Sometimes, it doesn’t make sense to hire a full-time employee or it’s just not possible. But there’s still work to be done and innovation to unleash. That’s why nearly half of hiring managers are working with independent professionals and they expect to use even more over the next year. Deciding to work with freelancers isn’t just a matter of whether you should add headcount or not. It’s how you may find some of the best people with highly demanded or ultra-niche skills.
Now freelance platforms make it easier for people to find work they can get excited about, more top professionals are going independent.
But not every team is rushing to hire freelancers.
After all, how do you know you have the right person? Will they do as good a job?
These are all common and totally valid concerns. As when hiring full-time employees, there are a wide range of choices.
1. Define a budget
Before starting a search, set a realistic budget for the work you want done. Keep in mind that many freelancers are business owners; they pay their own taxes, insurance, and overhead. So their hourly rates may be slightly higher than an employee’s.
When estimating project costs, think about all of the deliverables you expect, then set a fair price. If you’re unsure what’s fair, ask your network how they price similar projects. You could also look at related job posts online for ideas.
Know that hourly rates can span a wide range, mainly due to the talent’s experience level and where they’re located. in Paris, France may have a different rate than one with equal experience in , Indonesia.
We all have limited budgets, but choosing the lowest-priced person may not be a sound strategy. If you engage someone to write an article then end up spending 10 hours of your time communicating back and forth and editing multiple drafts, how much are you really saving? Especially when you compare it to hiring someone who may charge a few bucks more.
Of course, a higher rate doesn’t guarantee quality work either. So, be sure to budget enough time to carefully vet each person.
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Create a job description
Understand that independent professionals want to do a great job. Not only because they’re passionate about what they do, but also because the better they perform, the higher their chances of getting more work.
That’s why when they peruse a list of job posts, they’re looking for projects they believe they’ll enjoy and do well. The clearer you are about expectations and deliverables, the better able they can determine whether they’re a good fit, so you receive more qualified responses. And the more details they receive upfront, the more accurate their proposal will be.
But don’t worry, crafting a winning job post is straightforward. You don’t need a full job description; those are only needed for employment. Here’s what a project post should include:
Project start and end dates
A description of the work you want performed
Payment terms (fixed price or hourly) -
Find the best freelancer
Technology makes it so much easier to find skilled independent professionals located anywhere in the world. Here are some of the most popular ways to find the best freelancer for a project:
Ask “Who do you know?” Ask your work and personal network for referrals. Consider asking for people they’ve worked with in the past and had positive results, so you can get more quality referrals.
Reach out on job boards. Yes, these people are looking for a full-time job, but if you find someone qualified, it may be worth asking if they’d consider taking on a project. The risk here is that if they find a job mid project, they may not be able to finish the work.
Post on social networks. A large percentage of businesses are using social media to broadcast job openings. It can be an effective way to target specific audiences and expand your talent pool. One caveat: It may take more back and forth communicating a project and vetting the candidate.
Hop on a freelance platform. Hiring platforms make it easy for you to act as your own staffing agency, but better. Rent a Guide designed such an efficient platform that clients say they find talent faster, get better quality matches, and receive higher quality work. Compared to a staffing agency, Rent a Guide delivers it all with less work and at a savings. -
Assess the freelancer
No matter what the skill and project, you can evaluate if someone’s the right match within two steps. Of course, the length and detail of each step depends on the work expected and your needs.
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Hire the freelancer
Congratulations, you found the ideal person! Now it’s time to offer the project to them and iron out details.
When discussing project details, understand that both of you are negotiating an agreement that covers when the person can start, and payment terms. Unlike an employee, you don’t manage or tell freelancers how to do their work, they control all that themselves.
A helpful way to think about this is to focus on what you want, not how it’s done. Remember, independent professionals are running a business. When you go to a business, you expect them to deliver a product or service within an agreed timeframe and price, but you don’t tell them how to do it, right?
