Best Websites for Freelance Work in Spain

Written by Esther Sanz, regular contributor on the Spotahome Spanish blog

Let´s be honest, in Spain the best way to get a job, even a freelance one just for two hours, is through personal recommendation. Still, the market and its needs are not only changing but also growing. And sometimes businesses do need something to be done very fast with no time to ask for favours or acquaintances. This is the best chance to prove your worth. Don´t miss the opportunity of doing a great job the first time you are asked for a task. It´s the best door to open for a second freelance chance!

Also many PYMEs (small and medium size enterprises), without a big Human Resources department, are starting to trust and rely more on freelance platforms. For some timely projects, they don´t want to go through the hassle of hiring someone and then firing him/her at the end of it, so freelancers are the best likely option.

I know that at the beginning of the freelance life, the most complicated part is networking and where to start searching for opportunities. So here are some of the best website pages available for freelance work in Spain.

1. FIVER

https://www.fiverr.com/ This website specializes in Graphics & Design, Digital Marketing, Writing & Translation, Video & Animation, Music & Audio, Programming & Tech, Business and Fun & Lifestyle. You should create your profile and describe your delivery time, your price and of course, your services.

2. DOMESTIKA

https://www.domestika.org/es/jobs. This is a Spanish website, although most of its offers are written in English. Not only can you offer your services, in Domestika there are real job offers updated every month. It’s mainly a website for creative jobs, from Architecture to writing and many many designer job offers. There are also very interesting online courses.

3. 99 DESIGNS

https://99designs.es/ This platform is mainly for designers. First companies describe in a brief what they need and for when and then the website will help the company to find the best designer for that project. Sometimes they can also start a contest, where all the designers can apply.

4. TWAGO

https://www.twago.es/ Programmers, translators, writers, app developers, designers and marketing online experts are needed for projects in this website. Twago is Europe's largest platform for freelance work and it´s also used in Spain.

5. FREELANCER

www.freelancer.es In this website, also very international, but with a section only for Spain they are looking for Website developers, graphic designers, Internet Marketers and Mobile App developers. They have around 27 million professionals on demand. Although the downside is that it mainly works with contests.

A word of caution: getting paid.

Unfortunately, it is not unheard of for a company to tender for creative work, take in the various submissions, use one or a mix of them and pay no one for it. If you have no previous personal knowledge of the company or you are not going through a platform or personal acquaintance, do not do too much work upfront. And do not surrender graphic files until you are reasonably sure you will get paid for your work.

Most importantly, even if you have a good portfolio of clients to start with, always be on the lookout for prospects and sell yourself and your work. First, start out with a great Web page. It’s your main business presentation card. Prospective clients will always go there first to see what you can do for them (not necessarily what you are most proud of). So don’t just showcase your work. Add a short explanation on how it helped the client’s business: lowering costs or increasing sales are sure winners.

Second: prepare those first meetings with clients (remember, you only get one chance to make a good first impression). Do desk research on them, talk to suppliers or clients, visit their stores to understand them better. If nothing else, the client will be impressed that you have gone out of your way to gather this information. Also, try to understand quickly who makes the decision regarding your work, and always make sure that person actually sees your work.

Third, get out of the house. Go to parties and mingle with everyone there, go to trade conferences, offer to give lectures at educational institutions, and let people know what you do. This opens many doors.

Finally, keep in touch with your client base. Develop a small data base on non-business information such as birthdays or hobbies. And call them to develop a personal relationship. If you are top of mind for them you are more likely to be called upon.