The age of freelance is giving businesses new opportunities. Companies are now able to cut costs while getting work done faster than ever. But the remote hiring of freelancers does have its share of disadvantages.
For one thing, since freelancers are coming in on a by-project basis, they may not be as familiar with what you do as a full-time employee would be. And of course, since freelancers are usually remote, even basic communication is different than what most project managers are used to.
For those reasons, today we will explore how to effectively manage a project in the era of freelancers.
It’s Starts with the Hiring Process
Your project is going to be much easier to manage if you hire smart to begin with. Working with a freelancer requires lots of mutual trust. On your end, you want to make sure that the person you hire is worth the trust you put in them.
Remember, you aren’t just vetting for talent. Personality matches are important. Make sure that a freelancer fits your work culture before hiring them!
Once you do hire them, you may find it worthwhile to acclimate them to your business process the same way you would a full-time hire. Of course, this might not be practical if the hire is only for a quick project. However, you may still find it worthwhile to introduce your freelancer to your business partners, and make sure that they understand your core values.
Be as Clear as Possible
It’s important that you explain your exact expectations at the beginning of the process. This doesn’t mean micro-managing. It just means being a good communicator. Remember that your freelance team probably hasn’t worked with you or your company in the past. That means that they only know what you tell them.
The better you communicate your wants, the more likely it is you will see them realized.
Be Smart with Your Deadlines
Sometimes freelancers are brought on to do crunch work. However, if you aren’t up against the clock, it is a good idea to give your freelance team space to breath.
Good work takes time. Plus, it is important to remember that most freelancers are juggling more than one project at a time. For your purposes it may be a little bit frustrating to wait on a freelancer as they finish up a task for someone else.
However, there is wisdom in accepting that it is rare to get a good freelancer all to yourself. Reasonable deadlines will allow your freelance team to give you their best work.
Technology is Your Friend
Last but not least, take advantage of your tools. Technology makes it easier than ever to communicate rapidly with a remote team. Tools like Trello, Skype, Slack, and Google Office make remote communication remarkably simple.
Of course, it is also important that you don’t go over board with the tools. Try to keep your team communication consolidated to a single platform if you can to ensure that the process is as streamlined as possible.
