I’m seeing a lot more people freelance – either as a side-hustle, as an interim project or as a full-time gig – or start up solo shops.
And I get a lot of asks for freelance referrals from companies & organizations. Just this past week, I’ve had 5 asks. I’d like to facilitate those connections but my brain can’t keep up with the permutations.
This is the scalability problem with freelancing. How much work is a company willing to expend to find someone for a small project? How much time do you waste as a freelancer trying to get work?
And what if I need something specialized (whether I know it or not)? Or what if my work is only in a specific area?
Anyway, it feels hugely inefficient and I’d like to figure out an answer to the problem.
My working thought is this;
1) Put together a Web Mavens referral group
Freelancers list skills & experience so that when a there is an ask for a specific skill, it’s easier to find someone.
2) Add on a searchable database
Once the referral group is populated, open it up more broadly so it can be a database of freelancers in DC. The original group will get more prominence, both to thank them for participating and because they are more known-quantities.
But is there interest?? Is this really a need or is this just something I personally want?
I have considered the existing freelance websites but I hate using them personally – and I’d also like to benefit the DC community.
I’d love your feedback. Please share below (or use the contact form if they aren’t public).
-Jasmine
PS – If you freelance, you can indicate that on the email list signup form. If you’ve already signed-up, either use the edit profile link in the confirmation email or email dcwebmavens@gmail.com & I’ll update it.
Leave a Reply
10 Comments on "Matching Companies with Freelancers"
I love this idea! Thanks! I’m currently contracting FT but looking for small side hussles to branch out/keep skills strong.
As someone new to freelance and to the DC Web Mavens group, I love this idea. A place to list skills, verticals, and interests seems like a great resource. (I would have found it valuable when I was on the organization side, too.) I’d be happy to help build such a thing if you need volunteers.
I think this is a fantastic idea. I’m a technical SEO freelancer and always appreciate referrals. The main problem aside from matching clients to freelancers is, as Janet noted, is vetting. I’d be happy to help participate in setting something like this up with others if there’s interest.
Nice idea, Jasmine! I learned recently that there is a Facebook group for DC-area freelancers. It’s not a database, but might be worth exploration.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dcfreelancers/
Hey Jasmine,
You should check out Submittable https://www.submittable.com It’s a tool that’s used by magazines to receive articles from potential contributors. It’s so easy to use that I think it could be used for more than just article submissions. For example, companies could post their opportunities, ask for proposals, and then evaluate them in the tool.
Joe
Talking with them now…. Though I’m not sure I can afford the service AirBnB uses 🙂
I think it’d be interesting! Even great! I run the Facebook group Freelance DC so I can confirm the vetting process is… exhausting. And you don’t want to be on the hook for quality. But Freelance DC is just a support group for freelancers and explicitly not for connecting with projects (unless a freelancer needs help), and the desire for a way to find work has been expressed by the community for sure. If you need any support/insights, lemme know!
I love Freelance DC (everyone should join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dcfreelancers/)
Thanks for running such an awesome group. And I’d love your help/insight/participation.
Part of what I’ve noticed is that projects or specialties that are easily understood or have a title that corresponds with traditional “jobs”, it’s easier to communicate from both the client and freelancer side. Which is great – but it falls down if you need something specific or don’t know the words to describe what you are looking for., use terms that are specialized, etc. Ideally, this would cover that challenge too.