How to Attract Top Independent Talent: Tips on Becoming a Client of Choice

By MBO Partners • February 12, 2025

5 MIN

Key points

By 2027, nearly half of the U.S. workforce could be made up of independent professionals, according to MBO's research.
To attract top independent talent, focus on understanding their needs and providing a great experience during their time with you.
Learn seven methods to establish your organization as a preferred client and draw high-value independent talent to your team.

By 2027, nearly half of the U.S. workforce could be made up of independent professionals, according to MBO’s research on independent work. This dramatic shift creates a critical challenge for businesses: How can they attract and retain top independent talent?

Success depends on building strong relationships with independent professionals and ensuring they’re ready to do their best work. To make your organization a client of choice for high-value independent talent, you must understand their needs and deliver an exceptional experience during their time with you.

7 Ways to Become a Client of Choice

1. Create a Great Onboarding Process

First impressions are everything. A well-organized onboarding process sets the stage for a successful partnership with independent professionals who want to hit the ground running. Simplifying administrative tasks and providing the right tools and resources from day one shows you value their time and expertise.

Ask yourself:

How can you reduce paperwork and speed up administrative processes?
Are systems and tools ready for use on day one?
Do you clearly communicate project roles and expectations?
How quickly can your independent contractors begin contributing to high-impact work?

2. Establish Trust Through Compliant Practices

Trust plays a crucial role in any partnership with independent professionals. Building that trust starts with following legal requirements, providing fair and transparent agreements, and proper worker classifications. Many companies partner with workforce solutions providers like MBO to manage these legal and administrative details, keeping everything compliant.

Ask yourself:

Are project agreements detailed and easy to understand?
What’s your approach to handling legal and compliance matters with independent contractors?
Do your worker classifications align with current regulations?
How do you ensure vendors meet professional standards?

3. Ensure Fair and Reliable Payment

Payment practices can influence where independent professionals decide to work. Late payments or unclear agreements can harm relationships and make it harder to attract the best independent talent. Paying fairly and on time creates a feeling of loyalty and helps encourage long-term connections.

Ask yourself:

How do your rates align with industry standards?
Are payment terms straightforward and easy to follow?
What systems guarantee on-time payments?
How do your payment practices impact partnerships with independent contractors?

4. Maintain Clear Communication

Effective communication is key to keeping projects on track. Begin by defining project goals and deadlines so everyone knows what to expect. Then, schedule regular check-ins to monitor progress and designate a main point of contact for questions or concerns.

Ask yourself:

How do you effectively communicate project goals and timelines?
What system do you use for regular progress updates?
How do you keep communication channels open and accessible?
Who serves as the main point of contact for support?

5. Develop a Collaborative Environment

Treating independent professionals like partners, instead of vendors, leads to a mutually beneficial relationship. When you include them in project meetings and encourage collaboration, they feel valued and part of the team. A sense of inclusion helps ensure everyone is on the same page and working toward common goals.

Ask yourself:

What tools and resources do you provide to support their success?
How do you include independent professionals in important conversations?
How do you acknowledge their valuable contributions?
What methods help you incorporate their expertise effectively?

6. Support Professional Independence

Independent contractors see flexibility as one of the greatest benefits of their work. Your organization should respect their independence while setting clear expectations. To find the right balance, offer reasonable deadlines and make sure project requirements are easy to understand. Meanwhile, regularly asking for feedback and acting on it shows you value their input and insights.

Ask yourself:

What do you do to ensure your project requirements are easy to understand?
How do you provide schedule flexibility while meeting project needs?
How do you help independent professionals maintain work-life balance?
What methods do you use to measure satisfaction among your independent workforce?

7. Establish a Program to Retain Top Talent

Leading companies invest in building relationships with their best independent contractors, not just hiring for individual projects. Keeping a strong talent pool on hand ensures you can quickly find the right people, leading to improved work quality and outcomes. For example, a Fortune 500 financial services provider used MBO’s direct sourcing solutions to save over $5 million in a five-year period.

Ask yourself:

How do you invest in creating lasting partnerships with independent talent?
How often do you offer repeat opportunities to top-performing independent professionals?
What methods help you maintain connections with top independent talent between projects?
What makes your organization a place where independent professionals want to return?

Looking for a Source of Talent? Start Here

Becoming a preferred client takes effort, but the results are obvious: quicker access to skilled professionals, reduced hiring costs, and better project outcomes. Organizations that position themselves as great places to work naturally stand out in the competitive market for independent talent.

If you’re looking to bring independent contractors onto your team, MBO Partners is your secret to success. With nearly 30 years of experience, we provide direct sourcing solutions tailored to your organization’s specific needs.

MBO Partners can help you develop a pool of skilled independent contractors while ensuring compliance and reducing the risk of misclassification. Our platform simplifies the hiring and recruiting process, enabling you to fill roles more quickly and reduce talent costs by 15–50%. Contact MBO Partners today to start building your workforce for the future.