Hiring freelancers can be a great way to get quality work done quickly and efficiently. However, getting the most out of your freelancers requires proper onboarding. In this article, we will discuss why proper onboarding is a must when working with freelancers, and we will provide eight hacks to help you onboard your freelancers effectively.
Why Proper Onboarding Is a Must?
Onboarding is the process of integrating new employees or contractors into your company. It helps set expectations, establish communication protocols, and build trust. When working with freelancers, onboarding is especially important because they are not physically present in your office and may have never worked with your company before. Proper onboarding can help avoid miscommunications and misunderstandings, leading to a more successful working relationship.
Here are eight hacks to help you onboard your freelancers effectively:
1. Provide Clear Project Guidelines
When hiring a freelancer, it’s important to provide clear guidelines for the project. This includes deadlines, project scope, and expectations. The more specific you can be, the better. This will help the freelancer understand exactly what you’re looking for and avoid any miscommunications down the road.
2. Set Communication Expectations
Communication is key when working with freelancers. Establish clear communication protocols, such as what tools you will use to communicate (email, chat, phone, etc.) and how often you expect updates. It’s also important to establish a point person for the freelancer to contact with any questions or concerns.
3. Provide Necessary Tools and Access
Make sure to provide the freelancer with any necessary tools or access to complete the project. This may include access to software or files, or tools to complete the project such as a project management tool or communication platform.
4. Introduce the Freelancer to Your Company
Introduce the freelancer to your company culture and values. This can be done through an introduction to your company handbook or a brief overview of your company’s mission statement. This will help the freelancer understand the context of their work and how it fits into your company’s overall goals.
5. Provide Training and Support
If the project requires the freelancer to use specific tools or software, provide training and support to ensure they are comfortable using them. This will help the freelancer get up to speed quickly and avoid delays in the project.
6. Clarify Payment and Invoicing Procedures
Clarify payment and invoicing procedures upfront. This includes the agreed-upon rate, payment terms and how and when the freelancer will invoice you. This will help avoid any confusion or delays in payment down the road.
7. Provide Feedback and Set Expectations
Provide feedback on the freelancer’s work and set expectations for future work. This will help the freelancer understand what they did well and what they can improve on for future projects. It’s also important to set expectations for future work, such as deadlines or project scope.
8. Check-In Regularly
Check-in with the freelancer regularly to make sure everything is going smoothly. This can be done through regular status updates or scheduled check-ins. Regular communication will help you catch any issues early and avoid any misunderstandings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, proper onboarding is a must when working with freelancers. It helps set expectations, establish communication protocols, and build trust. By providing clear project guidelines, setting communication expectations, providing necessary tools and access, introducing the freelancer to your company, providing training and support, clarifying payment and invoicing procedures, providing feedback and setting expectations, and checking in regularly, you can onboard your freelancers effectively and get the most out of your working relationship.
