How to attract freelance & contract talent

Hiring isn’t always about bringing someone on permanently. Sometimes the quickest and smartest way to get work done is to hire a freelancer or contractor. They can help you handle a busy period, fill a short-term gap, or bring in specialist skills that your team doesn’t have in-house.

We work with employers every day who are looking to attract flexible talent. Some know exactly what they need, others are less sure how to make their roles appeal to this type of worker.

In this blog, we’ll look at how to attract freelance and contract professionals, why the process is different from permanent hiring, and what you can do to secure the right people quickly.

If you're new to contract hiring or want to get the full picture first, our freelance and contract recruitment guide is a good place to start.

Why attracting freelance & contract talent is different from permanent hiring

Freelancers and contractors think differently from permanent candidates. Their focus is on the project, the terms, and whether the work fits their expertise and availability. While permanent hires often weigh up progression, benefits, and long-term stability, flexible workers prioritise clarity, speed, and fair pay.

This means your recruitment process needs to be adapted. To engage freelance and contract talent, you should:

• Write clear, outcome-driven briefs.

• Share transparent details on pay and timelines upfront.

• Move quickly through the hiring process before they accept another offer.

• Build trust by showing you value flexible professionals.

When you understand these differences, you can create a hiring strategy that appeals to freelancers and contractors while still protecting the quality of your projects.

Build a strong employer brand that appeals to flexible talent

Just because freelancers and contractors are not looking for long-term careers with you, it does not mean your employer brand does not matter. In fact, many flexible professionals choose projects based on reputation, reliability, and how well companies treat external workers.

A strong brand signals that you are organised, fair, and professional. Showcase your track record of paying on time, communicating clearly, and respecting contractors as part of the wider team. Positive word of mouth within freelance networks can make a big difference when you need to attract skilled talent at short notice.

You can also highlight company values and culture in your adverts or briefs. Freelancers often want to know they are contributing to meaningful work. A well-positioned brand helps you stand out and builds trust with the very people you want to hire.

Write clear, outcome-focused briefs to win the right candidates

Freelancers and contractors are usually hired to deliver a specific outcome. A vague brief slows things down and makes it harder to attract the right person. Instead, focus on what needs to be achieved, by when, and the resources available.

Be clear about deliverables, timelines, reporting lines, and decision-making authority. For example, rather than saying you need “marketing support,” specify whether you want campaign planning, content creation, or paid ads management, and outline the expected results. This helps candidates decide quickly if they are a fit.

A precise and outcome-driven brief also benefits you. It reduces misunderstandings, speeds up the hiring process, and increases the likelihood that your chosen freelancer or contractor can deliver exactly what you need.

Be transparent on pay, timelines and expectations

Freelancers and contractors value clarity. Being upfront about pay rates, deadlines, and expectations helps you attract serious candidates and avoid wasted conversations. If your budget is fixed, share it. If there’s room for negotiation, state the range and what it includes.

Transparency on timelines is just as important. Let candidates know when you need them to start, how long the project is expected to run, and whether there is potential for extension. Clear information builds trust and makes your opportunity more appealing.

Finally, outline expectations on availability, communication, and reporting. Do you need daily updates, weekly check-ins, or simply the agreed deliverables on time? Setting this out early avoids friction and ensures both sides are aligned.

Move quickly to secure in-demand freelancers & contractors

Freelancers and contractors are often juggling multiple offers, and the best talent does not stay available for long. If your hiring process drags, you risk losing them to another project. Speed matters.

Keep your recruitment process streamlined. Review applications promptly, arrange interviews quickly, and be decisive once you find the right person. A drawn-out process can suggest disorganisation and makes it less likely that a freelancer will commit.

Working with a specialist recruitment agency can help here. Agencies already have access to pre-vetted contract and freelance professionals, which means you can connect with the right talent faster and with less effort.

Use the right channels to find quality freelancers & contractors

Attracting strong freelance and contract talent is not just about posting a job ad and waiting. The best candidates often operate through specific networks and platforms, so choosing the right channels is essential.

For niche or technical roles, specialist job boards and professional communities are often more effective than general sites. LinkedIn remains a valuable tool for direct outreach, while referrals from your existing network can often produce trusted, reliable contractors. 

Recruitment agencies (like us) can also provide access to curated pools of freelance and contract talent, saving you time and ensuring quality.

The key is to focus your efforts where your ideal candidates are most active, rather than spreading resources too thin. By targeting the right channels, you improve both the speed and the quality of your hiring process.

Build long-term relationships with proven talent

Freelancers and contractors may be temporary by definition, but the best relationships are built over time. If you find someone who delivers high-quality work, communicates well, and fits your culture, it makes sense to stay connected.

Maintaining a trusted pool of contractors saves you significant time on future projects. Instead of starting from scratch each time, you can quickly reach out to people you already know and trust. This consistency also benefits your business, as contractors familiar with your systems and processes will integrate faster and add value sooner.

Simple steps such as providing clear feedback, paying on time, and keeping in touch between projects go a long way in building loyalty. Over time, these relationships can become an extension of your workforce, giving you reliable support whenever you need it.

Attracting freelance and contract talent is about clarity, speed, and trust. By building a strong employer brand, writing outcome-focused briefs, being transparent on pay, and using the right sourcing channels, you position your business as a client of choice. 

Moving quickly and maintaining long-term relationships with proven talent ensures you stay ahead when demand rises.

Looking for more detail on hiring freelancers or contractors? Read our ultimate guide to freelance and contract recruitment.