You may receive a lot of applications to review.<ul><li>Trim down the list to include only the candidates that fit your expectations. Sort by reviews and overall scores or, if available, use the tool that shows compatibility.</li><li>Once you have a shorter list, Work through every application, starting with the best reviews.</li><li>See if they fit within your budget and make sure their skills fit your needs.</li></ul> Most platforms will allow you to invite freelancers to apply. If anyone catches your eye, look for an invite feature.

Select the best freelance candidates

Look for the following<ul><li>The type of freelancers available (highly specialised or general?)</li><li>How they screen freelancers (most use a reviews-based system.)</li><li>Types of projects you can post (complex, one-time-only, gigs).</li><li>Entry fees and other commissions.</li><li>Reviews from other users.</li></ul> Freelancing platforms:<ul><li>Fiver: Browse freelancers (sellers) and their skills, prices, and portfolios.</li><li>Upwork: A trusted platform that caters to a wide range of domains.</li><li>Freelancer.com: Freelancers bid on job offers.</li><li>Guru: Flexible and cost-effective.</li><li>Toptal: Pre-screened freelancers.</li></ul>

Choose the right platform to post the job

To hire the right freelancer, you need to know exactly what the job is and what it entails. <ul><li>Instead of focusing on the service, consider what goals will hiring a freelancer achieve? For example, instead of "writing", you may want someone to "grow traffic through quality articles."</li><li>What are your timelines and deliverables? It will help to get a sense of the schedule and workload.</li><li>Which specific skills should your freelancer excel at?</li><li>Other skills could include being friendly and polite in communication, open to constructive feedback, reliable and respectful towards deadlines.</li></ul>

Analyse your needs

Meet the top candidates via a video call or let their previous work inform you of their skills. Consider covering the following during the interview:<ul><li>Samples of their previous work.</li><li>How they feel about your project and if they are prepared to tackle it.</li><li>Whether they have worked on a similar project before. (Ask for details.)</li><li>Their current workload. How they feel about the timetable.</li><li>Their openness to constructive feedback.</li><li>How they deal with an unhappy client.</li><li>Their preferred method of communication.</li></ul>

Perform freelancer interviews

Freelancers are considered independent contractors, and therefore clients don't have to pay taxes or fees associated with an employee. The budget is crucial in the negotiation process. It indicates the level of quality and professionalism you want when hiring a freelancer. Research the average rate for hiring freelance professionals. Don't aim for the cheapest freelancer unless you are looking for inexperienced freelancers.

Establish your budget for hiring a freelancer

It's your task to manage the relationship and keep up to date. You can't lay back and become uninvolved. This is your project, and the freelancer is just assisting you. Even if you found a freelancer with all the right skills, ensure to follow the progress and provide constructive feedback.

Follow progress and provide feedback

When you have found a suitable freelancer:<ul><li>Provide them with all the details they need to start.</li><li>Go through the payment and schedule details.</li><li>Start with a test period (a few weeks up to a few months) to better get to know each other.</li></ul> Other communication rules:<ul><li>Do you need a non-disclosure agreement? Train the freelancer how to use the information and protect your project from unwanted eyes.</li><li>Establish a protocol for progress reports (end of a workday or workweek.)</li><li>Talk to them about errors and mistakes and how to notify you to stay on top of issues.</li></ul>

Hire the freelancer

Provide a clear and easy-to-read description of your project. Consider including the following: <ul><li>A comprehensive title.</li><li>A short company presentation (who you are and what you do)</li><li>The type of work. E.g. professional web developer or beginner web developer.</li><li>Duties and tasks.</li><li>Skills and their level needed to ensure the project will be a success.</li><li>Length and expected availability. (also the type of payment - per hour or project)</li><li>Budget. How much you are willing to pay.</li></ul> Ask freelancers to send samples of their previous work or links to their portfolio.

Creating the job description

You hire a freelancer like this: Analyze Your Needs, Establish Your Budget, Choose a Platform, Select Candidates, Perform Interviews, Hire.