How to Hire a Professional Freelancer | 5 Things You Should Know

So today I've got some advice for those of you who are looking to hire a freelancer, whether you're trying to hire a freelance graphic designer, a freelance video editor, a freelance whatever you happen to wish today. We're gonna cover five things that you simply got to know when hiring a freelancer, and that I think this is often gonna be helpful for the far majority of you, especially if you're dabbling in something or you're running a little business. I'm also gonna give just a little bit of advice for freelancers out there who should have an understanding of what a client might need and will be trying to find. I'm gonna be covering a few important things during this article. I'm gonna cover the way to find a freelancer within the first place, the way to choose one, the way to work with them, what proportion to pay them, and also the way to confirm that you're getting what you purchased. So you'll definitely wanna stay tuned and take a couple of notes during the article.

How to find a Freelancer?

One of the things a lot of individuals tell me that they struggle with is that they can not find a freelancer in the first place, and there are a few of various ways you'll set about it. one among the ways in which I strongly recommend is that you simply get a referral from a trusted friend, business partner, or somebody that's already in your network. If somebody in your network has already used a freelancer for his or her services, then it's probably gonna be one among the simplest relationships you'll have. So that's probably where you would like to start out. Ask a friend, a loved one, or somebody that you simply search to or that you know who's hired for this type of thing before. If you do not have anyone in your network, otherwise you do not have anyone that you simply trust that you can invite a referral, then maybe just maybe you go and you check out a freelancing website. I'm getting to recommend two here. There are some people that are freelancers who aren't gonna like these recommendations, but the thing is there must be a solution for everybody.

I even have had great experiences with Upwork, and I am getting to does one know a piece of writing that really maybe a review of my experience thereon, and I am also preparing to run a couple of experiences in 99designs in order that I can show you guys what my experience of that has been. Now tons of my friends who are authors, public speakers, and have hired out for other things have used both of those services. I've used Upwork. I've also hired freelancers directly in my network. So those are things that I'm very comfortable talking about. So I might recommend that. Ideally, I might prefer that you simply have a private one-on-one relationship with somebody that you want to hire, but that's not always gonna be a practical answer or a solution that gets things done quickly enough for you. So there must be an answer for everybody. The one thing I'm gonna caution you on is don't be tempted to travel to Fiver. don't roll in the hay. I understand that there are folks that have had great experiences with it. If you would like to play Russian roulette, I'm not gonna be held liable for what happens to you. you've got been warned. 

How to choose a Freelancer?

With those options in mind, how does one choose a freelancer to figure within the first place? Well, there are a few things that I personally search for when I'm hiring anyone. I obviously check out their portfolio and their body of labor for whatever it's that I'm hiring for. But I also attempt to get away of their personality. If I'm ready to call them and interview them via Skype or via phone or meet them face to face, then it's easier to urge a way of their personality. If not, I even have to believe that through their work, possibly by looking them up in social media, and that I need to decide if they seem to be a comfortable fit me. tons of you think that that the work is that they work and that I understand that, but to be honest, relationships matter tons. And having the ability to be aligned, having the ability to speak well with somebody, is gonna be the make or break point between whether you get the foremost out of them for your money or not. So personality is a minimum of as far as I'm concerned an enormous priority, in some cases quite their portfolio and body of labor. Again, they're gonna be professionals out there who afflict me on this. There are getting to be business owners who afflict me on this. this is often just what my experience has taught me.

Whenever I've hired by prioritizing personality, I've never regretted it. When I have been very impressed with someone's work, then they have been a pain within the butt to figure with, it's because I overemphasized the standard of their work versus their personality and the way they convey and the way they behave. Finally, I also check out the presentation. I check out the way that somebody represents themselves before deciding to place my brand in their hands. So I take a tough check out that. Again, this one may be a take it or leave it, you've got to make a decision what you're most comfortable with. Now reference to another practical consideration in hiring, you furthermore may can and will check out their depth of experience, whether that is the volume of their body of labor or their years of experience or specific skills that you simply would like that they need or whether or not they've served a key target market. Too often people check out impressive work and do not check out whether or not the work that somebody has done aligns with their industry or what they might need or the design that they like to possess things wiped out, which could make a difference. Also, I search for people that have compatible workflows with mine. The thing is that I ultimately do tons of in-house work myself for my business.

I also work with people everywhere the country, if not everywhere the planet, and that we need to get on an equivalent page. And in my case what meaning is we're using Adobe software across the board. So if you've got software compatibility issues, if there is a reason where you guys are using all Mac software for instance. For instance that your workflow is some things that are very Mac specific. for instance, you're using ScreenFlow, or you're using movie Pro. If you hire a video editor, they have to get on movie Pro or ScreenFlow or whatever you're using. tons of individuals who are creatives will argue that no no no, it's about the results, it doesn't matter what tools you employ. From a business standpoint, we all know better. we all know that workflows matter, systems matter, systems scale businesses, and that is the difference between someone who could be a business owner or have workplace versus somebody who's just a freelancer. A freelancer may be a gunman. they will work with whatever they like and whatever's best for them. the matter is that if we've to hire them, they need to evolve to our constraints much within the same way that if we hired an employee, and that they worked within the office, they might need to use the tools that we offer them in most cases. So, as a business owner, as an employer, I prioritize people that use the systems and workflows that I'm familiar with which all my other vendors use which my in-house people are getting to be using. So, that's something you would possibly get to check out.

