What makes a great freelancer? How to find the right creative partner for your brand.

Introduction

The idea of ‘freelancing’ has been around a long time, originating from the medieval term ‘free-lance’ which was used to describe mercenary knights whose services were often pledged to the highest bidder. 

This has evolved over the centuries into the modern meaning of freelance, which describes individuals who sell their services to a variety of employers rather than working full-time for one employer. 

Nowadays there is no shortage of freelancers out there. A quick scroll through LinkedIn or a Google search for ‘freelance copywriter’ will show you hundreds of options, each promising creativity, reliability, and results. 

So how do you tell the difference between a freelancer who simply gets the job done, and someone who becomes a real creative partner and plugin to your brand? 

1. A great freelancer understands your brand before they touch the brief

The best freelancers don’t just jump straight into the work. They ask questions and dig into your brand story, your audience and your goals so that they know exactly what you are looking to achieve. 

Whether it’s a photographer capturing your team culture, a copywriter crafting your tone of voice, or a content creator shaping your social content, great freelancers take the time to understand what your brand stands for so they can craft the best possible brand story for you. 

2. They communicate clearly (and honestly)

Great freelancers communicate well, in fact it’s one of the most important skills any freelancer should have. From initial contact, discussing the brief and setting expectations, a great freelancer should always be transparent and able to update you along the way whilst not being afraid to question and clarify instructions when needed. 

A great social media manager or brand strategist will collaborate openly and honestly and won’t be afraid to ask questions so that they can  turn your ideas into something better through shared insight, teamwork and expertise. 

3. They care about quality as much as you do

A great freelancer cares about the detail, whether that’s the design of a brand strategy deck, the finishing touches to a corporate photography edit or the research that goes into a piece of copywriting - details matter, and great freelancers want you to be impressed, they want you to use them again and again.  The small details are in many ways the unique selling points for freelance creatives that can set them apart from the competition. 

Freelancers who truly value quality treat your project like it’s their own. They don’t cut corners, and they don’t rush just to tick boxes. Whether they’re delivering photography, design, or brand strategy, they should care about creating something they’d proudly put their name to.

4. They bring ideas to the table

Hiring a freelancer shouldn’t mean hiring someone who simply executes. The right creative partner brings curiosity, fresh thinking and a fresh perspective. Sometimes having someone outside of your organisation can be exactly what you need to get the creative juices flowing. 

Freelancers should never just be ‘yes’ men or women, they should challenge, research and add value at every turn. It should be incredibly rare for a freelancer to accept a brief without any questions. When you hire a great freelancer you hire their skills, but you also hire someone with a fresh perspective who can give you an input of creative energy. 

5. They’re reliable and make your life easier

Deadlines. Consistency. Professionalism. These aren’t glamorous traits, but they’re what make a freelancer great.

When you find someone who hits every milestone, communicates clearly, and delivers exactly what they promised (or better), hold onto them. They’ll become an extension of your in-house team - without the business overheads.

6. They align with your values

At Clark Creative, we’ve built our freelance business across photography, videography, copywriting, social media, brand strategy and more based on the above principles and by working with companies that share our values of creativity, communication and collaboration. 

When you work with people who genuinely care about their craft and the people behind the project, the results always speak for themselves.

Final Thoughts

A great freelancer doesn’t just fill a gap in your team, they should elevate your brand. They bring ideas, energy, and expertise that can transform the way you communicate with your audience and tell your brand story.

Ready to work with great freelancers…Get in touch