How To Work Well With A Freelancer

In our previous post we listed ways on how out to get the right freelancers and how to sift through the many responses that you’d receive. In this post we’ll give you a few Dos and Don’ts that will help you get the working relationship right.

Dos

• First make sure your project plan, delivery schedules, dependencies etc are all documented and agreed upon before you start
• If your timelines are tight get all the dependencies on your side ready. For e.g. if the freelance contractor has to paint a mural on a wall then get the wall fixed for leaks and cracks before the contractor begins the work
• Be honest about the budget. Your prime objective should be to get the work done and lengthy contract negotiations are best left to corporations
• Document all conversations between you and the freelancer regarding remuneration and payment schedule and share the same with your freelancer
• Check with the freelancer regarding service and maintenance before you start your work, don’t bring these up as add-ons
• If you are involved in the project and have the freelancer working as a collaborator be clear about what you will and will not do
• Establish a mode of communication and use it consistently. For some freelancer operating remotely Skype may be the only option, a few may be reluctant to share personal numbers
• Fix a time for daily calls and stick to it
• Your freelancer is an independent contractor and may work on multiple projects at the same time. Respect that but get a non-disclosure agreement in place if needed

Don’ts

• Don’t mark down the project cost and expect to get a ‘bargain’
• Do not expect the freelancer to provide any service other than the ones agreed upon at the same cost
• Do not leave any ambiguities in your project plan. If it can’t be detailed into clearly defined deliveries drop it
• Do not call the freelancer at any time of the day and make sure that working and non-working hours (and days) are decided before you sign on

Working with a freelancer can ensure a quick and cost-effective delivery but it also requires you to be the best project manager that you can be. So, here’s hoping you find the right people for the job and have fun working with them.

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