Set expectations and structure
Agree:
- Deliverables
- Timeline
- Rate
- Acceptance criteria
- Work setup
- Several projects for a larger job, if you choose to split the work
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For SMEs
A freelance platform for SMEs in Europe
Need specialist expertise or additional capacity without changing your core team? This freelance platform for SMEs Europe connects employers with independent talents across Europe and beyond where Stripe operates.
Choose the talent, agree the scope, timeline, deliverables and rate directly, then manage the collaboration yourself.
Fit
When independent experts can support an SME
It fits when
- Your team needs additional capacity for a defined job or busy period
- You require specialist expertise that is not available internally
- You need independent support for short-term, longer-term or ongoing work
- You want to work directly with the person delivering the work
- You want to choose the talent, agree the terms and approve the completed work
Prepare the starting point
Before posting your job, consider:
- What you need to achieve
- Which expertise is required
- Your expected outcome
- Your timeline
- Whether the work setup is on site, remote or hybrid
You can refine the scope with the talent after starting a conversation.
Categories
Specialist freelancers for small businesses
Three areas of expertise. Choose the one closest to your business need.
Technology & engineering
Bring in technical expertise for digital systems, data and infrastructure.
- Full-stack development
- Data engineering
- Data & analytics
- Cloud & data platforms
- DevOps & cloud infrastructure
- Cybersecurity
- AI automation & integration
- CRM integration
- Legal tech automation
Digital & growth
Add specialist support for digital experiences, search visibility and business growth.
- UX research & UX/UI design
- SEO & technical SEO
- Webflow & Framer development
- Video editing & motion design
- Performance marketing
- Lead generation
- Technical writing
Operations & support
Reinforce recurring business operations with independent support.
- Executive & administrative assistance
- Business operations
- Customer support
- HR & recruitment support
- Finance & bookkeeping
- Procurement & supply chain
- Logistics & transport coordination
- Compliance & documentation
- Translation & localisation
The job
How to write a clear SME job
A clear job helps independent experts understand what your business needs and whether their experience fits.
01
Explain what you need to achieve
Start with the business outcome and the expertise you need.
02
Describe the expected outcome
Outline the main deliverables, requirements and acceptance criteria.
03
Define the timeline and setup
Include important dates or deadlines.
State whether the work setup is:
- On site
- Remote
- Hybrid
Selection
How SMEs choose the right talent
Explore the applicants
Review the experience, expertise, availability and portfolios of the talents who apply to your job.
Look at relevant experience
Consider how previous work relates to your requirements, business environment and expected outcome. Further checks are the employer’s duty.
Start a conversation
Chat directly with the talents who interest you. Discuss the scope, timeline, deliverables, rate and work setup.
You choose and contract directly
Your business chooses the talent. You agree the job directly, manage the collaboration and approve the completed work.
Pre-funding
How it worksPre-funding and payment for SME jobs
The employer pays upfront through Stripe, using a valid payment method.
Funds are held within the Stripe payment flow until release.
For larger jobs, the employer can decide to split the work into several projects and pre-fund each project.
When the agreed work is complete, the employer confirms completion and releases payment.
Responsibilities
View pricingFees and responsibilities
Employers pay the applicable platform charges when publishing and proceeding with a job. Current charges are listed on Pricing.
Employer
- Choose the talent
- Agree the scope, timeline, deliverables and rate
- Manage the collaboration
- Confirm when the agreed work is complete
- Release payment
Talent
- Deliver the agreed work
- Communicate directly with the employer
- Invoice the employer in their own name
VirtualMasst
- Connect employers with talents
- Review and approve talent profiles
- Facilitate pre-funding and payment through Stripe
Profile and payment checks
The VirtualMasst team reviews talent profiles. Stripe carries out identity, banking and compliance checks, including Know Your Customer (KYC). The employer remains responsible for any further checks needed before hiring.
Shortlisting
Build a strong shortlist
1
Compare relevant experience
Compare each talent’s experience, approach, availability and rate against the same job.
2
Chat with the talents
Start direct conversations with the people whose experience appears relevant to your business need.
3
Choose the talent
Select the talent whose experience, availability and approach fit the job.
The right approach
How SME collaboration unfolds
Independent talents can work alongside your existing team or independently, depending on the job.
Manage ongoing work
For longer-term needs, the talent can support agreed parts of the job and collaborate with your internal team.
Work with the talent
The work setup can be on site, remote or hybrid. The employer manages the collaboration directly.
Complete the job and release payment
Review the completed deliverables against the agreed criteria. Confirm completion and release payment. Funds are held within the Stripe payment flow until release.
Your next step
Post your SME job
Describe your objectives, expected outcome, requirements, timeline and work setup. Talents whose experience fits the job can apply.
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