Freelancers can be essential resources when you need to fill a skill gap, complete a project quickly, or expand your team’s coverage. As independent contractors, freelancers will have their methods of working with your team and requirements for getting their jobs done.
Freelancers provide a range of commercial and project benefits that can be leveraged by teams to get more done. Unlike full-time employees, freelancers typically just require payment of an hourly rate or a set fee, reducing your payroll outlay. They often work from home which allows you to tap into a larger pool of qualified individuals from further distances, saving you money on overhead expenses like renting an office and maintaining an Internet connection.
However, finding competent freelancers for your next project is not the difficult part. Particularly if you have five, six, or more freelancers on staff at once, scaling up the process of managing and supervising excellent freelancers may be a real headache. Below, we will provide you with essential tips on how to successfully manage your freelancer team and ease their workflow.
Get A Freelance Management System To Organize Your Team Better
Have you ever hired freelancers but worried about how to juggle all the necessary tasks, like recruiting, paying, and paperwork, while still meeting your duties and running a profitable business? There is a solution to your problems and it’s called a freelance management system. Now, you might be asking yourself: what is freelance management system exactly?
An FMS is a program that manages all administrative components associated with employing and managing freelancers or independent contractors, including processing invoices, generating tax forms, and creating expense reports among other things. In addition, a tool of this kind enables you to store all freelancer information regarding in a centralized database.
Facilitate Communication
Pick the method of contact that works best for you, and direct the freelancer there. If you prefer email as a means of communication, for instance, it’s a good idea to exchange email addresses and a sample message even before the project officially begins so that any problems with delivery can be addressed right away.
If you want to make sure you don’t miss any messages from your freelancers and reduce the number of places you have to check for updates, it’s best to have everyone interact with you using the same channels. Less crucial than your communication skills is the technology you use to manage your freelancers. Managers should always aim for success by setting up necessary communications, such as a weekly check-in, at the outset of a project.
Lay Out The Specifics Of The Project
Make sure they understand everything they need to know about the project, from what is expected of them to when meetings will be held and to whom they should report. In this manner, you will lay the groundwork for effective leadership. The freelancer’s time, energy, and resources will be better used, and the project’s goals will be more easily attained if the freelancer has a complete understanding of the project’s requirements.
In addition to saving money and improving communication between you and your freelancer, laying down detailed specifications for the project also increases the likelihood that it will be completed successfully on the first try.
Establish Fair Due Dates
It takes time to do quality work, especially original work. Don’t be an oppressive boss by setting unreasonable deadlines that require extra time and effort. Even if they were, freelancers typically have several projects happening at once and may not be available to take on more work at the last minute. It also means that you must meet your own deadlines; if people are counting on something from you and you fail to provide it by the due date, they will not do the same for you.
Always Give Your Freelancers The Respect They Deserve
Even though they are independent contractors, your freelancers are a member of your team, and you should treat them as such. Give them regular feedback, truly listen to their queries or worries, and, whenever feasible, speak up for them. Continually consider them as people and not just as performance metrics. If you haven’t worked as a freelancer yourself, it can be challenging to appreciate this, but having a positive working connection and understanding with your clients will help your company become more productive. This is especially true when it comes to creative work.
Final Thoughts
Teams can use the benefits of hiring freelancers for projects and businesses to accomplish more. You should stick to a few straightforward measures to handle them successfully and facilitate their workflow. To better organize your staff, invest in a freelance management system. Make sure they are aware of the project’s specifics and what is required of them. Give your freelancers the respect they deserve by treating them as persons rather than just performance metrics.
