The Do’s and Don’ts of Hiring a Freelancer

The global freelancing market is expected to reach $9.2 billion in 5 years’ time. That will nearly triple its 2021 value!

The gig economy was already growing. But the pandemic’s shift in online working culture has dramatically accelerated it.

With more and more people to choose from though, finding a freelancer becomes a daunting task. Making sure both parties are happy with the deadlines, payment, and deliverables can be a challenge.

To help you in your search, we’ve compiled the top do’s and don’ts for hiring a freelancer. Follow these tips to make sure the process goes smoothly for both of you.

Do Set Clear Requirements

Online communication is easily misunderstood. When contracting someone remotely, it’s crucial both parties make their expectations clear.

When outlining the job description, provide as much detail as possible. Make sure requirements such as deadlines or content needs are explicitly stated.

Most importantly, outline the parameters of the job. Is your contract for a certain number of hours or until a project is completed? And what deliverables do you expect them to achieve in that time?

The clearer your communication, the better the working relationship.

Do Read Reviews

Researching your partner before you begin your working relationship is a no-brainer. Freelancing platforms often have reviews about what it’s like working with each contractor.

If you’re hiring an independent freelancer, it’s more difficult to verify testimonials. Rather than relying on their website, get in touch with a previous client to learn more about them.

Do Agree on Payment Beforehand

Payment structures and methods need to be agreed upon before work begins. Payment structures for freelancing work are usually either:

• Payment per milestone
• Payment split between beginning and end
• Full payment at the end of the project

Your freelancer will usually have a preferred system they suggest from the beginning. Make sure to have this in writing, and hold up your end of the deal.

Also agree on payment methods beforehand. This could be a wire transfer, payment app, or freelancing platform. If you hired your freelancer on a platform, pay through the platform for added protection.

Don’t Just Go on Price

What if you find a freelancer who will complete your work for much less than your expected budget? That isn’t necessarily good news. If a bid for work comes in much lower than the competition, it may suggest a compromise on quality or timescales.

Make Hiring a Freelancer Easy

As we’ve said, hiring a freelancer through a freelancing platform makes payment and deliverables more secure. But where should you start?

Find a platform that vets the freelancer for you! At FreeUp, an internal team thoroughly interviews and works with each new recruit to ensure their quality. Only the top 1% are brought on board.

Hiring a freelancer with us takes the worry out of the equation, and lets you focus completely on your work. Schedule a meeting with one of our team today to see how much your business could benefit.