Finding the right person to complete a specific task (and do it well!) can be one of the biggest challenges that marketers face. You may work with a local agency to define your creative requirements, such as website design, but what happens when you need a specialized skill, such as content editing, creating a logo or refining an ad idea? It often makes sense to turn to a talent marketplace, where you can search through a large volume of vetted, qualified freelancers on a freelance platform to find the specific skillset you need.
Businesses search through the directory of freelancers based on certain criteria, such as experience and skills, before finalizing.
In this post, we will let you in on all you need to know about freelancing marketplaces and how you can benefit as a business and as a freelancer.
What Exactly Is Freelance Marketing?
Let’s separate the terms. In freelancing, you execute contracts independently for clients on a part-time basis and get paid per project, per task or per hour. Put simply; you are your boss!
In marketing, a series of processes or activities is carried out by a business to promote the sale of a product or a service.
Put together, we see that as a freelance marketer, your work is to cooperate with businesses on a contract basis to increase the sales of their products or services. This meet-up is facilitated by freelance marketplaces.
Which Marketplace Is the Best for Freelancers and Businesses?
Freelance marketing offers a wide range of benefits, spanning from affordability and time efficiency, allowing your business to thrive. However, finding the right platform may be daunting. Here is a list of the best marketing freelance platforms and their peculiarities for you to consider.
1. WriterAccess
WriterAccess is a content creation platform that gives you the talent, tools and training you need to scale content marketing. They will guide you as you grow your business or agency, and help you master content marketing to win online.
2. Upwork
Upwork provides a broad pool of freelancers in a variety of specialties. Here, prospects send in their proposals in response to a job posting.
3. Mayple
Mayple provides you with only experienced marketing gurus with a demonstrated performance history.
4. MarketerHire
MarketerHire’s team focuses on providing appropriate expertise to meet your needs. The agency pre-selects its marketing experts to ensure you get the best professional for the job.
5. FlexJobs
FlexJobs aim to provide the best remote work experience to freelancers. With over 27,000 quality job listings, you are sure o get a good pick.
6. Freelancer.com
Freelancer.com is one of the oldest freelancing websites. It hosts freelancers from every and any field and allows them to build comprehensive portfolios. They also administer tests to verify the freelancers’ skill sets which you can review to make your decision.
7. PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour offers an exhaustive list of competent freelancers with experience in a variety of fields of knowledge.
8. ServiceScape
ServiceScape offers a massive database of freelancers across different fields, including translation, graphic design, content writing, illustrations and more.
9. FreeUp
FreeUp simplifies your search by pre-vetting their freelancers ahead of time. They also offer concierge support with a no-turnover guarantee to make you feel confident while searching.
10. ClearVoice
ClearVoice has a network of expert freelancers that can help your brand create better content. Their core values promote collaboration and professionalism.
11. Guru
Almost a million businesses have chosen Guru as their marketing freelance platform. They are known for their low fees, compliance and security benefits and custom-built solutions.
12. GrowTal
GrowTal offers a very simplified hiring process to help you get the service you need. They work with a select group of pre-vetted marketing experts.
13. Contently
Contently focuses on serving you high-quality content and takes a step further to measure the impact of their content on your business. They generate $13.1 million as ROI for their customers per year. Their contents include infographics, video scripts, animations and more.
14. Working Not Working
Working Not Working is a highly selective platform, meaning they only accept about 10% of freelancers who register. They focus mainly on marketing jobs and creative design. This site’s membership is a flat subscription rate for companies depending on the size and timeframe of their project.
15. CloudPeeps
CloudPeeps is a member-driven platform with a community of qualified freelancers, trusted by over 20,000 businesses across 150 countries. Simply post a listing, then find a match and get started.
16. Fiverr
Fiverr parades hundreds of freelancers that run their stores. You can basically get any service on Fiverr, and at a friendly price too.
17. Dribbble
Dribbble is an inclusive platform where designers and creatives gather to share their masterpieces. You can learn design by taking available courses and apply directly for job listings on the job board.
18. Behance
Behance is a design collection website that has grown into a large designer community. You can post a listing or search for a designer directly.
19. 99designs
99designs is a logo marketplace. It allows you to run a logo contest based on your requirements. 99designs stands out with its flexibility and the ability to interact with designers to make modifications and amendments to arrive at a design that will be pleasant for both parties.
20. Startupers
Startupers may be slightly less popular compared to some of these other platforms, but its offers are helpful to businesses, especially startups. You’ll find unconventional roles such as campaign strategist, client manager and technical support to data analyst, AML investigator, senior back-end engineer jobs, and so on.
How Much Do Freelancers Make?
According to 2020 freelancer research data, freelancers in the U.S. earn an average of $20 per hour.
Freelancers working in web development, marketing, legal, accounting and other skilled services earn higher wages starting at $28/hour — more than 70% of all workers in the United States!
How to Get Started as a Freelance Online Marketer: A Step-by-Step Guide
Freelance marketing may be intimidating if you’re a complete newbie. However, knowing how to navigate your way will make all the difference. And even if you have some work experience in the field, switching to freelancing can feel daunting. Follow this step-by-step guide to help you get started.
1. Establish Your Niche
Choosing a niche is critical to your success as a freelance marketer.
Digital marketing is a broad industry, so you don’t want to be caught trying to gulp it all in at once. Whether it’s content writing or graphics creation, niching down to your areas of strength and profitability will help you improve and increase your credibility before potential clients.
2. Build a Portfolio
Building a portfolio is all about making yourself known. Whether it is a personal website or some online portfolio, every freelance marketer needs a space where they can showcase their content and certifications. You can also host your work testimonials and give companies reasons to hire you.
3. Find a Network
A 2022 study shows that 42% of freelancers find high-paying gigs from word-of-mouth referrals. Hiring managers and HR tend to rely more on referrals from trusted contacts than on job postings. Actively participate on social media, join freelance communities and build relationships with other freelance digital marketers.
4. Promote Your Business
Be your first salesperson! Who says you have to wait for a listing before sending applications? Contact the customer service of businesses in your related industry and pitch your services to them. Let them know how your services can help them using strategies and work samples.
Another way to promote your business at its initial stage as a freelancer is to work for free. It is an interesting way to build your portfolio, gain experience and gather reviews.
5. Make It Legal
As your business grows, you will need to make things legal. Register your business, get your tax ID (or its equivalent) and other relevant documentation to avoid problems that may arise in the future.
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How Do I Find the Best Freelance Marketer for My Business?
Apart from downsizing the workforce of your business, freelance marketers save you from the expenses of putting together a marketing team and the corresponding cost overheads and liabilities. Most importantly, it will allow your business to get a freelance marketing expert easily and fast, depending on your budget. Utilizing the appropriate freelance marketer for your specific need is pivotal to reaping the benefits of freelance marketing. We’ve listed our top recommendations above, but eventually, you must find the platform that best meets your company’s personal ideals and needs.
Sign Up with WriterAccess to Enjoy all the Benefits of an Ideal Freelance Marketplace
Take advantage of our content creation platform, WriterAccess, to hire the best writers, editors and designers for your content creation needs.
Also, our AI-powered tools are available to help you find the right talent, generate content ideas and ensure content originality. We also offer world-class content strategy training to help you maximize your investment and reach your goals.
Join the many businesses that have benefited from professional services rendered at WriterAccess. Sign up for a free trial today!