And never dismiss small and home based businesses – you get to deal with the expert rather than an account manager and usually pay less, too.

Ed raises a very good point – treat freelancers well and they’ll work for you again – including doing last minute projects.

I typically don’t allow freelancers to deal direct with clients nor do I allow their work to be included in their portfolios or resumes without my approval.

With the freelancers that I choose to build a relationship with, I take great pride in recommending them for additional business with my contacts. As a business, freelancers can also save with regard to productivity. With any employee, you must invest in them to get them up to speed, with a free agent (freelancer), they must fit in a predetermined budget and time frame. If they don’t work out, they’re gone – period. Employees are harder to lose.

When I am hired on a consultancy basis, quite often the value proposition coming back at me is the expediency of the solution as opposed to trying to develop internally. It reminds me of an old adage told to me by a co-laborer in a summer construction job while in college – “Look busy, carry a hammer.” Many times employees don’t have your best interest in mind. With free agents you are totally in control. They are keenly aware of the project and deliverables expected – there are no distractions.

On the other side of that coin, you have to be good to your freelancer. Pay them on time, respect their schedules and personal lives. Treat them as you would any professional business owner. Over all remember – it’s more than business, it’s your brand.

I have looked for freelancers both ways. Price and experience. I think that depends on what kind of service you are looking for.