Using quality freelancers can be as great an asset to your business as your valued employees.
Freelancers provide you with dedicated services just like your regular employees,
but save you a great deal of costs and expenses. They provide you with often low-cost services (in most cases, much lower that what larger companies charge or what it would cost you to conduct the procedure in-house) and they are available as and when you require them... in some cases, even on weekends for those urgent projects.
However, the success of outsourcing your projects depends on the kind of freelancers you hire. While professional freelancers can help you enhance your business efficiency, a wrong choice can derail your project and cost you time and money. Therefore, it is extremely important to know how to find a professional freelancer with valuable industry experience and the kind of skills that you require for your project.
Here are some tips that will help you zero in on the right freelancer – that is, the type that will add value to your business and help take your business to new heights:
Research
The first step to getting the best quality freelancer is to carry out sufficient due diligence and research about their credibility and legitimacy. Start by searching for them on Google. A professional freelancer in today’s world should have a strong online presence. Also, check their online references and reviews about their work. This will give you insight about the professionalism of the person and the kind of work you can expect from them.
Check their Portfolio
The best indication of a professionals' performance is the work they have done for others. Check through the portfolios of potential freelancers to these the kind of work they have completed for other clients. This will also show you whether they have experience doing the kind of projects you want to outsource to them.
Feedback from Previous Clients
A freelancers' previous clients can provide you with valuable information about them. Try to contact some of the freelancer’s previous clients and ask them about their experience of working with the freelancer. Ask whether the freelancer adhered to their Project Agreement, whether the project was completed on time and within budget, whether they were happy with the freelancer’s performance, whether the freelancer was responsive to their emails and requests, and whether their overall communication skills were satisfactory.. These sorts of questions will give you a lot of insight about what you can expect from the freelancer.
References
References are a great way to determine whether or not a freelancer is the right person for your job. References inform you about the skills and expertise of the freelancer. Also, the willingness of a former employer to speak on their behalf can say a lot about the freelancer.
Current Projects on the Go
Ask the freelancer what other current projects they are handling. This will let you know if the freelancer is in high demand or not. A professional who delivers good work, completes projects on time and meets the expectations of clients has repeat business. In addition, check how much extra work they can take on at one time and how good are they in working under pressure. While you want a freelancer who is in demand, you don’t want a freelancer who does not have enough time to do your project properly.
Follow the above simple tips, and you will be on the right path to finding the right freelance professional who will add value to your business and make your processes more efficient.
Disclaimer : Sabra Easterday is the owner and founder of MatchB2B. Sabra is also a lawyer with a special interest in business issues and e-marketplaces. Notwithstanding that Sabra Easterday is a lawyer, nothing in this article and no services of MatchB2B or its website are legal services and no attorney-client relationship exists between any reader of this article or user, customer or potential customer of MatchB2B, and MatchB2B, its website or Sabra Easterday.