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Create and sign a contract
Make your agreement official with a contract. Good contracts are detailed, yet concise so they’re very clear. Your contract not only protects the business and the talent, it also serves as proof to the IRS that you’re not violating any worker classification laws.
Here are essential information that should be included in most contracts:
Names, contact information, date
Role (deliverables and responsibilities)
Payment terms (fixed price or hourly?)
Deadlines (include milestones)
Confidential information clause
Independent contractor terms (what the client won’t do nor provide the talent)
Limitation of liability
Termination terms
Indemnity clause
How it works
Manage Your Profitable AccountWork the way you want
Find the right work for you, with great clients, at the world’s work marketplace.
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Create your profile (it’s free)
An eye-catching title and client-focused overview help us match you to the work you want. Include your work history, your skills, and your photo. Add more, like an introduction video, to create a profile that really stands out.
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Explore ways to earn
Work and earn in different ways. Bid for jobs. Pitch your projects. Discuss your in-demand skills with our recruiters so they can find opportunities aligned with your passions and career goals. Do all three. Create a predictable pipeline and build your network.
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Get paid securely
Choose how you get paid. Our fixed-price protection releases client payments at project milestones. Hourly protection bills clients every week. However you work, our service fees are the same. Spend less time chasing, more earning.
How payments work
Focus on Your Work & TeamWhether you’re paid hourly or on a fixed-price contract, all the work you complete comes with payment protection.
All in one place
Invoice clients and track your earnings on Upwork for a simple and streamlined process.
Choose how you get paid
Use what works best for you—including direct deposit, Wise wire transfer, and more.
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No fees until you complete your work
