Guide · Businesses

Writing a clear freelance brief: method and template

A well-described job attracts the right profiles, avoids misunderstandings and speeds up the start. Here is a simple method with a template to copy, plus the legal points to check depending on whether you need a freelancer or an employee.

General information, accurate at the date shown: it does not replace legal, social-security or tax advice for your situation. Check the official sources quoted or ask a professional (lawyer, accountant).

1. Start with the expected result

In one or two sentences: what must exist at the end of the assignment? “A three-language company website online”, “the annual closing completed”, “40 covers served on Saturday night”. The result guides the choice of profile better than a list of skills.

2. Give the context

Your business, the existing team, what already exists, the constraints (required tools, sensitive data, on-site access). A few lines are enough: the professional can ask questions afterwards.

3. Define the scope and deliverables

  • what is included and what is not;
  • concrete deliverables (documents, files, code, hours of service);
  • the number of review rounds or approvals.

4. Set the volume and schedule

Start date, end date or estimated duration, pace (for example two days a week), intermediate milestones. For an extra, give the exact date and hours.

5. Location, working mode and languages

On site, hybrid or remote; address or area; working languages with the team and with customers. In the Greater Region many professionals work in several languages: say which ones are essential.

6. The framework: service contract or employment

Ask yourself before publishing. If the person will work under your authority, on your hours and as part of your team, it is in principle employment: in Luxembourg, Guichet.lu states that the vacancy must be declared to ADEM before the offer is published, and a fixed-term contract must be in writing and state its reason. If you are looking for a self-employed professional, check that they hold a business permit where required. Details: Self-employed or employee in Luxembourg.

7. Budget

You can give a range or let the professional quote. On Askfreelance, the price is agreed directly between you: the platform takes no commission.

Template to copy

  • Title: role + purpose (e.g. “Graphic designer for a restaurant’s visual identity”)
  • Expected result: …
  • Context: …
  • Scope / deliverables: …
  • Schedule / volume: …
  • Location / working mode: …
  • Languages: …
  • Intended framework: service contract (self-employed) or employment contract
  • Budget: range or quote

Common mistakes

  • a list of ten technologies without saying what must be delivered;
  • no start date;
  • a full-time “freelancer” under your management, which looks like employment;
  • forgetting languages or the on-site share.

Ready? Post your job: a person reviews it before publication.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to state a budget?

Not on Askfreelance. A range helps professionals respond; otherwise, ask for a quote.

How long does it take to post a job?

A few minutes to write it. Each job is then reviewed by a person before publication.

Can I post a salaried job?

Yes, Askfreelance accepts salaried jobs (for example a hospitality extra on a fixed-term contract). In Luxembourg, remember to declare the vacancy to ADEM before publishing the offer, as Guichet.lu states.

See also

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