Most startups simply don't have the bandwidth to accomplish everything they want to with time to spare. But working with big, impersonal marketplaces to find freelance talent isn't for everyone, either.
That's why we asked a panel of startup founders from the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) what new freelance marketplaces they've had their eye on:
Q. With eLance and Odesk merging, what are some other freelance marketplaces for entrepreneurs to consider who would rather work with an up-and-comer in the space?
Their best answers are below:
1. Staff.com
Staff.com is a great alternative to oDesk and Elance. I believe it will become a big player in this space as it focuses on long-term engagements, rather than just quick gigs.
- Patrick Conley, Automation Heroes
2. TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit is an interesting tool to outsource the physical tasks you would rather not deal with, like grocery shopping or even building your IKEA furniture. It could be useful when you need to get something done in a hurry.
3. Fiverr
Naming itself Fiverr has forever associated the company with $5 dollar gigs, but the Gig Extras feature allows for larger and more customized jobs. Fiverr attracts a different talent pool than oDesk and Elance, so it’s worth checking out for creative vendors.
- Sam Saxton, Salter Spiral Stair and Mylen Stairs
4. Expertise-Specific Sites
At Speek, we like to look for specialized freelance marketplaces, rather than general ones like Elance and oDesk. For example, when looking for a strong designer, we use sites like Behance and Dribbble, which host online portfolios of talented designers. When looking for a talented developer, we'll look at GitHub or the AngelList Talent feature.
- Danny Boice, Speek
5. Your Network
The best freelance marketplace that you have access to is your network. The downside of marketplaces like oDesk and Elance are that you never know what you're going to get when you first hire someone, which often leads to an extensive vetting process. You may save a few dollars by going there, but a recommendation from someone you trust will save you hours of valuable time.
- Emerson Spartz, Spartz
6. PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is a wonderful alternative to Elance and oDesk. Its UK marketplace makes for a great opportunity to partner with clients and businesses around the world.
7. Guru.com
Guru.com is the world's largest marketplace of freelancers, and it makes it quick and easy to find the help you need at an affordable rate.
8. Gigzolo
Gigzolo is a great up-and-coming resource to help people book creative types -- from photographers to videographers, artists, bands and more. It is not only beneficial for individuals, but it's also beneficial for companies looking to book on a larger scale.
9. HireMyMom.com
HireMyMom.com is a service that matches businesses with vetted contractors who have at least one or two years of experience in fields such as administration, research, writing, graphic design, editing, accounting, Web design, PR and marketing. The community is small but highly engaged and passionate.
