Whether you're a developer/programmer, webmaster, copywriter, graphic designer... you're probably facing the same problem as all freelancers: how to find customers. For this, there are generalist platforms and others that specialize in your field and can put you in touch with potential customers.
The advantages of a freelance-to-client platform
Prospecting is an extremely time-consuming activity, which also requires a high level of morale. You have to send dozens of e-mails before you receive a positive response. This is because your service proposals don't necessarily arrive when the company you're approaching needs them. So there's a great deal of luck involved in this approach to finding customers.
On the other hand, most freelance/client networking platforms constantly have assignments available for you to enter. It's a very different approach to traditional prospecting.
So the first advantage of a freelancer/client networking platform is that it saves time. The second is the guarantee of payment for your work. In fact, it's the platforms that pay for your services. So you don't have to worry about customer reliability, and you don't have to worry about late payment reminders.
The way they work can vary from one platform to another. Some are free and paid for by the customer, while others require you to pay for access to certain assignments.
Two generalist freelance/client networking platforms
5 euros
The principle behind the 5 euros platform is to enable freelancers to offer their services by creating one or more microservices. Companies looking for a qualified person have access to all service offers. There are three registration options:
- A basic offer that's free with a 20% commission on each sale.
- Plus standard offer with €1 commission on each sale.
- A Plus Premium offer with the same commission as the previous offer.
Plus Standard and Plus Premium packages offer you greater visibility and marketing tools.
Malt
Registration on the Malt platform is free of charge. Freelancers are asked to fill in a questionnaire (surname, first name, email address, proof of professional status). All they then need to do is provide information on their skills and professional experience.
The principle is different on this platform, since it's the customer who enters into contact with the freelancer he or she has chosen on the basis of his or her profile. When the freelancer is contacted directly on the platform, he can discuss his rates and indicate his availability for the proposed assignment. They have the right to refuse the assignment if it doesn't suit them. If the freelancer enters into a contract with the client, the platform applies a 10% fee to the amount invoiced for the assignment. If the freelancer continues to work regularly with the same client, the percentage drops to 5% after three months of uninterrupted relationship.
Three specialized freelance/client matchmaking platforms
The owl
The Le hibou platform, dedicated to IT professions, enables companies to find IT experts. Registration is free, and the commission is paid by the end customer. Once the registration has been validated, the freelancer is put in touch with clients via the site. All assignments take place exclusively at the customer's premises.
Every month, this site offers a large number of assignments that match the freelancer's profile and the average daily rate (ADR) he or she has indicated. Assignments are generally long, with a minimum of 20 days and an average duration of 16 months, during which time the freelancer can take advantage of training and advice to enhance his or her profile. Last but not least, remuneration is guaranteed, regardless of the end customer's payment terms.
Textbroker
The Textbroker platform is exclusively dedicated to writing optimized articles for the Web. Registration is free, and commission is paid by the end customer.
To register, authors have to take a test to check their level of writing skill, which enables them to be awarded a certain number of stars (from 2 to 5). If the test is conclusive, they can then create their profile and immediately access "open orders". These are orders for texts to be written, classified according to the number of stars required, and available to all freelancers whose rating corresponds to the minimum required. There are also two other types of order: "team orders" and "direct orders", which are generally better paid.
GraphicsOnline
The GraphistesOnline platform brings together freelancers specialized in graphic design and customers with a project in mind. Two types of registration are possible:
- A free, no-obligation formula with limited access to projects. If the freelancer wins a project, he or she pays no commission.
- A pay-as-you-go formula, cancellable at any time, with access to 40 projects per month and no commission to pay on projects won.