Freelancers have the expertise and experience to deliver first-rate output. This is the reason companies outsource some of their projects and tasks. If you already have freelancers in your team, you to know how to manage them effectively. Doing so boosts your company’s efficiency and may increase your bottom line.
Learn how to manage freelancers with the following tips.
Communicate Regularly
A freelancer isn’t part of your full-time team. You should set a schedule to communicate with them regularly. Depending on your office’s location, you can have them see you in-person. Alternatively, you can send emails and/or have video or audio conferences. It is easier to communicate now because of social media and phone apps. This approach allows you to monitor the work progress of your freelancers and review the output before finalizing it. Platforms you can use to communicate regularly and manage remote freelancers include Zoom, Skype, Facetime, and Facebook just to name a few.
Agree on a Payment Method
Freelancers aren’t part of your regular payroll employees. You should agree on a payment method so that there won’t be any delays or mishaps once you release money. This may be online through direct bank transfers, PayPal, Google Wallet or other platforms you deem safe. After agreeing on a payment platform, determine the schedule for its release. Will you payout twice a month or pay 50% as a down payment and pay the rest after the project? An agreed upon schedule sets expectations for both parties.
Monitor Their Work
You’ll need to monitor the progress and output of your freelancers to get your money’s worth. Some freelancers say all the right things but fail to deliver once the deadline arrives. To avoid this problem agree on a monitoring or project management tool that works for both parties. This allows you to see the updates and progress of the tasks you assigned. You can follow up if you think your freelancer is taking too long. You can discuss changes in the article, video or content and their implementation.
Performance Evaluation
Just like your employees you want to evaluate the output of the freelancers you hired. This will justify their asking price and if they are worth recommending to your colleagues in the industry. Discuss the evaluation process with your freelancer/s. This open discussion sets expectations. Provide them with the parameters you’ll use to assess their work. Be fair in your assessment so you can build a strong working relationship with your freelancers.
These are some of the ways to efficiently manage freelancers on your team. Implement these to improve the productivity of your company processes. If you need bookkeeping services, don’t hesitate to contact Robookkeeper. We can connect you with first-rate virtual bookkeepers.
