The post How Using Freelance Workers Can Take Your Business To The Next Level appeared first on HostGator Blog | Gator Crossing . Our nation is seeing a drastically different workforce than that of our parents and those working prior to the advent of online communication. According to an article put out by the Wall Street Journal surveying the freelance demographic , more than one third of the United States (34%) now falls within the freelance category of employment. While it’s true there have always been independent entrepreneurs, and sole-proprietors offering independent contracts, never before have we seen such an exodus towards working from the comfort of our homes. This could include anyone from stay-at-home parents, those who are in between jobs, or those who are making a full time living right from their laptops. From the human resources perspective there can be many advantages to hiring a freelancer to fulfill certain tasks within your company. You won’t have to pay them for sick time, or vacations, and will simply pay them at an hourly rate based on the job specifications you have set forth. On the other side of things, there can also be problems associated with hiring someone with no investment in your business. That’s why we’ve come up with a modern toolkit for informing you on what kind of freelancers are out there, and how to go about employing them to your advantage. The 5 Types of Freelancers For Small Business When it comes to hiring a freelancer, these five categories tend to come in the most handy when looking for someone who can contribute remotely. 1. The Virtual Assistant – Let’s face it, sometimes the most valuable asset we can add to our team is the ability to cut out logistic tasks and free up some time. A VA can schedule appointments, manage the projects of your other freelancers, and apply for things like grants. Having this person manage these recurring tasks can really allow you to focus on what your passionate about with the business. 2. The Social Media Marketer – Not everyone wants to get involved with social media, or spend the time online studying posts, but in this day in age it’s nearly impossible to make a killing without putting yourself where the people are looking. Having someone handle your marketing will save you all the anxiety of forgetting to post, and having to deal with all the new trends if you’re truly not interested. 3. The Copywriter – Copywriters are the word smiths that ensure your audience is receiving your message fluently and effectively. Their strength in writing can assist you from anything to website content, grant applications, building an audience, or writing a proposal for your next project. Copywriters are in an overabundance so make sure to check their quality and work history prior to committing. 4. Web Designer/Programmer – The best part about this freelancer is their profession requires them to stay updated on the constant improvements and trends happening in the world of internet pioneering. Your specialty probably isn’t web design, and so in order for you to create a viable and engaging website it’s usually best to have this type of freelance consultant to produce the results that will deliver the best ROI. 5. The Designer – Just as web design can be very disciplined and challenging, artistic design usually comes from years of practice and experience. Branding your business is no trivial task, either, and bringing in someone who can add professionalism to your logos, pamphlets and even marketing posts will greatly improved how your company is perceived. What’s also great is that a lot of software goes into digital design these days, so when considering hiring a graphic designer remember you’re also not having to pay for the tools necessary to do it yourself. While these are some of the most common five, many other free lance occupations include: Accountants, Videographers, Photographers, IT Consultants, PR Experts, and Productivity Coaches. We strongly suggest interviewing their credentials thoroughly as freelancers have a reputation of moving on, or not turning in work in a reasonable amount of time. Here are some great resources for finding freelancers locally, or finding the best of who’s out there: Guru Elance Freelancer Craiglist Always negotiate for the best wage, take your time during the application process, and never be afraid to tell someone you’re ready to move in another direction. web hosting