How much does this cost?

Running a network the size of THE48 takes time. However, we do not charge our freelancers to be part of THE48. Nor do we charge our clients for access to THE48. There is no fee to speak with Hayden for an Intro call. But there is a fee to speak with Hayden for additional calls ($100 for a 30 minute call.) We do not take a cut of our freelancers’ rates. We work hard to negotiate respectful rates and project fees that align with our clients’ budgets. Sometimes that’s an hourly rate, sometimes it’s a project fee, and sometimes it makes sense to do a monthly retainer. Our only fee is a 20% placement fee, which helps us cover the time it takes to find candidates and answer emails and calls from our clients. Talent agencies and recruiting firms often charge 30% as a placement fee. We do not, because we’re not a talent agency nor a recruiting firm. We’re THE48.

How exclusive is THE48? And how do you vet each freelancer?

Honestly, it’s pretty exclusive! We only have room for the best 48 people per skill set. That means 48 Writers, 48 Designers, 48 Creative Directors, 48 Producers, 48 Strategists, and so on. Our Founder, Hayden Gilbert, is diligent about vetting. He takes into consideration the following: Quality of Work, Resume, Client Feedback, LinkedIn profile, and Referrals. Often times, Hayden has worked with the freelancer personally or is referred to the freelancer by someone he trusts.

What if I need more than a team? What if I need more of an agency model?

Our parent company, SHELTR, is built to scale and assemble flexible agency models for our clients. We’ve been doing it since 2018. Our Clients are constantly looking for a better, more flexible model. One that allows for moving parts and can scale with ever-fluctuating budgets. We’ve work with big global brands like Nike, Ford, and Amazon, but we also work with small to mid-sized ad agencies across the country. SHELTR makes it easy to work with an agency team, without all the agency bloat and BS.

Can’t I find a freelancer on LinkedIn?

Sure. You can sort through thousands of “freelancers” on LinkedIn who aren’t the right fit if that’s how you want to spend your time. However, assuming that’s not how you want to spend your time, connecting with THE48 can save you time and quite possibly, your sanity. Our curated and vetted can be filtered according to your specifications. Basically, you tell us exactly who you’re looking for and we come back in 48 hours (or less) with 3-5 freelancers who fit your description. Plus, less time on LinkedIn—which is always a win.

Why do you only have freelancers in the contiguous 48 states?

Because our clients prefer working within the time zones inside the 48 contiguous states. That is, PST, MST, CST, and EST. Trust us, there are plenty of talented freelancers to choose from. Work with us and you’ll see for yourself.