Hiring freelancers is a great way to save time, money and add talented specialists to your team. However, there are certain things you need to be aware of when hiring freelance workers. There are many opportunities for projects to go off course. Getting consistent, quality results from freelancers starts with an effective task description. Freelancing can add a powerful dimension to your business when well executed. However, poorly crafted task requests are guaranteed to get your project off to a rocky start. Below are some best practices from power freelancers to ensure the freelancers they hire produce work that meets their expectations:
Tip #1 Hire the Right Freelancer for the Job:
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Use a freelance platform:
There are many trusted platforms like Odesk, Elance MyCrowd and Freelancer to search for and hire experienced freelance workers at virtually every skill level and price. The benefits of using a platform are many including increased transparency, ratings and reviews, work history and access to their portfolio. Other less obvious advantages are streamed lined payments, 1099 compliance and security of your IP rights. Emerging platforms MyCrowd have added advantages by connecting users to freelancers directly from existing business tools and programs like Optimizely and Microsoft PowerPoint. MyCrowd also allows innovates the posting of tasks by allowing either publicly posting to the entire platform or privately to groups of freelancers you create. By using a platform you improve your chances of connecting with the best freelancer for your job as well as protect yourself from paying for poor or unfinished work.
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Do the freelancers skills fit the task:
You want to be sure that the person you choose excels at the type of work you
require. Most freelancers have specialties, so choose one that is familiar with the type of final product you would like. Do not be afraid to ask for multiple samples, a portfolio of work or even hire them for a small sample project to confirm their work is up to par.- Include a question in your job posting. If the freelancer does not answer the question in their reply or cover letter, turn them down. Include the reason you turned them down in your reply, this way they know why they did not get the job.
- Check out their rates – $2.50 an hour is still $2.50 an hour. If you want to hire quality, you must expect to pay for quality. Look for the freelancers that are confident about their work and value themselves. They will deliver a good finished product.
- Test them. Present applicants with a series of questions that gauge the accuracy and details regarding their quality of work. If your test questions are good, it will guarantee that you are hiring freelance rockstars and not duds.
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Still Having Trouble Finding the Right Freelancer?
Use a freelance Concierge Service, which will find appropriate workers for you. Platforms like MyCrowd offer concierge services, which pairs you with proven freelancers at the skill level and cost you require for your project. This is very valuable for larger projects that require the best talent.
KEY ADVICE – Do not be cheap or lazy with the hiring process. You may need to review many applications, however, if you put in the effort you will find stellar candidates you can build your business with.
Tip #2 Write Clear Task Descriptions
- Know what you want: First and foremost, make certain that YOU understand specifically what it is you need. Do you have a clear idea of exactly what you want the end product to look like? Are you able to describe the task you need in 1 clear sentence?
- Repeat, Repeat, Repeat: Do not be afraid to repeat yourself for clarity. This is imperative, as you will need to communicate to your freelancer what exactly is it you require.
- Use Visual Aids as Examples: A picture IS worth a thousand words. Are there certain spreadsheets, websites, logos, samples of copy or graphics you like? Describe what it is about them that you like. This can really help in communicating your expectations.
- Don’t Just Show What You Like: Are there things you do not like and know will not work? Give the freelancer supporting documents that illustrate what you do not like and why.
- Be Specific About What You are Getting: Describe specifically what the deliverable ought to be including file formats and/or if you need it to be done using a specific program or software. The more specific you are about what you expect, the better your results will be.
Tip # 3 Define Your Timeline
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- When is it due? You will need to be clear not only about what you want, but also when you require it to be completed by.
- Be clear, are there other important milestones? Giving specific dates and times will assure everyone is on the same page about your expectations.
- Track important dates: Creating documents such as an editorial calendar or timeline may assist with keeping projects on track. You can also opt to use a project management tool to manage remote freelancers.
Tip # 4 Communicating is crucial to avoid problems
- Keep the lines open: Make certain you have an open channel of communication with your freelancer or team. Let them know early and encourage communication.
- Set daily or weekly recurring check-ins: Keep in contact on a regular basis to discuss the project and give & receive feedback on how it is moving along.
- Be aware of what level of communication your task requires. For some jobs, daily communication is necessary, while for others, weekly calls and emails may suffice.
- Encourage questions: Make certain that your freelancers feel comfortable asking questions. Asking questions is a positive!
By using the tips above, you should have the tools and knowledge necessary to successfully select and hire the best freelancer for your project. Once you have an established relationship with a quality freelancer you can grow your business more effectively and tackle larger projects. Good luck using these tips and successful projects.
