Hiring remote freelancers can be a great way to bring in specialized talent to your business. However, once you’ve found the right person for the job, the on boarding process can be a bit different from what you might be used to with a traditional employee.
In this episode, we’ll cover some tips for on boarding, setting up, and integrating new freelancers into your team.
Establish Clear Communication Channels
One of the most important things you can do when bringing on a remote freelancer is to establish clear communication channels from the beginning. This means figuring out how you will communicate with your freelancer and making sure they are comfortable with the tools and methods you choose. Some common communication channels for remote teams include:
- Email: This is a basic communication channel that most people are familiar with.
- Instant messaging: Platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams can be great for quick messages and keeping everyone on the same page.
- Video conferencing: Tools like Zoom or Google Meet can be great for face-to-face meetings and collaboration.
- Project management software: Platforms like Trello or Asana can help keep everyone organized and on track.
Once you’ve chosen your communication channels, make sure to let your freelancer know how and when they should use each one. This will help avoid confusion and ensure everyone is on the same page from the start.
Set Clear Expectations
When on boarding a remote freelancer, it’s important to set clear expectations from the beginning. This means outlining your expectations for their work, availability, and communication. Some things to consider include:
- Deadlines: Make sure your freelancer knows when projects are due and how much time they have to complete them.
- Availability: Let your freelancer know when you expect them to be available and how quickly you expect them to respond to messages.
- Communication: Establish guidelines for how often you expect to hear from your freelancer and what types of updates you want to receive.
Setting clear expectations will help ensure that your freelancer knows what is expected of them and can work efficiently and effectively with your team.
Provide Necessary Resources and Tools
When working with remote freelancers, it’s important to make sure they have access to all the resources and tools they need to do their job effectively. This might include:
- Login credentials: Make sure your freelancer has access to any platforms or tools they need to complete their work.
- Hardware and software: If your freelancer needs access to specific hardware or software, make sure they have what they need to get the job done.
- Training and documentation: Provide your freelancer with any necessary training materials or documentation to help them get up to speed quickly.
Providing your freelancer with the necessary resources and tools will help them feel prepared and ready to tackle their assignments.
Integrate them into the Team
Finally, it’s important to make sure your freelancer feels like part of the team. This means making an effort to include them in team meetings, discussions, and social activities. Some ways to integrate your freelancer into the team include:
- Scheduling regular check-ins: Schedule regular check-ins with your freelancer to keep them up to date on team progress and make sure they feel included.
- Inviting them to team meetings: Make sure your freelancer is invited to team meetings and has access to any necessary meeting materials.
- Including them in social activities: If your team has social events or team-building activities, make an effort to include your freelancer as well.
Integrating your freelancer into the team will help them feel like a valued member of the group and will encourage collaboration and communication.Additionally, be sure to establish clear payment terms and contracts before beginning any work with a freelancer. This will help avoid any misunderstandings or issues down the line.
Bottom Line:
An important aspect of working with freelancers is trust. Since you may not be able to monitor their work as closely as you would with an in-house employee, it’s important to establish trust from the beginning. This means setting clear expectations, providing feedback, and trusting that your freelancer will deliver quality work on time. Hiring remote freelancers can be a great way to bring in specialized talent to your business. However, it’s important to establish clear communication channels, set clear expectations, provide necessary resources and tools, and integrate your freelancer into the team. With these tipsin mind, you can on board, set up, and integrate new freelancers with ease and set them up for success. It’s important to remember that freelancers often work with multiple clients and may have different working styles, so clear communication and setting expectations will be key to a successful working relationship.
