How to Use Your FreeUp Account Dashboard to Manage Your Freelancers

Hiring freelancers is exciting—you’re bringing in fresh talent, expanding your team, and getting expert help to grow your business. But after the hire, the real work begins. 

How do you make sure freelancers stay on track? How do you manage hours, adjust pay, or pause work when needed? Without a clear system, things can get messy fast.

That’s where FreeUp’s account dashboard comes in. It gives you an easy way to handle everything in one place—setting hour limits, tracking work, adjusting pay, and pausing freelancers when necessary. Instead of scrambling to stay organized, you can focus on what really matters: getting great work done.

This guide walks you through the essential tools and best practices to help you manage freelancers smoothly and efficiently.

Set Freelancer Hour Limits for Better Budget Control

Setting hour limits for your freelancers helps you stay on top of your budget and ensures work is completed within the expected timeframe. By defining clear limits, you can avoid unexpected costs while keeping projects on schedule.

How to Set Hour Limits in the Dashboard:

1. Go to Your Hires > View Your Hires.
2. Click the three dots next to the freelancer’s name.
3. Select Set Hours Limit.
4. Enter the max hours per week and add a comment.
5. Hit Submit Hours Limit.

Heads up: Freelancer work weeks run from Wednesday to Tuesday, so keep that in mind when setting limits.

If you need to adjust the limits, you can update them anytime to reflect workload changes and project needs.

Give Raises and Bonuses with Ease

Top freelancers bring value to your business, and retaining them means recognizing their hard work. FreeUp’s dashboard makes it simple to increase pay rates or issue one-time bonuses to reward performance.

When Should You Give a Raise?

• Your freelancer has been with you for an extended period and consistently delivers quality work.
• Their role has expanded, and they’ve taken on additional responsibilities.
• They’ve developed new skills that bring added value to your business.

When Should You Give a Bonus?

• A freelancer exceeds expectations on a project.
• You want to show appreciation for their loyalty and hard work.
• It’s a special occasion, such as a holiday or a work anniversary.

How to Give a Raise or Bonus in the Dashboard:

1. Go to Your Hires > View Your Hires.
2. Click the three dots next to the freelancer’s name.
3. Select Increase Rate to raise their hourly rate or Send Bonus to issue a one-time payment.
4. Enter the new rate or bonus amount and add a comment if needed.
5. Click Submit to finalize the update.

Recognizing your freelancers with raises and bonuses helps retain top talent and keep them motivated to do great work.

Pause Freelancers When a Project Ends or Work Slows Down

There may be times when you no longer need a freelancer for an active project because the project has ended or work has slowed down temporarily. Instead of ending the engagement completely, FreeUp allows you to pause freelancers, keeping them available for future work if needed.

Why Pause a Freelancer?

• Seasonal projects may only require freelancers at certain times of the year.
• Budget adjustments may require temporary cost-cutting without losing talent.
• Strategic scaling allows you to maintain relationships with trusted freelancers for future work.
• The end of a project may mean you no longer need the freelancer, but pausing keeps the option open for future collaboration.

Why You Should Not Forget to Pause Your Freelancers

Pausing a freelancer when a project ends or slows down helps you manage costs and keep your team organized. If a freelancer isn’t currently working on anything, pausing ensures they won’t mistakenly log hours. It’s a simple step that makes it easy to bring them back when you need them again.

How to Pause a Freelancer in the Account Dashboard:

1. Go to Your Hires > View Your Hires.
2. Click the three dots next to the freelancer’s name.
3. Select Pause
4. Provide a reason for pausing and leave a comment if needed.
5. Click Submit to confirm.

When you’re ready to resume work, you can find them under your paused tab and simply reactivate them with one click. This feature gives you flexibility while maintaining access to freelancers you trust.

Monitor Freelancer Hours and Activity for Transparency

Keeping track of how many hours your freelancers are logging is essential for budgeting and project management. FreeUp’s account dashboard provides real-time insights into freelancer hours, so you always know what’s happening.

How to Monitor Hours in the Dashboard:

1. Go to Your Hires > View Weekly Billing Chart.
2. Select the pay period and choose a specific freelancer or view all freelancers.
3. Click on a specific date to see notes the freelancer entered when they clocked out.

FreeUp also offers a 7-day dispute period, allowing you to review and dispute any logged hours if necessary. Keeping an eye on hours ensures accuracy and helps you stay on budget.

Earn Money Through the FreeUp Referral Program

FreeUp makes it easy to earn extra cash just by referring other businesses. When someone signs up using your referral link and hires through FreeUp, you’ll earn money for every hour they’re billed.

How It Works:

1. Share Your Referral Link: Log in to your FreeUp account and go to the Billing and Affiliate Link section to find your unique referral URL. Share it with businesses, colleagues, or friends who might need freelancers.
2. Your Referrals Sign Up and Hire: Once they sign up using your link and start hiring, they’re officially your referral.
3. Earn for Every Hour They Work: You’ll get $0.50 for every hour your referred client is billed, and this continues for the first 18 months of their account.

Benefits of Participating in the Referral Program:

• Monetary Rewards: The more clients you refer, the more you earn. Over time, these earnings can significantly offset your own hiring costs or serve as additional income.
• Extended Earning Period: Unlike previous terms, the referral program now offers earnings for up to 18 months, giving you a longer timeframe to benefit from your referrals’ activities.
• Support Your Network: By referring FreeUp, you’re providing valuable resources to businesses in your network, helping them find reliable freelancers to grow their operations.

Simplify Freelancer Management with FreeUp’s Managed Services

Managing freelancers can be time-consuming, especially when you’re juggling multiple projects. FreeUp’s Managed Services take the hassle out of freelancer management so you can focus on growing your business.

What Are Managed Services?

FreeUp builds a dedicated team tailored to your needs, handling everything from hiring to day-to-day oversight. Whether you need virtual assistants, graphic designers, or project managers, FreeUp has you covered.

Key Features:

• Dedicated Project Manager: Your go-to person who ensures everything runs smoothly and deadlines are met.
• Skilled Freelancers: Access top talent in areas like bookkeeping, email management, product listing creation, and research.
• Flexible Plans: Choose a plan that fits your workload and budget, with options ranging from 20 to 80+ hours per week.

Make the Most of Your FreeUp Account Dashboard

Managing freelancers is easier when you have the right tools. With your FreeUp account dashboard, you can stay on top of budgets, track work, and maintain strong relationships with your freelancers. Whether you’re setting hour limits, giving raises, pausing freelancers, or using managed services, FreeUp helps you simplify the process.

Are you ready to find a freelancer for your team? Book a call with an account manager today to learn more.