Hiring skilled freelancers is a great way to scale your small business. You get the benefits of an experienced professional without the responsibilities and costs of hiring internally.
Effectively working with freelancers requires isn’t always straightforward and there are some things that you need to take into account before starting.
Get the Right Paperwork in Place
If you’re hiring freelancers to deliver a service on your behalf so that you are legally protected. For example, if they visit your home or a client’s premises and hurt themselves, they may engage a workplace injury attorney to take legal action.
Also, use specially drafted contracts in to outline the agreement between you so that you both have legal protection and recourse in case of a disagreement.
Set A Clear Brief
In order to get the best work from a freelancer, you need to give them as much information as possible so that they can price a job correctly. Scope creep or unclear briefs can lead to issues later on. A good freelancer should always ask for the information they need and let you know if there are any problems.
Communicate Expectations
Being clear about what you want from the outset is the best way to establish a good relationship with a freelancer. You should discuss how you’d like to communicate, how frequently, and any deadlines that need to be met.
Avoid Micromanaging
This style of management isn’t good in any circumstances. You can’t expect to monitor a freelancer in the same way you might an internal employee. They are used to a certain amount of freedom in their role. As long as they are communicating with you and hitting deadlines, then you don’t need to watch over them every minute. If you do, they will likely quit.
Understand Their Other Commitments
Freelancers often have multiple clients and projects on the go at the same time. While you are important to them, you cannot expect them to drop everything for you at a moment’s notice.
Give Timely Feedback
Being able to give feedback, whether positive or negative, is important. A job well done should always be acknowledged. It’s also just as important that you give any advice on improving or altering the work after if it needs it. If you’re unhappy with something but don’t communicate this, it can lead to a breakdown in the relationship over time.
Pay Them What They Are Worth
Getting good value is sound business, but there’s a disturbing trend of people continually underpaying freelancers. Think about what you’re getting. The time, experience, and skills of a professional. You have non of the responsibilities of taking on a permanent employee.
Remember, every self-employed person has to deal with their own taxes, insurance, and business costs. They also need to cover vacation time and any sickness. So, while the hourly rate may seem higher than a paid employee, it actually works out as great value for money.
If you continue to push them on price, it’s likely that they will say no or leave at the first opportunity. You’ll also get a bad reputation among other freelancers and may find it difficult to find the right talent for your business.
Pay them on time too.
Build The Relationship
A positive relationship with a freelancer can benefit you in so many ways. Not only will it improve the working process but you can also build a good referral network, where you each pass on prospects and queries to each other.
It can also benefit your working relationship if you take steps to include them in other aspects of the business. This could be something as simple as inviting them out to the next team meal or including them in the weekly team email round-up or Slack channel. Having that connection
Key Points
Like all the best business relationships, working successfully with freelancers takes effort. Many common problems stem from a lack of communication or failing to appreciate how freelancers work. Honest, timely communication and an appreciation of the value of their services are key. If you try and underpay them and treat them poorly, then it will be almost impossible to get good work.