Whether meaning that folks got to be using specific software or operating systems or hardware, you would like to seem at that. For those that are creatives, you would like to know that if you were a knowledgeable photographer, and you hire a second shooter, most of the people who hire a second shooter as a photographer are gonna hire someone who's using the precise same camera system as them. Why? they will swap out accessories, batteries, and lenses very easily, and that they can explain things to every other and get on an equivalent page very rapidly. you would possibly wish to shoot Canon. I'm shooting Panasonic. I do not have lenses that are compatible with yours, or I might need to invest during a speed booster to create a swap out and use your lenses, and it doesn't suggest that it will produce equivalent results, et cetera, et cetera. it is the same thing with file compatibilities and systems. So I understand where you're coming from, you would like to be valued on your work only and not your tools, but there are business owners who that's not gonna compute for. I happen to be one among them. 

How to work with a Freelancer?

Let's talk a little bit about the way to work with a freelancer. Once you made the decision whether you hire someone through a referral or that you simply reach out directly or even you even took out an advertisement and hired somebody, you've got to work out what the working relationship is gonna be like. you've got to work out how you're gonna communicate with them. So you've got to understand, is it getting to be via email that change requests are made which you're communicating with them, or is it gonna be via phone calls? Is it gonna be via Skype meetings? Are you gonna be using Slack, or are you gonna be employing a project management system? This has got to be clear, and you've got to possess an identical sort of communication, and you would like to be ready to reach one another . one among The explanations that I do not like certain websites, Fiver being an example, is I do not like situations where I do not desire I own the connection with my vendor, with my freelancer, with my service provider. I prefer that sense of control. a scarcity of control creates anxiety on behalf of me, especially when it involves getting work done, then I want that so as to feel comfortable. 

This is often why I really like to hire directly more often than not, instead of employing a website or a service or a platform where I do not have that. Now with reference to communication and things like that, I feel that Upwork does a reasonably decent job of allowing you that. they are not sponsoring this text, I'm just saying that that is what my experience has been using that specific platform. So that's why I like to recommend Upwork and 99designs over something like Fiver. That's one of many reasons. But you only need to keep that in mind. generally, you would like to travel ahead and have that agreement in situ of this is often how we're gonna communicate, this is often how we're capable or allowed to speak, then you would like to form sure that each one communication is obvious. You because the client got to set clear expectations for your designer from jump street or it's getting to be a drag. you would like to also confirm that you simply understand what it's that they are gonna be providing to you which you ask appropriate questions. If you do not know, then ask. you're the employer. don't be concerned about being embarrassed. Clarity is the most vital thing. don't be concerned about how you are going to seem or be perceived. I guarantee you that they are not judging you, and albeit they're, they wanna get the work is completed for you and that they wanna deliver because that is the only way they're gonna get paid. So don't be concerned about the embarrassment, just be clear.

How to pay a Freelancer?

Speaking of getting paid, let's mention that. Typically during a given situation when you're working with a freelancer, you are going to either have service fees, flat rates, or hourly rates. there's a temptation by many of us who hire freelancers to urge the most cost-effective hourly rate possible. I like better to buy flat fees for a project. This might require you as someone hiring to try to your research as far as what something costs. If you do not know what something costs and you do not know what's appropriate, ask somebody. Find an individual in social media who provides that service, reach bent them, DM them whatever, and ask what proportion they might charge for something like that, then start to work out whether that's in your budget, then negotiate together with your freelancer. otherwise, you could just ask your freelancer what their rates and what their fees are. You'll just ask, then you'll haggle if you would like to at least one way or the opposite. I like better to do that. I like better to set a hard and fast allow what it's I do know I'm getting to spend both during a maximum, then I set myself a perfect range of what I might wish to get as far as a deal or what I might wish to save. But I set myself a minimum and a maximum. Then I usually do my very own research, understand what the pricing is cheap and what's typical then on, then forth, and that I get some quotes, then I'll ask the freelancer what's it that they feel comfortable to charge.

