Every startup comes to a point where they need to consider whether or not to make a freelance hire. If you’ve found yourself in this position, you may not know where to start. How do you find talented freelancers? What’s the key to developing those relationships for future projects? And what can turn a freelancer off from working with you again?
The freelance world continues to experience rapid growth. According to Forbes, it grew to 22% in 2019, even before we had a pandemic on our hands. So, needless to say, there is no lack of freelancers out there. But finding the right one with the right skills can be difficult.
Another big challenge is setting your freelancers up for success. So, here’s what you need to know if you’re ready to make a freelance hire.
Develop A Flawless Hiring Process
The worst thing you can do is treat your freelancers like they’re not an asset to your team. Don’t forgo the hiring process when it comes time to hire them. While there are plenty of online websites to help you find talent, take the time to interview them, and review their work on your own.
It’s essential that you have a part in the hiring process. If the first time you see your freelancer is during their first day of work, you’re already several steps behind.
Show Them The Ropes
Sure, they’re not technically your employees, but they need to know what and who they’re working with for them to do their best possible job. Take the time to walk them through your process. Let them know what your expectations are as a team and a company.
While there are pieces of the onboarding process you save for your employees; you still want to make sure you give your freelancers a cohesive and comprehensive experience. After all, they’re contributing to your work, and you want to make sure they know what they’re doing.
Don’t Alienate Them
It’s easy for freelancers to be part of a company but feel like a complete outsider. If you’re not inviting them to company events or including them in company-wide communications, it can serve to alienate.
Alienation prevents them from getting to know and trusting your staff. And what happens when the trust isn’t there as you work on a project? Roadblocks.
If You Find Someone Great, Treat Them Well
Freelancers don’t get benefits, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help them out in other ways. Being flexible when it comes to payment options, deadlines, or bonuses for a job well done can keep a great freelancer coming back.
That means you don’t have to go through the whole search again when the time comes to start a new project. Talk to your freelancers and get to know what matters to them. That makes it easier to find incentives that will keep them around.
The workforce is changing rapidly, and hiring freelancers is a key aspect of running a small or growing business. Knowing how to navigate those relationships can make or break your major projects. The next time you decide to get and keep a freelance hire, have these tips in mind.
