbers, trackable outcomes. That’s what clients are looking for when they hire freelancers. Guess what a lot of freelancers never get?
Any analytics at all.
If a freelancer you hired for your project directly contributed to the growth or expansion of your business, please share that with them! It is great to have solid results to show future clients and they appreciate it more than you know.
You have a different project you want to hire a freelancer for.
The last project ended. It went great. But there’s another one on the horizon and you need to outsource help.
What do you do?
Reconnect with the freelancer you worked with before if it’s a similar project. There is much less initial onboarding to take care of, the freelancer already knows your business/client, and you don’t have to deal with the search process again.
Ask for a recommendation if the project deliverables aren’t something the freelancer works on. They can likely suggest a fellow freelancer in their network that can take on your project.
There are many more freelance questions to answer.
Freelancing is still a widely misunderstood career path. The rise of remote work, a lack of awareness of what a freelancer is, and companies prioritizing profits over people all contribute to this.
I hope this blog provides some insight into working with freelancers that you may have not known before.
We are not hourly workers clocking in and out. We are independent professionals — typically experts in our chosen industry or niche — ready to collaborate with you or your team.
So focus on hiring the right freelancer for your project, create a solid working relationship from the start, and watch your business grow!