at some point, every solopreneur hits a ceiling. there are only so many hours in a day, and some tasks are better handled by someone with specialized skills. hiring freelancers and virtual assistants lets you scale your output without the overhead of full-time employees.
but hiring online comes with its own challenges. where do you find good people? how do you know if they are any good? how do you manage someone you have never met in person? this section answers all of those questions.
what you will learn here
- where to hire for different roles and budgets
- how much to pay with real pricing data by role and experience level
- how to vet candidates with screening processes and test projects
- how to manage remote hires with communication tools and expectations
roles I cover
- virtual assistants (general and specialized)
- developers and AI engineers
- content writers and copywriters
- graphic designers
- social media managers
- SEO specialists
- bookkeepers and accountants
looking to hire but not sure where to start? tell us what you need and we can point you in the right direction.
latest hiring guides
all articles: hiring
every post I have written on hiring, organized for easy browsing. 45 articles and counting.
- Freelancer Onboarding Checklist for Solopreneurs
- How to Create SOPs for Virtual Assistants
- Best AI Proposal Generators for Freelancers and Consultants
- best AI hiring and screening tools in 2026
- best AI screening and interview tools for hiring in 2026
- best platforms for hiring remote workers in 2026 (complete guide)
- best platforms to find freelance designers in 2026
- best tools for managing remote freelancers in 2026
- contra vs upwork 2026: best platform for hiring creatives
- fiverr pro vs regular fiverr: is the premium worth it for solopreneurs
- freelancer vs agency: which should solopreneurs hire in 2026
- how much does a virtual assistant cost in 2026? (real pricing data)
- how much does it cost to hire a developer in 2026 (real pricing data)
- how to build a reliable freelancer team as a solo founder
- how to fire a freelancer without burning bridges
- how to hire a bookkeeper online as a solopreneur (2026 guide)
- how to hire a content writer online (and not waste your budget)
- how to hire a copywriter online (and tell good from bad) in 2026
- how to hire a data analyst as a solopreneur in 2026
- how to hire a graphic designer online (solopreneur guide 2026)
- how to hire a part time CTO as a non-technical founder
- how to hire a podcast editor online in 2026 (and what to pay)
- how to hire a seo specialist online (and spot the fakes)
- how to hire a social media manager online (solopreneur guide 2026)
- how to hire a video editor online as a solopreneur (2026 guide)
- how to hire a virtual assistant from the Philippines (2026 guide)
- how to hire a web developer online as a solopreneur (2026 guide)
- how to hire an accountant online for your small business
- how to hire an AI prompt engineer in 2026
- how to hire an executive assistant online as a solopreneur
- how to manage freelancers across different time zones
- how to manage multiple freelancers as a solopreneur (without losing your mind)
- how to onboard a new freelancer in 24 hours (my exact system)
- how to outsource your marketing as a solo founder (without wasting money)
- how to set freelancer pay rates so you attract good talent
- how to set up a successful trial task for freelancers (with examples)
- how to use AI to write better job descriptions (with 5 templates)
- how to write a freelancer contract in 2026 (with free template)
- how to write a job post that attracts good freelancers (with templates)
- offshore vs nearshore hiring for solopreneurs: which is smarter
- Upwork vs Fiverr vs Toptal: best freelancer platform for solopreneurs in 2026
- upwork vs onlinejobs ph: which is better for hiring virtual assistants in 2026?
- when should a solopreneur hire their first employee
- where to hire a virtual assistant in 2026 (and how to pick the right one)
- where to hire an AI developer in 2026 (and what to expect)
frequently asked questions
how often do you update these hiring articles?
I revisit each article at least once a quarter. tools change pricing, add features, and sometimes disappear, so the advice needs to stay current. if you spot anything out of date, email me.
are these articles sponsored?
no. I may earn affiliate commissions when you buy through my links, but no company pays for coverage or reviews. I include tools that I have actually used or tested in my own business.
what do you recommend for someone just starting?
start with the “best” and “for beginners” articles in this section. they are written specifically for solopreneurs who do not have an enterprise budget or an IT team.