Hiring Freelancers: Key Tips for a Successful Hire

This is part 1 of a 2-part series.

When you finally start working for yourself, you’ll begin to wear many hats. But, there will inevitably come a time when you won’t be able to wear each and every hat. Or, some hats may simply no longer fit.

So it may be necessary to do what some may think is the unthinkable… yes, delegate. Now if you’re afraid to relinquish a little bit of control, you’d probably hate the idea of giving up your tasks to others, especially if you’re unsure of their work product or work ethic. And, you may even find yourself micromanaging, which only stifles creativity and depletes the time and energy you need for your vital tasks, things that no one else can do.

However, if you’re looking to continue your current line of work as a blogger, coach, web designer, social media marketer, customer service agent, graphic designer, etc., chances are you’ll burn out before you’re fully engaged in the business of your true business. The work you want to do is no longer your main focus. Instead, you’re trapped in the nuances… things that must be done, but don’t necessarily make you money. Ugh! I can definitely relate.

So what’s an entrepreneur to do?

The answer won’t surprise you… Hire out!

And what’s the best way to do this?

When hiring freelancers, the following are key tips to make sure you have a successful contract and have work done to your satisfaction.

I – Be clear on what you need. What is it that you’re looking for in a freelancer? Identify ideal deliverables and then write up a job description. And, what are your non-negotiables? Make sure you include them in your job description.

II – Ask around first. Your ideal candidate may be in your own network. Ask your friends first, and don’t be afraid to post your desire to hire someone in your social media profiles. You’d be amazed at who sends you a private message.

If no luck in your own network, consider…

III – Using a hiring platform. Now, I’ve done this for many small jobs that I didn’t know how to do, have the time to do, or simply have the desire to do. And what I’ve found… if you find the right freelancer, you can remove a lot of headache from your life.

There are many platforms out there that showcase the talents of many freelancers. Often one platform will have tens of thousands of freelancers eager to find work in their desired specialty, whether it be graphic design, web development, copyrighting, public relations professionals, customer service and even voiceovers!

Popular platforms that I’ve used in the past are Elance, oDesk, and Fiverr. And, there are many, many others. You can sign up for free with each site and browse the profiles, take a look at their working platform, and payment systems. Some platforms are easier to navigate than others, but it’s all a matter of choice.

IV – Then, post your job and/or invite freelancers to apply. When inviting freelancers to apply for your position, don’t forget to read their reviews. You may get some insight on their work and work ethic before you even connect.

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V – Give 2-3 freelancers a small job. If you’ve found some quality candidates, offer them a small job (and pay them) that relates to your needs and will maybe take an hour or two. See who does the best work in the suggested timeline, and then move forward with them.

VI – Discuss and agree on payment terms in advance. Make sure your payment terms are clear and you discuss and settle on payment prior to offering the job.

VII – Include regular check-ups as an expectation. Since you’re hiring a freelancer, you’ll often need to stay abreast of their progress. If they’re long-term, put steps in place to ensure they’re doing the work at hand and you know the progress at all times. Require a weekly progress report, one that you’ve created and outlined. And, set a date for them to deliver it to you weekly.

Some of the above platforms actually offer tracking in their software and this makes it very easy to track the work done and completed.

So these are my top tips. Do you have any pointers on hiring freelancers to perform vital tasks in your business? I would love to hear them, and feel free to comment below.

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