Some companies require freelancers to dispense with the cost of hiring seasonal employees permanently or improve work efficiency. Whatever the reason, freelancers play a significant role in most of these organizations. Due to the large number and categories of freelancers, selecting the best can take time and effort. This is because there are a lot of platforms and freelancers to choose from. So, is there a procedure to use when hiring freelancers? What are some of them? This post will outline and explain effective ways to hire freelancers and how to manage them with internal staff members.
Why Hire Freelancers?
At a certain level or season, your company may require the use of freelancers for several reasons. Freelancers come in handy in the following ways:
Fill in Gaps between New Hires
When some employees quit, filling positions quickly in this competitive labor market can be challenging. Finding a new employee with the same or more experience can be time-consuming, affecting your business productivity. Therefore, experienced freelancers are handy since they are easy to recruit.
Cost Management
Choosing to hire a freelancer ensures that your company saves on some costs. Typically, these individuals will not require employee benefits such as sick pay, allowances, and leaves, among other things. Therefore, some companies find freelancers an excellent way to balance their costs.
Flexibility and Risk Management
Whether you wish to hire a freelance graphic designer or a writer, you must have a payment agreement. Some freelancers typically prefer hourly payment, while others focus on the number of projects completed. This agreement creates the freedom to balance relationships as the company’s needs change. Freelancers can also work for extra time, unlike employees who are fixed on set schedules.
Establishing Good and Enduring Connections
Freelancers must establish a good working relationship with clients to expose them to business referrals. Therefore, these individuals will commit themselves to work to establish the connection, leading to increased productivity in your business.
The Ideal Ways to Find Freelancers
Typically, freelancers have ideal ways of posting their profiles using a variety of platforms. If your business uses something other than freelancing, the first way to find freelancers is to use the individuals you've already collaborated with. However, this depends on whether they did a splendid job or not. Another option is to visit local marketplaces online to meet different professional freelancers. These platforms will work well if your business requires short-term gigs or projects. Another option is to reach out to friends or business colleagues who may have potential referrals. You can reach out to the referred freelancers using common online platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, or WhatsApp. How to hire a freelancer will depend on the methods you wish to use.
Top Tips for Hiring the Best Freelancers
There are various tips that your business can implement to hire creative freelancers. These tips will ensure you find the right freelancers to meet your business needs. Let's dive into the tips:
- Examining the Needs of Your Projects
Before your company hires freelancers, it is crucial to understand the project's requirements. For instance, when hiring a freelance writer, consider analyzing what the article aims to achieve, its design, and other requirements. To achieve this goal, define the project's objectives, the due date, and the time you wish the project to be completed. Additionally, consider checking how complex the project is. Does it require individuals with less or more experience? Will it require a long-term or short-term commitment? Answering these questions will point you to the specific requirements you want in freelancers. Overall, this first step lays the foundation for a successful partnership.
- Identify the Skills and Experience Required
After identifying the project's scope and requirements, identify the specific skills that will fill the position. For example, if your company requires an individual to create a website successfully, you will be required to hire a freelance software developer. Additionally, in content creation, you must select a writer skilled in search engine optimization with a reputable and creative writing portfolio. Besides technical skills, consider selecting individuals with soft skills and techniques like time management, effective communication, and decision-making. Recognizing these skills will enable your business to hire the right freelancer to work efficiently on the project.
- Consider the Cost of Use
Budgeting is crucial when hiring freelancers to work for your company. Consider the amount you wish to spend by checking the current rates for the skill set. Typically, these rates may differ depending on crucial factors like competence, star ratings, experience level, and the kind of service they offer. Refrain from swaying with rates that appear to be affordable; you can use a freelancer hourly rate calculator to figure out the average rate and then compare it to the quality of service you want. Additionally, consider checking the payment schedule you want to use, whether you wish to pay freelancers hourly or when they complete the project. Having a transparent fee system will ensure that there is an agreement and will prevent any misunderstanding between your business and the freelancers. Coming up with a well-thought-out budget saves you on costs and guarantees a profitable return on investment during your company's expansion.
- Use Reliable Freelance Sites
Typically, freelancers use platforms that offer their portfolio to potential clients. Consider using reputable freelance platforms that are legitimate in their services. There are well-known platforms like Pinchforth, Upwork, and LinkedIn where you can source professionals who have worked in various industries. The platforms have a search option to look for individuals with specific professions. To succeed in recruiting the best candidate for the project, ensure you are clear about your expectations and requirements. Additionally, use the filter option to refine the qualifications.
- Analyze Profiles of the Freelancers
After posting your job description on various freelance platforms, a variety of applicants will be interested in the job. It is now time to screen the different applicant profiles when hiring freelancers. To begin the screening process, examine their work history first. Check the companies they have worked with and their past projects. Check out whether the projects you have done align with your project requirements.
Additionally, check their integrity and dependability by reviewing previous clients' comments and reviews. After checking their reviews, verify their certifications and other related credentials. Remember that the right freelancers should have the necessary skills to satisfy clients by quickly finishing various projects.
- Check the Applicant's Relevance to the Project
A freelancer should have the appropriate skills you need for your project. However, more than the skills required, knowledge is also necessary for the particular job. Consider checking the candidate's previous projects and assessing whether they relate to your current project. Have the candidates ever taken on a project or a challenge similar to yours? Additionally, evaluate how enthusiastic the applicant is about the projects. Typically, a freelancer passionate about working on projects will provide you with an outstanding job. Overall, ensure you request direct samples from candidates relevant to your project. This facilitates and smooths the ability to work on the project efficiently since clarity and insights depend on relevance.
- Interview the Shortlisted Applicants
After getting suitable candidates to perform your projects, interview them individually. Doing this will ensure you hire freelancers online with the necessary skills and knowledge. Before you begin the interview process, ensure you have a list of questions assessing your technical and soft skills. Find out what approach they will use to make your project stand out and if they will meet the deadlines given. During the interview, please take note of how these individuals solve their problems and how they convey their ideas. If you find a candidate with common ground with you who can communicate effectively and professionally, you are headed in the right direction.
- Come into an Agreement with the Freelancers
After hiring a freelancer, it is high time you make an agreement. At this stage, it is time to start a collaboration by explaining your expectations to the freelancer. Additionally, explain how you want the work performance, payment terms, and other related things to avoid misunderstandings in the future. If there will be feedback and reviews on the project, ensure you also communicate to them how they should handle it.
It is also advisable to communicate about the working hours, primarily if the freelancer works from a remote place with a separate time zone. Once you and the candidate have agreed, document everything for evidence. Overall, with a solid agreement, your freelancer can begin to work on the project.
Wrapping Up
Technology has enabled freelancers to work remotely with no oversight. However, these individuals will still require guidance to ensure productivity. At the same time, freelancers may face challenges like delayed payments or unpaid invoices. To avoid such scenarios, a business will require a platform to help smooth operations between the company, internal staff, and freelancers. Ruui is a platform that ensures integrity by ensuring that companies pay their freelancers on time and for the right amount. The platforms aim to create an autonomous working environment where professionals can make decisions aligned with their values and interests. Having said that, it's time to embrace freelancing in your business.
