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I want to hire a freelancer

Prepare the project before comparing people.

Define the problem, describe the result, compare proposals on the same basis, and give the freelancer the decisions and feedback needed to do useful work.

Read the complete hiring guideCheck project readiness
A small-business owner organizing project goals, deliverables, timing, and responsibilities before hiring a freelancer

Before contacting anyone

Six answers make the first conversation more useful.

They do not need to be final. Mark uncertainty honestly so a freelancer can ask the right follow-up questions.

  1. 01

    Problem

    What is happening now, and why does it need attention?

  2. 02

    Outcome

    What should be different when the work is complete?

  3. 03

    Deliverables

    What tangible work do you expect to receive?

  4. 04

    Budget

    What can the project support, and what is still uncertain?

  5. 05

    Timing

    Which date matters, why, and which inputs affect it?

  6. 06

    Ownership

    Who decides, supplies materials, gives feedback, and approves?

A practical sequence

From a business need to a clean handover

A good engagement begins before the search. Prepare enough context to compare approaches, then keep decisions visible while the work moves.

  1. 01

    Define the problem and outcome

    Explain what is happening now, who is affected, and what should be different when the project succeeds. A requested output such as “a website” is more useful when it is connected to the business problem it should address.

  2. 02

    Prepare a bounded brief

    List the desired deliverables, important exclusions, target dates, budget context, available content or access, constraints, decision-maker, and signs that the work is ready to approve.

    Organize the scope with Lucy →
  3. 03

    Find and evaluate relevant people

    Use referrals, professional networks, directories, or freelance platforms. Look for relevant problem-solving evidence and clarify each person’s role in portfolio examples rather than comparing visual polish alone.

    Review platform terms and processes →
  4. 04

    Compare proposals on the same basis

    Normalize deliverables, exclusions, responsibilities, schedule, revision limits, rights, support, expenses, and assumptions before comparing totals. Different prices often describe materially different work.

  5. 05

    Agree on how the project will run

    Connect milestones to observable work, name the approver, define feedback and change handling, and understand payment, ownership, licensing, security, and final handover wording before work starts.

    Review supplied agreement wording →
  6. 06

    Support delivery and close the work

    Provide inputs and decisions on time, consolidate stakeholder feedback, distinguish corrections from new scope, test against agreed acceptance criteria, and confirm files, access, documentation, approval, and final payment.

    Compare a new request with the scope →

Where Lucy fits

Bring the wording after you understand the decision.

Lucy can identify gaps in a brief, explain supplied agreement terms, compare a new request with the scope, check invoice arithmetic, and organize a difficult timeline. She does not select a freelancer, determine the right budget, or replace your approval process.

Use the tool for the stage you are managing

Each stage is available directly. You do not need to use AI to follow the process or move to the next step.

Scroll to see all five stages

Explore all tools →
  1. 01ScopeScoping & ProposalsTurn the work, timing, and responsibilities into a shared plan.
  2. 02AgreeContracts & TermsUnderstand the wording, tradeoffs, and questions before signing.
  3. 03DeliverScope & CommunicationCompare new requests with the agreement and respond clearly.
  4. 04InvoiceInvoicing & PaymentCheck the figures and follow up without unnecessary friction.
  5. 05ResolveDisputes & Wind-downOrganize the facts and consider proportionate next steps.

Keep going

Prepare the next conversation

Complete learning path

How to hire a freelancer

Follow the full process from a business problem and project brief to proposal comparison, feedback, acceptance, payment, and handover.

Starter resource

Prepare a client project brief

Give every candidate the same problem, outcomes, deliverables, constraints, inputs, and approval process.

Pricing and budgeting

Compare quotes on the same basis

Normalize deliverables, responsibilities, revisions, support, expenses, fees, and assumptions before comparing totals.

See what a prepared freelancer is working through.

Understanding service definition, estimating, portfolio evidence, and delivery planning makes it easier to ask fair, useful questions.

View the freelancer path →