Where do you find freelancers?

[Rebecca Walton]

I run a group for freelancers and last week the topic was: Where do you find your work?
There were so many different answers and it was interesting to see it from their point of view. However, now I thought I'd ask business owners where they find their freelancers. To see whether it matches up or if freelancers are looking in the wrong places!

If you've outsourced work before, where did you find the individual/company?
If you've thought about hiring a freelancer before, where did you look?

Looking forward to your replies!

Thanks

 

[The Byre]

It depends on what skills you are looking for.

 

[Rebecca Walton]

Well, the freelancers in my group are from a wide range of industries. I would say the most common would be:
Copywriters/content marketers, social media managers, graphic designers, and web developers/designers.

 

[fisicx]

Referrals. Best source of work there is.

 

[sjbeale]

If you go to business networking events you can can meet contacts face to face.

 

[HazelC]

I'm going with the same as @sjbeale and @fisicx - I met my freelancers through networking and referrals.

When I say freelancers, I was one and met the web design companies that I do lots of work with at networking events and I needed a graphic designer - I met one at networking and another was recommended to me. I also used a VA that I met networking and she was recommended to me

 

[LawHound]

LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook and Upwork as well as referrals and networking. For all we have a process in place for testing the work, getting samples of the work and ensuring the individuals meet the legal requirements of a freelance arrangement. We have used freelancers for web development, marketing, graphics and social media but have always had to directly employ legal staff. We have had success with freelancers for webinars and blogging needs but for actual legal services always had to employ.

 

[sirbrandy]

This article lists 38 legitimate "Filipino" work from home job sites:
http://biz30.timedoctor.com/38-legit-filipino-work-from-home-job-sites-that-will-not-scam-you/

But, the list actually does cover some good sites which are not exclusively for Filipinos.

It should be a good one to refer to when hiring freelancers.

 

[Rob Gordon]

Recommendations are always the best bet, but sometimes you need something niche, or simply a service no-one has any recommendations for.

I've used online sites like the below:
upwork.com (previously ODesk)
freelancer.com
peopleperhour.com

They tend to cover a wide range of services, but it might not cater for everything.

You have to do your own screening though, and you can get inundated with 'offers'.

 

[Carl Feldman]

guru
people per hour
odesk
those should be good enough.

 

[woodss]

hi

 

[ADNattan]

Most of my leads are (in order):

Referrals/Word of Mouth
Search Engines (PPC)
The Pro Copywriter's Network
Networking
Social Media/Forums

So that's how folks are finding this freelancer.