Trouble finding good talent? Welcome to the club. In today's digital marketplace, sourcing the right freelancer can feel like hunting for a needle in a haystack. Yes, the gig economy has given brands unprecedented flexibility and access to talent across the globe, but finding someone who can truly deliver what they promise? That’s an art in itself.

Jai Dolwani, CEO of The Starters, knows this pain all too well. As the former CMO of Winc, the internet's beloved wine club, Jai witnessed firsthand how misaligned expectations and skill gaps can slow down even the most well-intentioned projects. Today, he’s on a mission to reshape the freelance space with The Starters, a curated marketplace for eCommerce talent that’s been vetted and battle-tested. So, pour yourself a glass, kick back, and let’s explore new ways to tackle an age-old challenge in the world of eCommerce. 🍷

🚀 The Struggle is Real: Good Talent is Hard to Find

It’s not that good talent doesn’t exist. The problem is the barriers that separate businesses from finding that perfect fit. The sheer volume of freelancers and remote professionals makes it tough to discern genuine skills from hyped-up profiles. And in ecommerce, where timelines are tight, and precision is critical, missteps can cost big.

But here’s the catch: not only is finding the right talent challenging, but so is keeping the relationship clear and transparent. A lot of freelancers operate under agencies or platforms that significantly mark up their rates without their knowledge. So, brands end up paying top dollar, but the talent often sees only a fraction of that, leading to misunderstandings and misaligned expectations. When talent isn’t aware of what the client is actually investing, the stakes and accountability on both sides can suffer.

🎨 Creative is the New Targeting

In a world where algorithms and ad platforms constantly evolve, advertisers can no longer rely solely on targeting tricks to grab attention. Creative has taken center stage as the key differentiator. Great visuals and storytelling capture attention and drive conversions like never before.

This new focus on creativity isn’t just about fancy visuals – it’s about understanding your audience’s emotions and speaking their language in a way that resonates. For freelancers, that means sharpening their creative skills and staying in tune with the brand voice. And for brands, it’s about investing in talent that understands this shift.

❓ Asking the Right Questions: A Game Changer

An often overlooked aspect of finding good talent is the art of asking the right questions. When hiring freelancers, it’s easy to get lost in credentials or portfolios, but neither will tell you whether they truly understand your needs. Jai Dolwani emphasizes the importance of knowing your potential hires’ approach to problem-solving. He believes in uncovering whether they can identify with and solve the pain points unique to your brand.

In essence, the sales process isn’t just about selling; it’s about discovering if the relationship will genuinely add value. By asking questions that dig deeper, brands can get closer to the core of what they need and avoid future friction.

🛍️ Building Brand Familiarity: From DTC to Brick-and-Mortar

The ultimate goal of a strong ecommerce and DTC presence isn’t only to drive online sales; it’s also about making a lasting impression on potential customers. Shoppers who see your brand online may not convert immediately, but familiarity makes them more likely to reach for your product when they encounter it in-store.

This kind of brand consistency is invaluable in omnichannel retail. Freelancers and agencies who understand this can play a pivotal role in connecting the dots between your online presence and your in-store experiences.

🌐 The Omnichannel Complexity: Creativity in Problem Solving

Omnichannel selling is where the customer journey truly gets complex. A customer might first engage with a brand on social media, browse products on the website, and then complete the purchase in-store. This pathway introduces additional layers, where each touchpoint needs to be seamless.

For brands, this complexity means that the talent they work with must be solution-oriented and adaptable. Freelancers need to be just as comfortable strategizing an Instagram campaign as they are optimizing product descriptions or running A/B tests on ad creatives. This all-in-one adaptability is rare but essential in today’s landscape.

🖥️ A Solution to the Talent Challenge: Enter The Starters

So, where does The Starters fit into all of this? By curating a selection of ecommerce talent that has already been vetted for their expertise and reliability, Jai’s platform is aiming to take the guesswork out of the freelance hiring process. The Starters ensures transparency around fees, meaning that freelancers know what the client is paying, and brands know they’re investing in genuine expertise.

The beauty of such a marketplace is that it saves time and builds trust on both sides. Clients no longer have to sift through dozens of applications or gamble on an untested hire, while freelancers benefit from working with clients who value their expertise and understand their worth.

🎉 In Conclusion: Finding the Right Talent is Possible

At the end of the day, finding the right freelance talent isn’t impossible, but it does require a bit of finesse. With platforms like The Starters, brands have a powerful tool for narrowing down their options to the very best.

Curated talent, clear expectations, and a commitment to creativity are changing the game for ecommerce brands everywhere. So, if you’re tired of the endless search, maybe it’s time to try a new approach – one that respects both the brand’s needs and the freelancer’s expertise.

Ready to find talent that can transform your brand? Follow our page and watch the full conversation here, where we dive deeper into the world of freelance and ecommerce.