How to Manage Freelancers Effectively for Great Results
According to a recent report, there are more than 53 million freelance workers in the US and the number is steadily growing. Many businesses find it economic and convenient to employ freelance workers for their project.
If your company plans to hire freelancers in the near future, you need to know that managing freelancers is different than managing full-time employees. To help you get best out of the freelance workforce, here are some tips on how to manage freelancers.
But before that let's know about some misunderstanding about freelancers that are the root cause of problems while managing a freelance workforce.
Common Misunderstandings about Freelancers
Limited Interaction with Freelancers
Many managers think they do not have to interact much with freelancers. You may not have any hierarchical relationships with them but it does not mean you let them loose and let them manage themselves. You need to be thoughtfully managing them through regular interaction to get the best output from them.
Not Important as Full-Time Employees
This is a common misconception amongst managers that freelancers are not important as full-time employees. Often this misconception changes the behavior and attitude of manager towards freelancers that prevent the building of trust and make freelancers feel alienated.
Eliminating these misunderstandings will lay the foundation to build a good relationship with freelancers. Now, here is some information about how to manage freelancers successfully.
Know Their Expectations
Since you don’t know freelancers, it is always good to ask directly about their expectations. You can ask them what they are hoping to get from this assignment. Remember, it is not always money that attracts freelancers.
One of the reasons freelancers express interest in your project could be because of the opportunity of learning new skills, opportunity to work with a big organization or any other reason you might not think of. Once you know their expectation, you can work accordingly to ensure they achieve that.
Set Expectations
After listening to a freelancer’s expectation, it’s time to tell yours. You need to be clear and tell them what you expect from them in terms of work. It can be anything like a new website, a well-designed product brochure, or any work. Draft a statement that mentions details of the work along with context and timeline.
Since freelancers have not been around your organization for years now, they don’t have the same familiarity as your full time employees get. Hence, you need to communicate with them often about the goals set for them.
Be Inclusive
Don’t be indifferent when interacting with freelancers. Make them part of your team and show them you value them equally like your permanent employees. Invite them to project meetings, include them in team conversations, and add their names to your team email list. However, while doing so ensure you don’t break any compliance laws set by your organization.
Give Feedback
Feedback should not be limited to regular employees. Give regular feedback to freelancers that will help improve their work. Constructive feedback not only encourages employees/freelancers, it also strengthens the work relationship. Regularly discuss the statement of work, milestones achieved, achievements and improvements with freelancers.
The above tips should provide you with a solid foundation when starting to manage your freelancers. The freelancer workforce is getting strong and you will need to articulate the skills and strategies required to manage this workforce.
Vitamin Talent is a creative staffing agency operating from Los Angeles, Boston, London, etc., providing companies with the right talent plus help them in managing freelancers ( VitaminTalent/How-to-manage-freelancers ) and placing job-seeking candidates in the best positions and help. For more information, visit VitaminTalent/What-we-do.