There are many benefits to working with a team of freelancers from all over the world. This can be more cost-effective than hiring in-house staff, and you often gain access to a wider range of skills and perspectives. This said, building a successful, happy, and productive team of freelancers is not without its challenges – here are some best practices to follow when assembling your remote team.
Preparations
Before taking on clients or freelancers, you’ll want to ensure that your business operations are running smoothly. Here are a few administrative tasks you should get out of the way first:
Legalities and Compliance
You can start by registering your business and choosing a structure that best meets your personal circumstances. An LLC will provide flexibility and tax advantages and will help you attract investors. Search for cheap LLC formation services to avoid the hefty lawyer fees associated with registration. You may also need a business license to operate legally, depending on the field or industry you are in, so be sure to acquire this before opening for business.
Finances
You’ll need to set up your accounting in order to keep track of your finances and file your taxes. There are many software options available to help you keep thorough records. It’s important to get insurance for your business in case something goes wrong. This will protect you from lawsuits and other financial damages.
Finding Freelancers
- Search online: There are plenty of platforms designed to connect businesses with freelancers, such as Upwork, Freelancer, and PeoplePerHour. Post a detailed job listing that includes the skills and experience you’re looking for to attract the right talent.
- Ask for referrals: Turn to your professional network for recommendations. This way, you may find a freelancer who already has a working knowledge of the industry.
- Review portfolios: A freelancer’s portfolio will grant you insight into their professional conduct and the quality of their work, so pay close attention to this.
Ideal Qualities
When you’re not in the same physical space as your team, clear and frequent communication is essential. Look for freelancers who will regularly keep you updated with their progress and are comfortable using various communication tools, such as video conferencing, chat, and email. Deadlines are another key variable of freelancing, so ensure that your chosen employee can deliver high-quality work on time. Ask about their project management methods and how they stay organized before onboarding.
Virtually Training Freelancers
Capturing and sustaining the attention of trainees online can be challenging, so these strategies may prove helpful.
- Ensure that training materials are clear and concise. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that the freelancers may not be familiar with.
- In addition to written instructions, use visuals to help explain concepts. This could include screenshots, infographics, or even short videos. This way, the freelancer will have references while working
- Regularly check in with your new recruits to make sure they understand the material. Do this through quizzes, exercises, or simply asking them to explain the concept back to you.
Communication
Use virtual workspaces
Online tools can help you collaborate with remote team members. Use Google Drive, Dropbox, Trello, or similar apps to create a virtual workspace that everyone can access to share project files. Tools like Asana or Basecamp are useful for creating and assigning tasks, setting deadlines, and tracking progress.
Check in regularly
Weekly video calls allow you the opportunity to touch base with your team. You will be able to get updates, provide feedback and answer any questions they may have.
Improve efficiency
If your business often requires collaboration, there may be numerous documents to keep track of. To avoid confusion and inconsistency, use a PDF merging tool to keep all your documents in one file and shuffle the PDF pages to rearrange the order as needed.
Payment
You may pay freelancers hourly, per project, or a retainer. Your budget and the nature of the work will determine your choice of payment method. Platforms like PayPal or Venmo make it easy to send and receive payments from anywhere in the world. Freelancers often rely on this income to pay ALL their bills, so be sure to make payments on time. If there is a delay in payment, communicate this to your team.
Finding the right freelancers will open up your business to a world of possibilities. However, it’s essential to make use of the tools and platforms at your disposal to ease this process and foster strong professional connections. With the right approach, you will be able to sustain a mutually beneficial partnership, resulting in happy clients and increased profits.
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