Hiring a freelancer is an excellent route for completing tasks that you aren’t an expert on or that take too much time out of your schedule. In fact, there are some tasks that every business should outsource. There are scores of skilled and cost-effective freelancers ready to take on any job you can imagine.
However, hiring a freelancer can be risky business if you don’t know what you’re doing. Here are some huge mistakes that can lead you to wasting time and money on a finished product you can’t even use.
1. Not being specific in your details
Which sounds better to you:
“I need a blog post about mistakes you can make when hiring a freelancer” or “ I need an 800-word blog post about outsourcing mistakes that focuses on breakdowns in communication by Friday. I’ll include bullet points and a list of keywords.”
There are a lot of assumptions we can make when dealing with someone, but not everyone is going to be on the same page as you, even for things you feel are obvious. What if the above post had been ordered as “Freelancer Mistakes” and you received a blog about mistakes that freelancers make?
Your chosen writer may not have the information about your demographic or industry that you do. It’s better to provide specific and detailed instruction on what you’re looking for, especially if you have a specific goal in mind.
2. Making assumptions that aren’t in the description
This is another area where you should not assume that you and your prospective freelancer are on the same page. My assumption may be that a great blog post includes keywords, links, and media. However, that doesn’t mean that when I order a blog post it will come with those additions. Read the description of the gig thoroughly to understand what it is you’ll be receiving. It won’t be their fault if your deliverable doesn’t include something they didn’t offer in the first place.
Keep in mind the factors of your entire scope of work. For images that may be what file format you need, whether a graphic design project will include the project files or just the finished product, any additional specs such as usage rights.
3. Hiring the first person who looks capable
When outsourcing, it can be tempting to hire the first person with a good-looking profile. You need a task completed and they say they know how to do it well, so why not? You may think you’re saving time by making a quick selection, but, you may end up spending more time on revisions or having to find a second freelancer because the first one wasn’t actually a good fit. Push beyond first impressions.
4. Not adding time for revisions
Even with very specific instructions, sometimes the end product has a mistake or just ends up not quite what you wanted. Be sure to know how many revisions a freelancer offers and build that time into your schedule. Ordering an infographic with just enough time before it needs to be posted will cause problems if the color scheme is wrong or an error was made. Give yourself and your freelancer plenty of time so that you don’t have to stick with an underwhelming result or spend time you don’t have waiting for revisions.
5. Not qualifying potential freelancers
Once you’ve got a few freelancers in mind for a project, it’s a great idea to reach out to them before you order anything. This can help you spot any red flags that weren’t readily available in their profiles and to just make sure you have a good fit. I once reached out to a freelancer with a specific question and their response was “Hi Angie, I am very excited to work with you!”. It was clear they didn’t bother to read or respond to my question, so I knew moving forward communication would have challenges. I went with someone else. Make sure you clarify any questions you have about their profile or offer. Check what their anticipated turnaround time is and how much experience with the kind of work you need.
Outsourcing doesn’t have to be a nightmare. In fact, it can be a humongous boon for you and your business when it’s done correctly. Don’t be afraid to test the waters and see what hiring a freelancer can do for you! Just make sure you’re keeping these missteps in mind so that your experience can go as smoothly as possible.
The best thing you can do is to slow down when you look at potential candidates. Manage your own expectations and don’t make assumptions about the work being done. The best part is that once you’ve found a great freelancer, you can come back to them whenever you need a similar project done and cut out all the hassle of having to find someone.
Don’t let the fear of outsourcing hold you back. Our free guide will give you the confidence and knowledge you need to succeed. Download it today!
