How to Find Freelancers Using Craigslist

So you need to hire a freelancer – what’s your first step? Some might automatically think of heading toward a crowd sourcing site like Guru or Elance, but that can be more complex and time-consuming than some businesses want to get into.  A quick, easy and free way to advertise for freelance gigs is Craigslist.com, that old reliable internet classifieds board.

The best thing about Craigslist is the ability to find someone local. Perhaps you need a bookkeeper, or a graphic designer who can meet with you regularly in person.  It can be difficult working remotely with a freelancer like this, depending on your business’ needs. Craigslist will put all of the freelancers in your area at your fingertips.  Instead of perusing the yellow pages or trawling freelancers’ websites online, let Craigslist do the work for you – prospects will come to you instead of the other way around.

Another great aspect of using Craigslist to hire freelancers is that it’s so fast.  Thousands of freelancers monitor Craigslist for ads that fit their skills, and often you’ll get lightning-fast replies to your requests.  If you get multiple responses to your ad and are having trouble deciding, you may choose to meet with them in person or ask for their portfolios.

Placing an ad on Craigslist is simple.  First, you’ll want to determine exactly what you’re looking for, how much you’re willing to pay, and what your requirements are. Once you’ve decided that, write up your ad.  Include the information above as well as a specific respond-to address and, if necessary, a sample request (if you’re hiring a graphic designer, web designer or writer, for example).  The more detail you include about the job, the more likely you are to receive responses from people who might actually work out.

If you find that you aren’t getting the right responses, just change your ad. Make it more specific, or place it in the nearest big city.  For example, if your business is located in St. Augustine, Florida, you might have better luck placing the ad in the Jacksonville section.

Craigslist can also be a great way to outsource last-minute projects.  Got a tight deadline? Don’t lose clients – post the details of the project, the deadline and the pay on Craigslist and you’re likely to find someone to help you get it done in time.  Outsourcing individual projects on Craigslist can also help you find tried-and-true freelancers you’ll go to again and again.

Some business owners find that they’d rather use a specific freelancing site where freelancers’ previous clients have left feedback, and samples are viewable with the click of a mouse.  If that sounds more like what you’re looking for, check out our previous post, ‘Needle in a Haystack: Finding Great Graphic Designers for Your Small Business Who Work On Budget and On Time’.

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