Outsourcing a business developer can be a difficult task. They don’t have a home in your company like full-time employees do. They also aren’t acquainted with the team. And they might not know the ins and outs of your business like somebody would who’s been working with you for years.
But all of these can be good things. Freelance business developers bring in an outside perspective and new, innovative ideas. They likely work with a basketful of other companies and can bring that knowledge and experience to yours.
So how do you find a good one?
What You Should Look for in a Freelance Business Developer
Look for somebody with proven freelance business development experience, but don’t get hung up on their job title. If you need somebody who knows how to increase conversion rates, look for somebody with a proven record in conversion rate improvement. This might be someone with the title, “freelance business developer”, but it could also be a “sales strategy consultant” or a “freelance marketer”. Ensure the person who you hire checks the boxes for each of your required skills, including:
- Lead generation
- Sales strategy
- Customer service
- Partnership development
- Social Media ROI and other KPIs
- eCommerce
And any other component of business development you need help with. It’s useful to think of your upcoming hire as a project manager. Project managers should check off the above skills while demonstrating knowledge of your product or services, competitive space, and ability to formulate and execute a business plan that will meet your business development goals.
Where You Can Find a Business Development Project Manager
With over 57 million freelance workers in the United States alone, you’ll find no shortage of potential candidates. The challenge is finding the one that works best for your needs. Here are some different sites that can help you find the right freelance hire.
PeoplePerHour
This platform has been used for over a decade and allows you to scroll through potential candidates who show up based on the categories you search for (i.e., lead generation, digital marketing, etc.). Each candidate has a profile that includes an overall rating, bio, skills, endorsements, and contact information.
Guru
Guru can connect you with both small businesses that outsource business development people as well as individual freelance workers on the job search, allowing you to sift through different profiles as you decide who to reach out to. It is secure, flexible, and cost-effective.
Indeed
Let the freelancers come to you. Indeed is a massive job listing platform that allows you to post exactly what you’re looking for and let the applications roll in. You can specify that you’re seeking a freelance business developer to help you achieve goals X, Y, and Z.
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is an easy-to-use platform that allows you to post your job in minutes. After posting, it gets sent to over 100 job sites and the company’s technology finds potential strong-match candidates in order to invite them to apply via job alerts. As you receive more applications, you can easily manage and rate them all in a user-friendly dashboard.
Many freelancers use LinkedIn’s “Open to Business” profile feature to allow recruiters to find them based on their relevant services. Using LinkedIn is an effective and smart way of finding the right candidate for your company.
Freelancers as a Business Asset
The world is continuing to digitalize, and remote work is increasingly becoming a business norm—sped up by the Covid-19 pandemic. The world of freelance continues to expand yearly, and previously unconventional freelance jobs are becoming more appealing to savvy business leaders. Freelancers are an efficient and cost-effective way to meet your business needs and goals. Just make sure you research and plan accordingly, so you find one that sets your organization up for growth and success.
