Platform 1: LinkedIn ProFinder

While most professionals use LinkedIn to keep up-to-date with their networks and for recruitment purposes, many don’t know the platform also offers an online marketplace for freelancers. ProFinder is a little pricier than other freelancer marketplaces, but promises a more closely vetted pool of talent, which means you need a polished portfolio to be accepted to join. Once in, you receive emails on project leads, which you can then use to put yourself forward for gigs.

Platform 2: Freelancer

With more than 31 billion users and 15 million jobs posted, Freelancer is one of the biggest marketplaces for independent gig workers. It’s also a major time-saver in that once companies have posted descriptions of their projects, they’ll automatically start receiving bids from freelancers with the required skill set. Alternatively, they can browse talent profiles on the site and make a direct offer to the freelancer instead. The platform is also popular because it prevents payment disputes by holding payment in escrow until the work is completed correctly.

Platform 3: Upwork

Upwork is another large marketplace with dozens of categories for freelancers and contractors. It’s also one of the only platforms where you can find specialised and licensed gig workers, including lawyers, architects, and financial consultants. Companies answer a few questions on their project and the type of freelancer they’re looking for and are then matched to suitable workers. Once connected, the work can then be completed entirely through the Upwork site or mobile app, which allows for messaging, file-sharing and demo-viewing.

Platform 4: Fiverr

As the name suggests, on Fiverr freelancers were originally paid $5 for completing tasks. Now, you can earn upwards of $1,000 on projects – though you’ll still find the occasional $5 gig. The site now also charges a 20% fee to buyers and sellers. Among the project categories are website builders, content marketers, SEO specialists, blog writers and logo designers. Buyers and sellers all receive reviews – the more reviews, the more attention your profile will get.

Platform 5: Social media groups

Peer-to-peer groups on Facebook and other social channels are another way for freelancers and companies to connect directly. Find-A-Finders-Fee, for example, is among the most well-known and active groups for freelancers in Australia, although there are also many other, mostly smaller and more niche-oriented, groups.

These are often closed groups and each one comes with its own set of guidelines and rules as to who they accept and what you can post, which are usually pinned to the top of the group’s page. Jobs include one-off projects and contract work but also full-time opportunities. Freelancers are typically invited to email the posters directly via their preferred contact method.

The gig economy is booming. But with so many freelancers now offering services and countless businesses looking for talent, you should know where to connect with them. Freelance platforms like the above can be a great help facilitating those connections.