In this tough economy more and more companies are turning to freelancers to pitch in with big projects. A freelancer can save your business a ton of money by offering job specific help, but there are few things you need to ask when shopping for one. Who Have They Worked With?
Some freelancers have a specific niche that won’t work for your business. You wouldn’t hire a medical writer to work on a gardening website. Knowing exactly what you’ll need for your project will give you a big head start.
When I meet with potential clients I want them to feel confident I can do the job they’re hiring me for. I expect them to ask me what I can do and who I’ve worked with. A good freelancer will be honest about their strengths and weaknesses and won’t promise results they can’t deliver.
Do They Do More Than One Thing?
Every company is looking to get the most bang for the buck. A freelancer who can handle multiple aspects of the project can be a gold mine. Sometimes clients call me to whip up some quick copy, but I also offer services like photography, graphic design and marketing strategy. Someone with full slate of tools will often bundle services and cut clients a break on price.
Are They Thinking Big Picture?
I strive to give clients exactly what they want, but sometimes they aren’t sure what they’re looking for. Often they have a vision, but don’t know how to put it into words. As a former reporter, I have a knack for drawing out a client’s vision, putting it into their own words and offering up ideas to make it happen.
A creative thinker can be the spark that sets fire to your next marketing or advertising campaign and keeps your customers engaged.
How will they represent your brand?
Smaller projects are usually done off sight, but bigger projects mean the freelancer will be working directly with your team, sometimes for weeks at a time. You need to be comfortable with them representing your brand in the office and in front of your clients. Make sure they can handle themselves in a variety of professional settings.
An experienced freelancer will know how much work they can handle, but not everyone will volunteer that info. Don’t be afraid to ask what else they’re working on. That way you know your project won’t fall to the bottom of the priority list. And don’t be afraid to set a deadline. A freelancer is a temporary employee working on your time line. Make sure they can get the work done by the time you need it.
How Will They be Paid?
A professional freelancer shouldn’t give you a quote before meeting to talk about a project. I would never give a client an estimate without knowing exactly what I’ll be doing and how long it will take. Anyone that quotes you a price before knowing the details is either desperate for work or they’re trying to rip you off with an inflated price.
The same concept applies when discussing when they’ll be paid. Never pay the full price up front, no matter how small the job is. I usually ask for one third of the payment up front. The rest is paid as the project moves along or when it’s done.
Chris Vanasdalan is a freelance writer based out of Indianapolis. He’d love to show you just how valuable a freelancer can be to your business.
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