Our service fees are taken as a percentage of your earnings. We charge you based on lifetime earnings with each client:
3% for the first $500 you bill your client
2% for total billings between $500.01 and $10,000
1% for total billings over $10,000 -
Transfer Fees
PAY RECIVE FREELANCER CURRENCY EMPLOYER CURRENCY FAST TRANSFER EASY TRANSFER ECONOMY TRANSFER IN WISE ACCOUNT EURO 5% 4% 3.00% EURO EURO 6% 5% 4.00% USD EURO 6% 5% 4.00% AED EURO 6% 5% 4.00% AUD EURO 6% 5% 4.00% BGN EURO 6% 5% 4.00% CAD EURO 6% 5% 4.00% CHF EURO 6% 5% 4.00% CZK EURO 6% 5% 4.00% DKK EURO 6% 5% 4.00% GPB EURO 6% 5% 4.00% HKD EURO 6% 5% 4.00% HRK EURO 6% 5% 4.00% HUF EURO 6% 5% 4.00% IDR EURO 6% 5% 4.00% INR EURO 7% 6% 5.00% JPY EURO 6% 5% 4.00% MYR EURO 6% 5% 4.00% NOK EURO 6% 5% 4.00% NZD EURO 6% 5% 4.00% PLN EURO 6% 5% 4.00% RON EURO 6% 5% 4.00% SEK EURO 6% 5% 4.00% SGD EURO 7% 6% 5.00% TRY PAY RECIVE FREELANCER CURRENCY EMPLOYER CURRENCY FAST TRANSFER EASY TRANSFER ECONOMY TRANSFER IN WISE ACCOUNT USD 5% 4% 3.00% USD USD 6% 5% 4.00% EURO USD 6% 5% 4.00% AED USD 6% 5% 4.00% AUD USD 6% 5% 4.00% BGN USD 6% 5% 4.00% CAD USD 6% 5% 4.00% CHF USD 6% 5% 4.00% CZK USD 6% 5% 4.00% DKK USD 6% 5% 4.00% GPB USD 6% 5% 4.00% HKD USD 6% 5% 4.00% HRK USD 6% 5% 4.00% HUF USD 6% 5% 4.00% IDR USD 6% 5% 4.00% INR USD 7% 6% 5.00% JPY USD 6% 5% 4.00% MYR USD 6% 5% 4.00% NOK USD 6% 5% 4.00% NZD USD 6% 5% 4.00% PLN USD 6% 5% 4.00% RON USD 6% 5% 4.00% SEK USD 6% 5% 4.00% SGD USD 7% 6% 5.00% TRY PAY RECIVE FREELANCER CURRENCY EMPLOYER CURRENCY FAST TRANSFER EASY TRANSFER ECONOMY TRANSFER IN WISE ACCOUNT GPB 5% 4% 3.00% GPB GPB 6% 5% 4.00% EURO GPB 6% 5% 4.00% USD GPB 6% 5% 4.00% AED GPB 6% 5% 4.00% AUD GPB 6% 5% 4.00% BGN GPB 6% 5% 4.00% BRL GPB 6% 5% 4.00% CAD GPB 6% 5% 4.00% CHF GPB 6% 5% 4.00% CZK GPB 6% 5% 4.00% DKK GPB 6% 5% 4.00% HKD GPB 6% 5% 4.00% HRK GPB 6% 5% 4.00% HUF GPB 6% 5% 4.00% IDR GPB 6% 5% 4.00% INR GPB 7% 6% 5.00% JPY GPB 6% 5% 4.00% MYR GPB 6% 5% 4.00% NOK GPB 6% 5% 4.00% NZD GPB 6% 5% 4.00% PLN GPB 6% 5% 4.00% RON GPB 6% 5% 4.00% SEK GPB 6% 5% 4.00% SGD GPB 7% 6% 5.00% TRY PAY RECIVE FREELANCER CURRENCY EMPLOYER CURRENCY FAST TRANSFER EASY TRANSFER ECONOMY TRANSFER IN WISE ACCOUNT CAD 5% 4% 3.00% CAD CAD 6% 5% 