How to Find and Manage Freelancers While there is no shortage of great freelancers available, it can be challenging to find ones who are available when you need them, easy to work with, and who have the experience and expertise to consistently deliver the quality services you need. Before looking for freelancers, make sure that you have a good understanding not only of any specific projects that you need them to work on, but also of how they might complement your team. While freelancers certainly can be used as a source of manpower, they can also be leveraged to fill any gaps in your team’s skill sets, knowledge, and expertise. Think about how you can utilize freelancers strategically to expand your content factory’s scope and capabilities. There are numerous resources that you can tap into to find freelancers, including vendor-matching sites such Elance and Freelancer.com, as well as national agencies such as Creative Circle and Aquent. The advantage of using any of these resources is that they have a roster of vetted freelancers at their disposal, which makes finding the talent you need a quick and pain- less process. The trade-off, however, is that you will pay a premium for the freelancers in the form of fees and other add-on expenses. You may also find that agencies and vendor matching sites don’t always have candidates with the deep industry expertise you may require. That is why you should also always be sure to tap into your own network. Ask your peers at other companies about freelancers they have worked with and if they would be willing to refer you to any of them. Likewise, once you have found freelancers you like, ask them to refer you to any others they know. Referrals are far and away the best method for finding freelancers who are trustworthy and capable of producing the high-quality content that you need. Once you find great freelancers, use the three tips on the following page to help you onboard and manage them successfully. It Takes a Content Factory! | 69