Want to learn how to hire a freelancer? At selfpublishing.com we work with freelancers all the time. We have vetted creatives who work with us on the editing process, book cover design, book formatting, and more.
But if you are just starting out with hiring freelancers, the process can be confusing. You may wonder, should I post a job on a platform? Ask for referrals? Would I get ghosted after paying the deposit?
If you’re new to hiring freelancers, whether it’s a book editor, cover designer, formatter, or any other creative pro, this guide will help you navigate the process with more confidence and fewer headaches.
Why hire freelancers in the first place?
For most self-publishing authors and creative professionals, building a full-time, in-house team just doesn’t make sense. Hiring freelancers allows you to:
- Access specialized expertise (think: developmental editors who live and breathe memoirs).
- Scale up or down depending on your book project timeline.
- Stay within budget, because you’re not paying for full-time salaries and benefits.
At selfpublishing.com, we work with dozens of vetted freelancers – editors, proofreaders, illustrators, formatters, and designers. Over time, we’ve learned a few things the hard way, and we’re here to help you avoid common pitfalls.
Step 1: Know what you need
Before you start searching for a freelancer, you need to get crystal clear on what you’re hiring for. Here are some examples:
Editing: Are you looking for a developmental editor to help restructure your story, or a copyeditor to polish your grammar and punctuation?
Design: Do you need a full cover wrap for print and eBook, or just a social media graphic for marketing?
Formatting: Will the book be distributed on Amazon Kindle only, or also IngramSpark, Apple Books, and print?
Personal tip: I once hired a formatter before deciding where the book would be published, and we had to redo the entire layout for IngramSpark. That mistake cost both time and money. Make sure you know exactly what you are looking for before hiring freelancers.
Step 2: Where to find freelancers
When hiring freelancers, some of the best places to start include online platforms and communities where professionals gather and showcase their work. Each has its own strengths and best-use scenarios, especially if you’re looking for someone to help with book editing, cover design, formatting, or even marketing.
Upwork:
Best for: Finding experienced freelancers across a wide range of services with flexible pricing.
Upwork is a massive freelance marketplace where you can find professionals for nearly any task—developmental editors, ghostwriters, book marketers, formatters, and more. You can either:
- Post a job and wait for proposals
- Invite freelancers who match your criteria
- Browse freelancer profiles and message them directly
Pros:
- Built-in time tracking and milestone features
- Strong freelancer vetting options (look for Top Rated or Expert-Vetted badges)
- You can negotiate custom contracts
Cons:
- Takes a little time to filter out low-quality proposals
Fiverr
Best for: Pre-packaged creative services like book covers, formatting, and proofreading.
Fiverr works a little differently – freelancers post “gigs” (services) with set prices, turnaround times, and add-ons. You browse, compare, and purchase the gig that best fits your needs. It’s great when you know exactly what you want.
Pros:
- Transparent pricing and delivery timelines
- Tiered packages (basic, standard, premium) make it easy to budget
- Huge pool of global talent
Cons:
- Quality can vary widely – reviews are crucial
- Limited customization unless you reach out to the seller beforehand
Reedsy
Best for: High-quality freelancers in the publishing world—editors, designers, formatters, and marketers.
Reedsy is like the Airbnb of book publishing freelancers. Every professional on the platform is vetted before being allowed to offer services. That means you’ll find top-tier talent with proven experience—many have worked with traditional publishing houses or bestselling indie authors.
Pros:
- Curated, publishing-specific professionals
- You can request quotes from up to five freelancers at a time
- Easy-to-use dashboard for managing proposals and payments
Cons:
- Often more expensive (but you get what you pay for)
- Smaller freelancer pool, so it’s not ideal for every budget
Best for: Connecting with professional freelancers and building long-term working relationships.
LinkedIn isn’t a traditional freelance marketplace, but it’s incredibly useful for researching freelancers, especially if you want to know their background, endorsements, and past experience. You can post job opportunities, or reach out to individuals who list freelance services on their profile.
Pros:
- Professional credibility and social proof (through recommendations)
- Great for networking and referrals
- You can see mutual connections and work history
Cons:
- No built-in payment or contract system
- Outreach can be slower compared to freelance-specific platforms
Facebook groups and author communities:
Best for: Referrals and finding freelancers with niche expertise in your genre.
There are dozens of Facebook groups for self-published authors, editors, and cover designers. These communities can be goldmines for recommendations. You can post asking for referrals, search the group for past threads, or connect directly with freelancers who actively participate in conversations.
Some great groups to check out:
- 20BooksTo50K® (massive indie author group)
- Self Publishing Support Group
- Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) Facebook Forum
Pros:
- Trust-based referrals from other authors
- Often more budget-friendly
- Easy to ask questions and see how freelancers engage with others
Cons:
- No platform protections or payment safeguards
- Quality varies; due diligence is key
Your ideal freelancer might be on Reedsy, or they might be posting cover designs in a Facebook group at 11 p.m. on a Tuesday. That’s why I recommend casting a wide net when starting your search.
Post in a few places, compare options, and don’t be afraid to have conversations before making a decision.
And once you find a great freelancer? Treat them like gold. A good editor, designer, or formatter can make all the difference in your publishing journey, and great relationships lead to great books.
