Almost half of marketing professionals are freelancers. With over 1.5 billion freelancers worldwide, Design and Marketing make up over two-thirds of them. Navigating this vast talent pool to find the perfect freelancer for your project can feel like seeking a needle in a haystack.

A well-structured and strategic approach to hiring freelancers can significantly enhance project success and ROI. According to a report by the Project Management Institute, organizations that align their projects with strategic goals see a 27% increase in project success rates.

At Metodas, we’ve perfected our freelancer selection process, taking about three weeks per freelancer. Here’s what we’ve learned:

1. Structured and Holistic Process

A top freelancer won’t just ask for a task list. They’ll want to understand your ultimate goal and outline the steps to achieve it. For example, rather than asking for a list of blog posts to write, they’ll seek to understand your content strategy and how it aligns with your overall business goals. If they ask for a list of micro-deliveries, it’s a red flag—they may lack strategic vision.

2. Anticipated and Developed Workflows

A knowledgeable freelancer anticipates their needs and has everything planned. Structured surveys and technical documentation should be prepared upfront, leaving no room for improvisation. For instance, they might present you with a preliminary project timeline and necessary resources during the initial meeting. They’ll inform you of these needs early on, avoiding surprises later in the project.

3. ROI Focus

Ask about their experience in similar missions. Don’t settle for a broad overview—ask for specifics: What was the conversion rate? What was the ROI? A genuine marketer or creative will be comfortable discussing these details, even if they don’t remember exact numbers. For instance, they might tell you, “In a similar campaign, we achieved a 20% increase in conversion rates and a 15% ROI within three months.”

4. Behavior and Ethics

Ethics and professionalism are crucial. Ask them directly about their work ethics. Pay attention to small details: Are they punctual? Do they reschedule meetings promptly? Are they respectful? These traits, though subtle, are essential, and your intuition can often guide you here. For example, a freelancer who consistently meets deadlines and communicates transparently about challenges demonstrates a strong work ethic.

5. A Willingness to Learn and Adapt

Marketing is one of the fastest-changing industries. A freelancer who remains static and shows no interest in expanding their knowledge or updating their skills is a red flag. While it’s unrealistic to expect a freelancer to be an expert in every new trend, their openness to learning and adapting is crucial. A freelancer should continuously improve their skills and workflows, ensuring they stay relevant. Remember, the client should never have to adapt to a freelancer’s outdated processes; it’s the freelancer’s responsibility to evolve and meet the client’s needs.

How to Save Time on This Process? Hire from our vetted collective

We’ve already tested, interviewed, and selected top freelancers in all marketing disciplines. Schedule a call with no engagement and let’s discuss your current needs. You can always decline after meeting our freelancers.