Working with a freelancer
Businesses today are under added pressure to adapt quickly and stay a step ahead of the competition. If your business doesn’t have the resources in-house to keep up, you could be left behind or you could hire a freelancer.
More companies are relying on freelancers to get things done. It’s an easy way to access specialised talent and those people with in-demand skills so it’s easy to see why.
If you’re still not sold on the idea, spend a couple of minutes reading this blog post and see if it can change your mind. I’ll be asking (and answering) the following questions:
- Why should freelancers be your next investment?
- Is using a freelancer right for your business?
- What can a freelancer help with?
- Are freelancers expensive?
- Will a freelancer even care about my company?
- How do you find the right freelancer?
- How can you get the most out of your freelancer?
Why should freelancers be your next investment?
It’ll save you money
When you only need project work done periodically or help to cover a particularly busy period for a limited time, you can save all the costs that come with hiring a full-time employee by hiring a freelancer.
It’ll give you more flexibility
Having extra freelance support can definitely give you flexibility in terms of bringing in much-needed skills at the exact moment you need them. It could also allow your business to provide support outside of normal business hours, so things like replying to Facebook messages can be dealt with long after you’ve signed off for the day.
It’ll get the job done faster
It can be tempting to give something a go yourself but if it’s a task that’s outside your usual skill set, you could spend hours and hours trying to get to grips with it whereas a freelancer who’s an expert in their field could have it done in 10 minutes.
It’ll get the job done better
Generally, freelancers are experts in their field. They’ve spent years practicing and honing their skills so if you bring them on board they’ll bring a wealth of knowledge into your business.
It’ll reduce risk
Freelancers aren’t employees so if for whatever reason they’re not the right fit, you can replace them much easier than a salaried employee.
But is using a freelancer right for you?
Does your staff have the expertise?
Whether you need an SEO expert, a social media strategist, or an amazing web developer to push your site to the next level, sometimes you need a specialist. If you’re lucky enough to have this specialist already on your team, that’s great. If not, it could be time to look elsewhere.
Are your staff already run off their feet?
We all understand that work needs to get done and budgets are tight but this can often lead to overworked and overstressed employees. Assign select projects to freelancers to get the work done faster, to a high standard, and avoid employee burnout.
Yes, your in-house staff can do it…but is it the best use of their time?
Your team has been hired to do a job based on their specific skill set. So why take them away from their own tasks and put them on a project that they don’t have the skills for? Think about what your employees can realistically accomplish and if their time would be better spent focussing on core business issues.
Are you missing out on opportunities?
Are you losing out on business because you can’t respond quickly enough to demand? Is your competition catching up or even overtaking you? Think about the projects that you’re behind on and the areas of the business that need improvement. Freelancers can help you stay ahead and make the most of every opportunity.
What can a freelancer help with?
The short answer is anything.
Whatever project you’re looking for help with, there’ll be a freelancer that meets your needs including people that specialise in:
- Search engine optimisation
- Social media
- Copywriting
- Web and mobile development
- Paid campaigns
- Graphic design
- Marketing & sales
- Writing & translation
- Accounting & consulting
- Admin & customer support
Are freelancers expensive?
The rate freelancers can charge depends on their specialism, experience, and location with people charging anywhere from £10 – £150 an hour.
While a freelancer’s hourly rate can sometimes seem steep, you can still save money for the reasons mentioned above. And it’s important to note that you’ll only be charged for the time they’re actually working on your project.
Will a freelancer even care about my company?
Freelancers are business owners and leaders just like you so they understand what drives a business forward. They are typically doing the work they enjoy too so are passionate and dedicated to their craft.
And as they’re not a permanent member of staff, freelancers need to prove their worth every time to essentially keep their job.
How to find the right freelancer?
There are loads of freelancers out there. So the first step is to know what you want.
Some small businesses can be nervous when working with a freelancer for the first time. There’s a lot of trust involved and that’s why I find referrals and recommendations to be the most powerful and trustworthy.
But there are some other ways to find someone you want to work with:
- Ask for recommendations – you can do this in person or on LinkedIn
- Search on social platforms – you can find freelancers of all kinds on LinkedIn and even Twitter
- Do an online search – you Google most things nowadays so why not search for a freelancer on there too?
- Identify work that you like – if you see a logo design or social media channel that you admire, why not ask the business who’s responsible
- Scour online marketplaces – Sites like Upwork and People Per Hour make it easy for you to contract freelancers and they usually charge on the lower end of the scale.
Getting the most out of your freelancer
Working with a freelancer isn’t the traditional employee – employer relationship. It tends to work much better when you choose to work in partnership. Valuing the expertise, opinions, and perspective of each other.
Whether it’s a one-off project or an ongoing campaign, clear goals and two-way communication are key to making the most of any project and creating a working relationship that’s beneficial to both parties.
Bringing a freelancer into your business can be one of the best things you do but it’s important to find the right freelancer and that starts with being clear about what you need and how you want the relationship to work.
If you’re looking for a digital marketing freelancer here in the North East, I can help. Contact me today.