Then I'm ready to make a choice from there. I usually find that you simply recover pricing once you do that. I also feel that once you let the freelancer tell you what they're valuing their work on, you get a more honest communication, you've got a way better relationship because they do not desire they're getting screwed. They desire they asked for something, then you either said yes thereto, otherwise you asked more and more detail, what you would possibly be getting for that. you'll negotiate, maybe not on the worth, but on value. instead of trying to speak the freelancer down in price, I might say well if I pull back these requests, could we get this closer to the present number because that is what my budget is? So if I make it a touch easier on you, and you do not need to do nearly the maximum amount of work, are you able to compute a far better deal for me? I might use that language, and that I would go that route. If you would like more things, which is typically the direction I'm going, is I actually usually find yourself posing for more instead of less, then I just increase the worth accordingly in terms of what I feel comfortable with, and ask them if that's alright or if that is what they're comfortable with. And here's another tip that I exploit. If I even have something that the opposite person may value or might want, I put it on the table to mention, hey, is that this something you're interested in? I allow them to say yes or no, then I ask them if they'd wish to make a consideration in terms of either adjusting the worth in exchange for a service of mine or a product of mine and do some bartering there. I put it on the table as an option.

I do not usually lead to thereupon. I let people tell me what they're comfortable with. Sometimes people come to me and need exactly that scenario, or it's something that they believe. Because there are things that I do need to offer them. So you've got to remember that. take care of this also. Don't offer exposure intrinsically, but if you really really do have leverage otherwise you want to supply something in terms of claiming, well I even have more business to try to to with you, I'm getting to be doing bulk orders or ordering you recognize services from you at a high volume, or I even have a network that I can introduce you to in terms of referrals, or I even have an outsized email list. Would you wish to possess some sort of access to it? These are things that you simply can discuss, and if the freelancer isn't hospitable them, then they are not hospitable them. But just be upfront and have an edge of integrity and value when you're negotiating prices and costs. Something else that I consider is I avoid hourly rates whenever possible at the least costs. I do not think there's really an incentive when it involves hourly rates. If you're painting my house and you're charging by the hour, you've got every incentive to require six months. If I want something done timely, I do not enter an hourly rate.

I pay outright because it gives you each incentive to urge it done, get paid, and move to a subsequent job. With reference to those payments, if you're employing a platform, the payment is held in escrow then you've got to review and approve everything before the payment's released. If you're doing this on your own, working with a freelancer, maybe ask if payments are often made in terms of installments supported stages of labor that are completed and reviewed and approved by you because of the client. Or do something sort of a deposit 1/3 or 1/2 upfront, then the remainder incrementally. find out what you're comfortable with, and if possible attempt to either has a general agreement, a contract, or an invoice in situ from the freelancer to only have some paperwork behind this transaction. In terms of the way to make payments, PayPal, Stripe, and Venmo are great payment systems. I highly recommend those. and people are great ways to figure with freelancers. Typically if you're using a web platform, it's compatible with those things. PayPal is that the most generally used of alright now. 

How to confirm that you're getting what you paid for?

Finally, let's mention the way to confirm you're getting what you purchased. Ultimately, you ought to put some quite review process for approval in situ for the payoff, and it should be clear what percentage revisions you're allowed because of the client. don't make the idea of assuming you've got unlimited revisions or that you're entitled thereto. this is often someone's time and livelihood, so just attempt to do a good deal and be honest and upfront about what your expectations are, what you would like, what deadlines are. I might also confirm that when you're working with freelancers, give them soft deadlines. If something is due on Friday, don't tell 'em it's due on Friday. As for it by Tuesday or Wednesday to offer yourself room for flexibility. Like just give yourself that buffer within the worst-case scenario. Because there is a lot that you simply don't control during this situation, and you do not want to be left holding a bag, you do not wanna be in an uncomfortable situation for you. you furthermore may don't need to place your freelancer under the gun. So you recognize just give some slack where it's needed. Getting a deposit in situ then holding the rest of the cash until a project's completed is that the best-case scenario in terms of creating sure you're getting what you purchased, in terms of getting the ultimate files. you recognize you'll do this at roughly an equivalent time or an equivalent day as far as a transaction. I feel that that's usually fine.

Just confirm that clear communication is being had by you recognize you and your freelancer if you wanna confirm that you're both getting what you purchased. nobody likes to possess a nasty referral or a nasty reference, nobody likes a nasty testimonial. Everyone wants to feel that they have been treated fairly. So just confirm that you're operating accordingly which you are making it easy for them and for you. So clients out there, I hope this helps you understand the way to hire a freelancer and tells you some things that perhaps you needed to understand. If you're out there and you are a freelancer, maybe this provides you a far better insight into the way that an honest client should affect you, how you ought to be treated, and also maybe you understand what a client could be trying to find a touch better. I'd like to know you guys' thoughts on this text and therefore the five points that I covered. Also if you've got any tips or advice that you simply wanna offer, either freelancers or clients, leave those within the comments section. I would love to have a really thorough discussion about this, so let's go ahead and get that going. Like this article, if you like it, don't forget to SHARE. Check out another awesome content here Top 5 Tips to start freelancing | How to start freelancing in 2020. As always you guys, thanks so very much for reading, and don't forget, go out there and create something awesome today. Take care.