4.00% EURO CAD 6% 5% 4.00% USD CAD 6% 5% 4.00% AED CAD 6% 5% 4.00% AUD CAD 6% 5% 4.00% BGN CAD 6% 5% 4.00% BRL CAD 6% 5% 4.00% CHF CAD 6% 5% 4.00% CZK CAD 6% 5% 4.00% DKK CAD 6% 5% 4.00% GPB CAD 6% 5% 4.00% HKD CAD 6% 5% 4.00% HRK CAD 6% 5% 4.00% HUF CAD 6% 5% 4.00% IDR CAD 6% 5% 4.00% INR CAD 7% 6% 5.00% JPY CAD 6% 5% 4.00% MYR CAD 6% 5% 4.00% NOK CAD 6% 5% 4.00% NZD CAD 6% 5% 4.00% PLN CAD 6% 5% 4.00% RON CAD 6% 5% 4.00% SEK CAD 6% 5% 4.00% SGD CAD 7% 6% 5.00% TRY PAY RECIVE FREELANCER CURRENCY EMPLOYER CURRENCY FAST TRANSFER EASY TRANSFER ECONOMY TRANSFER IN WISE ACCOUNT AUD 5% 4% 3.00% AUD AUD 6% 5% 4.00% EURO AUD 6% 5% 4.00% USD AUD 6% 5% 4.00% AED AUD 6% 5% 4.00% BGN AUD 6% 5% 4.00% BRL AUD 6% 5% 4.00% CAD AUD 6% 5% 4.00% CHF AUD 6% 5% 4.00% CZK AUD 6% 5% 4.00% DKK AUD 6% 5% 4.00% GPB AUD 6% 5% 4.00% HKD AUD 6% 5% 4.00% HRK AUD 6% 5% 4.00% HUF AUD 6% 5% 4.00% IDR AUD 6% 5% 4.00% INR AUD 7% 6% 5.00% JPY AUD 6% 5% 4.00% MYR AUD 6% 5% 4.00% NOK AUD 6% 5% 4.00% NZD AUD 6% 5% 4.00% PLN AUD 6% 5% 4.00% RON AUD 6% 5% 4.00% SEK AUD 6% 5% 4.00% SGD AUD 7% 6% 5.00% TRY PAY RECIVE FREELANCER CURRENCY EMPLOYER CURRENCY FAST TRANSFER EASY TRANSFER ECONOMY TRANSFER IN WISE ACCOUNT CHF 5% 4% 3.00% CHF CHF 6% 5% 4.00% EURO CHF 6% 5% 4.00% USD CHF 6% 5% 4.00% AED CHF 6% 5% 4.00% AUD CHF 6% 5% 4.00% BGN CHF 6% 5% 4.00% BRL CHF 6% 5% 4.00% CAD CHF 6% 5% 4.00% CHF CHF 6% 5% 4.00% DKK CHF 6% 5% 4.00% GPB CHF 6% 5% 4.00% HKD CHF 6% 5% 4.00% HRK CHF 6% 5% 4.00% HUF CHF 6% 5% 4.00% IDR CHF 6% 5% 4.00% INR CHF 7% 6% 5.00% JPY CHF 6% 5% 4.00% MYR CHF 6% 5% 4.00% NOK CHF 6% 5% 4.00% NZD CHF 6% 5% 4.00% PLN CHF 6% 5% 4.00% RON CHF 6% 5% 4.00% SEK CHF 6% 5% 4.00% SGD CHF 7% 6% 5.00% TRY PAY RECIVE FREELANCER CURRENCY EMPLOYER CURRENCY FAST TRANSFER EASY TRANSFER ECONOMY TRANSFER IN WISE ACCOUNT HKD 5% 4% 3.00% HKD HKD 6% 5% 4.00% EURO HKD 6% 5% 4.00% USD HKD 6% 5% 4.00% AED HKD 6% 5% 4.00% AUD HKD 6% 5% 4.00% BGN HKD 6% 5% 4.00% BRL HKD 6% 5% 4.00% CAD HKD 6% 5% 4.00% CHF HKD 6% 5% 4.00% CZK HKD 6% 5% 4.00% DKK HKD 6% 5% 4.00% GPB HKD 6% 5% 4.00% HRK HKD 6% 5% 4.00% HUF HKD 6% 5% 4.00% IDR HKD 6% 5% 4.00% INR HKD 7% 6% 5.00% JPY HKD 6% 5% 4.00% MYR HKD 6% 5% 4.00% NOK HKD 6% 5% 4.00% NZD HKD 6% 5% 4.00% PLN HKD 6% 5% 4.00% RON HKD 6% 5% 4.00% SEK