Step 3: Write a strong job listing
Your job post is your first impression. A vague post leads to vague proposals. When hiring freelancers, here’s what to include:
- A clear title
Example: “Experienced Book Cover Designer Needed for Historical Fiction Novel”
- A detailed description
- The scope of the project
- Timeline
- Budget range
- Genre and target audience
- Any reference styles or examples
- Specific deliverables
- Front, spine, and back cover design
- Print-ready files for KDP and IngramSpark
- 3 rounds of revisions
- Ask for samples or portfolios
Always request relevant past work. If you’re hiring a formatter, ask to see books they’ve formatted that are already published.
Pro tip: I like to include a quick line like, “Please include the word ‘pineapple’ in your reply so I know you read the full listing.” It weeds out copy-paste responses.
Step 4: Vet when hiring freelancers
Once you’ve posted your job and received a handful (or a flood) of proposals, the real work begins: choosing the right person. This part can feel overwhelming—especially if everyone looks qualified on paper. But trust me, if you take the time to vet carefully, it can save you tons of stress (and revisions) later.
Here’s what I’ve learned about picking the best freelancer for the job, based on hires we’ve made at selfpublishing.com:
Review their portfolio thoroughly
This is your first look at their actual work, and it speaks louder than a polished pitch.
- For editors: Ask to see a sample of a before-and-after edit, if possible. Some freelancers will show tracked changes in Word, or provide examples from previous clients (with permission).
- For cover designers: Look at their use of typography, imagery, and how well their designs fit each book’s genre. A thriller cover should look totally different from a cozy romance.
- For formatters: Ask for screenshots or links to published books. You want to see clean margins, proper heading styles, page numbers, and consistency across chapters.
Tip: Don’t just look for “pretty” work—look for work that aligns with your book’s goals and audience. If your book is a gritty sci-fi novel, and their portfolio is all children’s books, they might not be the best match.
Check reviews and client feedback
On platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Reedsy, past clients can leave detailed reviews. Read them closely. And not just the star rating, but the actual comments.
Look for:
- Repeat clients: This is a huge green flag. If people keep coming back, the freelancer is likely reliable and easy to work with.
- Feedback on communication: A talented freelancer who misses deadlines or goes MIA is a risky investment.
- Mentions of problem-solving or going above and beyond: These can be more valuable than glowing praise.
Tip: If you’re hiring outside a platform (like via Facebook or LinkedIn), don’t be afraid to politely ask for references or testimonials. One quick DM to a past client can give you real insight into what it’s like to work with that person.
Do a short paid test project (if applicable)
This is especially useful for roles like editing, formatting, or writing, where quality can be subjective.
For example:
- Send a sample chapter to an editor and pay for a sample edit. You’ll get a feel for their tone, level of feedback, and attention to detail.
- Ask a formatter to create a short sample of your layout, maybe just 5–10 pages, to ensure they understand your aesthetic and style.
- For designers, you could start with a concept sketch or a mood board before committing to the full project.
Important: Always pay for test work. It shows respect for their time and professionalism – and also builds good will.
Communicate clearly and early
Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few finalists, take the time to connect personally before making your decision.
You can:
- Schedule a short video or phone call
- Chat over email or messaging through the platform
Use that time to:
- Ask about their process
- Clarify turnaround times
- Gauge how responsive and proactive they are
Red flags to watch for: vague answers, long delays in replies, or any pressure to skip contracts or payment platforms.
When I interview freelancers, I’m not just listening to what they say, I’m watching how they communicate. Do they ask smart questions? Do they listen to what I’m really looking for? A 15-minute conversation can reveal a lot.
Bonus: Look for niche experience
While general freelancers might have great skills, it’s often a game-changer to hire someone who specializes in books or even your specific genre. For example:
- A designer who knows the genre conventions of thriller covers will likely make better design choices that resonate with readers.
- An editor who has worked on memoirs will understand pacing, emotional arc, and how to preserve your voice.
- A formatter who’s familiar with Amazon KDP and IngramSpark will know how to set up files to avoid print issues.
Step 5: Set clear expectations
Once you’ve selected your freelancer, set the stage for a smooth collaboration. Always:
- Create a written agreement or use the platform’s contract system
- Set milestones or deadlines
- Clarify how many revisions are included
- Agree on communication channels and check-ins
Personal tip: I like to create a shared Google Doc or Trello board for larger projects. It keeps everyone on the same page.
Get out there and start hiring freelancers
Hiring freelancers isn’t just about finding someone who can technically do the job. It’s about finding someone you enjoy working with. Someone who understands your goals, respects your voice, and treats your book like the personal, creative project it is.
When you’re publishing a book, you’re not just outsourcing tasks, your building a team. And ideally, the freelancers you bring on become trusted collaborators who support you across multiple projects.
The good news? You don’t have to navigate the process alone.
If you’d like to skip the guesswork of platforms and portfolios, you can work directly with selfpublishing.com. We’ve spent years building a trusted community of pre-vetted freelancers who specialize in book editing, cover design, formatting, ghostwriting, and more. These are professionals we’ve worked with personally – people we trust with our authors’ books (and our own).
So whether you are launching your debut novel or refining your fourth nonfiction title we can help you connect with the right people to bring your book to life.