Freelancers Are a Great Choice When You Need Affordable Hires

Are you a small business owner looking to cut costs with hiring? A great way to do this is by hiring freelancers instead of full-time employees. Not only are freelancers usually more affordable, but they also offer a variety of skills and talents that you can take advantage of. Today, the experts at the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce share some tips on best practices for cultivating a team of freelancers from anywhere in the world.

Why Freelancers Are an Affordable Option

One of the main reasons why hiring freelancers is so attractive to small business owners is that they are often more affordable than traditional employees. When you hire an employee, you not only have to pay their salary, but you also have to pay for their benefits, taxes, and other associated costs. When you hire a freelancer, you only have to pay them for their services. This can save you a significant amount of money, especially if you are working with a tight budget.

Great Places to Find Freelancers

There are several different places where you can find talented freelancers who can help you with your business needs. One of the best places to look is online job boards like Upwork or Freelancer. You can also find great freelancers by posting ads on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Finally, don’t forget to reach out to associates or people in your network to see if they know anyone who might be interested in working with you.

Be Sure to Evaluate Candidates Carefully

Once you have received applications from potential candidates, it’s time to start vetting them. Start by thoroughly looking over their portfolios and any testimonials. Next, it's time to start setting up phone or video interviews. This will allow you to get a better sense of each candidate’s personality and whether or not they would be a good fit for your team. You should also ask each candidate for references who can attest to their work.

What Else to Look for in a Freelancer

Not all freelancers are ideal for remote work. When vetting candidates, be sure to ask them if they have experience working remotely and if they feel comfortable doing so. It’s also important to make sure that they have the necessary skills and equipment (e.g., laptop, internet connection, etc.) to work remotely. Ideally, you want to find candidates who are self-motivated, disciplined, and organized — these qualities will be essential for ensuring that they can successfully work from home.

Designating as an LLC Is a Smart Move

Before hiring any freelancers for your business, there are a few administrative tasks that need to be taken care of first. Namely, designating your business as a Washington LLC for tax purposes and liability protection as well as obtaining the appropriate licenses and permits (if necessary). These tasks can seem overwhelming at first, but there are plenty of resources available online that can help walk you through the process step by step. 

Create Clear Contracts

Once these tasks have been taken care of, then you can move on to the next step: sending out contracts! It’s important that both you and your freelancer sign on the dotted line before any work begins. This way, you’ll both be on the same page when it comes to payments, projects, and timelines. Here’s a contract template you can use to fill in all the details of the job you’re hiring for. After updating it with all of the necessary information, you can download it as a PDF and email it to your new hire, and then you can use a PDF filler to sign it. Using a tool to sign the contract digitally ensures both you and your freelancer have a fast and secure way of signing the document so you can begin working together as quickly as possible.

Manage Projects Effectively with Online Platforms

Investing in a project management platform can help you manage freelancer work more effectively. When seeking solutions for a project management tool, look for a platform where you can easily set up projects, assign tasks, keep track of communication and payments, and monitor progress and deadlines. Look for a platform that also offers tools like time tracking and resource scheduling that can help make sure projects are completed on time. 

Set Local Freelancers Up in a Coworking Site

Paying for coworking space for local freelancers can be a great way to ensure that you are providing your freelancers with the best working environment possible. Coworking spaces offer a range of benefits such as reliable internet, patio space, ergonomic furniture, copy and scanning equipment, and more. By providing access to these services, you can give your freelancers the tools they need to succeed while helping them remain productive and efficient throughout their work day.

There are many things to consider when building a global team of freelancers for your business, but it’s not difficult to pull off. By following the tips outlined in this article, you’ll be well on your way to putting together a group of talented individuals who can help take your business to the next level without breaking the bank.