HKD 6% 5% 4.00% SGD HKD 7% 6% 5.00% TRY PAY RECIVE FREELANCER CURRENCY EMPLOYER CURRENCY FAST TRANSFER EASY TRANSFER ECONOMY TRANSFER IN WISE ACCOUNT NZD 5% 4% 3.00% NZD NZD 6% 5% 4.00% HKD NZD 6% 5% 4.00% EURO NZD 6% 5% 4.00% USD NZD 6% 5% 4.00% AED NZD 6% 5% 4.00% AUD NZD 6% 5% 4.00% BGN NZD 6% 5% 4.00% BRL NZD 6% 5% 4.00% CAD NZD 6% 5% 4.00% CHF NZD 6% 5% 4.00% CZK NZD 6% 5% 4.00% DKK NZD 6% 5% 4.00% GPB NZD 6% 5% 4.00% HRK NZD 6% 5% 4.00% HUF NZD 6% 5% 4.00% IDR NZD 6% 5% 4.00% INR NZD 7% 6% 5.00% JPY NZD 6% 5% 4.00% MYR NZD 6% 5% 4.00% NOK NZD 6% 5% 4.00% NZD NZD 6% 5% 4.00% PLN NZD 6% 5% 4.00% RON NZD 6% 5% 4.00% SEK NZD 6% 5% 4.00% SGD NZD 7% 6% 5.00% TRY PAY RECIVE FREELANCER CURRENCY EMPLOYER CURRENCY FAST TRANSFER EASY TRANSFER ECONOMY TRANSFER IN WISE ACCOUNT MYR 6% 5% 4.00% MYR MYR 7% 6% 5.00% NZD MYR 7% 6% 5.00% HKD MYR 7% 6% 5.00% EURO MYR 7% 6% 5.00% USD MYR 7% 6% 5.00% AED MYR 7% 6% 5.00% AUD MYR 7% 6% 5.00% BGN MYR 7% 6% 5.00% BRL MYR 7% 6% 5.00% CAD MYR 7% 6% 5.00% CHF MYR 7% 6% 5.00% CZK MYR 7% 6% 5.00% DKK MYR 7% 6% 5.00% GPB MYR 7% 6% 5.00% HRK MYR 7% 6% 5.00% HUF MYR 7% 6% 5.00% IDR MYR 7% 6% 5.00% INR MYR 7% 6% 5.00% JPY MYR 7% 6% 5.00% NOK MYR 7% 6% 5.00% NZD MYR 7% 6% 5.00% PLN MYR 7% 6% 5.00% RON MYR 7% 6% 5.00% SEK MYR 7% 6% 5.00% SGD MYR 7% 6% 5.00% TRY PAY RECIVE FREELANCER CURRENCY EMPLOYER CURRENCY FAST TRANSFER EASY TRANSFER ECONOMY TRANSFER IN WISE ACCOUNT PLN 5% 4% 3.00% PLN PLN 6% 5% 4.00% MYR PLN 6% 5% 4.00% NZD PLN 6% 5% 4.00% HKD PLN 6% 5% 4.00% EURO PLN 6% 5% 4.00% USD PLN 6% 5% 4.00% AED PLN 6% 5% 4.00% AUD PLN 6% 5% 4.00% BGN PLN 6% 5% 4.00% BRL PLN 6% 5% 4.00% CAD PLN 6% 5% 4.00% CHF PLN 6% 5% 4.00% CZK PLN 6% 5% 4.00% DKK PLN 6% 5% 4.00% GPB PLN 6% 5% 4.00% HRK PLN 6% 5% 4.00% HUF PLN 6% 5% 4.00% IDR PLN 6% 5% 4.00% INR PLN 7% 6% 5.00% JPY PLN 6% 5% 4.00% NOK PLN 6% 5% 4.00% NZD PLN 6% 5% 4.00% RON PLN 6% 5% 4.00% SEK PLN 6% 5% 4.00% SGD PLN 7% 6% 5.00% TRY PAY RECIVE FREELANCER CURRENCY EMPLOYER CURRENCY FAST TRANSFER EASY TRANSFER ECONOMY TRANSFER IN WISE ACCOUNT SGD 7% 6% 5.00% SGD SGD 7% 6% 5.00% MYR SGD 7% 6% 5.00% NZD SGD 7% 6% 5.00% HKD SGD 7% 6% 5.00% EURO SGD 7% 6% 5.00% USD SGD 7% 6% 5.00% AED SGD 7% 6% 5.00% AUD SGD 7% 6% 5.00% BGN SGD 7% 6% 5.00% BRL SGD 7% 6% 5.00% CAD SGD 7% 6% 5.00% CHF SGD 7% 6% 5.00% CZK SGD 7% 6% 5.00% DKK SGD 7% 6% 5.00% GPB SGD 7% 6% 5.00% HRK SGD 7% 6% 5.00% HUF SGD 7% 6% 5.00% IDR SGD 7% 6% 5.00% INR SGD 7% 6% 5.00% JPY SGD 7% 6% 5.00% NOK SGD 7% 6% 5.00% NZD SGD 7% 6% 5.00% PLN SGD 7% 6% 5.00% RON SGD 7% 6% 5.00% SEK SGD 7% 6% 5.00% TRY PAY RECIVE FREELANCER CURRENCY EMPLOYER CURRENCY FAST TRANSFER EASY TRANSFER ECONOMY TRANSFER IN WISE ACCOUNT HUF 5% 4% 3.00% HUF HUF 6% 5% 4.00% PLN HUF 6% 5% 4.00% MYR HUF 6% 5% 4.00% NZD HUF 6% 5% 4.00% HKD HUF 6% 5% 4.00% EURO HUF 6% 5% 4.00% USD HUF 6% 5% 4.00% AED HUF 6% 5% 4.00% AUD HUF 6% 5% 4.00% BGN HUF 6% 5% 4.00% BRL HUF 6% 5% 4.00% CAD HUF 6% 5% 4.00% CHF HUF 6% 5% 4.00% CZK HUF 6% 5% 4.00% DKK HUF 6% 5% 4.00% GPB HUF 6% 5% 4.00% HRK HUF 6% 5% 4.00% HUF HUF 6% 5% 4.00% IDR HUF 6% 5% 4.00% INR HUF 7% 6% 5.00% JPY HUF 6% 5% 4.00% NOK HUF 6% 5% 4.00% NZD HUF 6% 5% 4.00% RON HUF 6% 5% 4.00% SEK HUF 6% 5% 4.00% SGD HUF 7% 6% 5.00% TRY PAY RECIVE FREELANCER CURRENCY EMPLOYER CURRENCY FAST TRANSFER EASY TRANSFER ECONOMY TRANSFER IN WISE ACCOUNT RON 5% 4% 3.00% RON RON 6% 5% 4.00% HUF RON 6% 5% 4.00% PLN RON 6% 5% 4.00% MYR RON 6% 5% 4.00% NZD RON 6% 5% 4.00% HKD RON 6% 5% 4.00% EURO RON 6% 5% 4.00% USD RON 6% 5% 4.00% AED RON 6% 5% 4.00% AUD RON 6% 5% 4.00% BGN RON 6% 5% 4.00% BRL RON 6% 5% 4.00% CAD RON 6% 5% 4.00% CHF RON 6% 5% 4.00% CZK RON 6% 5% 4.00% DKK RON 6% 5% 4.00% GPB RON 6% 5% 4.00% HRK RON 6% 5% 4.00% HUF RON 6% 5% 4.00% IDR RON 6% 5% 4.00% INR RON 7% 6% 5.00% JPY RON 6% 5% 4.00% NOK RON 6% 5% 4.00% NZD RON 6% 5% 4.00% RON RON 6% 5% 4.00% SEK RON 6% 5% 4.00% SGD RON 7% 6% 5.00% TRY PAY RECIVE FREELANCER CURRENCY EMPLOYER CURRENCY FAST TRANSFER EASY TRANSFER ECONOMY TRANSFER IN WISE ACCOUNT TRY 7% 6% 5.00% TRY TRY 7% 6% 5.00% SGD TRY 7% 6% 5.00% MYR TRY 7% 6% 5.00% NZD TRY 7% 6% 5.00% HKD TRY 7% 6% 5.00% EURO TRY 7% 6% 5.00% USD TRY 7% 6% 5.00% AED TRY 7% 6% 5.00% AUD TRY 7% 6% 5.00% BGN TRY 7% 6% 5.00% BRL TRY 7% 6% 5.00% CAD TRY 7% 6% 5.00% CHF TRY 7% 6% 5.00% CZK TRY 7% 6% 5.00% DKK TRY 7% 6% 5.00% GPB TRY 7% 6% 5.00% HRK TRY 7% 6% 5.00% HUF TRY 7% 6% 5.00% IDR TRY 7% 6% 5.00% INR TRY 7% 6% 5.00% JPY TRY 7% 6% 5.00% NOK TRY 7% 6% 5.00% NZD TRY 7% 6% 5.00% PLN TRY 7% 6% 5.00% RON TRY 7% 6% 5.00% SEK