By: Fiona White  is a freelance journalist based in Waterford.

How to Hire a Freelancer

If you are contemplating hiring a freelancer for the first time here are some useful tips to help you to do your research and prepare; to make sure you get the right fit.

If you are not sure what you are looking for then you cannot expect the freelancer who knows a lot less about your business to know what you want.  Ensure you have a clear idea about what you want before contacting a freelancer.

How much the freelancer will need to know about your business will depend on the type of service you are looking for. If you are looking for a freelancer to create a radio advertisement for you or for a logo to be created for your company then you could hire a creative freelancer who can help generate ideas and work with you to find the right fit. They will need you to provide the relevant information about your company and they will provide the expertise necessary for the job.

For all freelance jobs prepare a brief; a document explaining what you expect from the freelancer. Keep it short and concise. Carry out research online and contact freelancers to see if what you need is available, research cost also. The brief can sometimes include a timeline and fee if necessary; although bear in mind that these may change if the original brief changes.

Do not accept the first quote you are given. Shop around and get several quotes to find who is most competitive, and who is most suited to the task at hand.

When contacting a freelancer, ask for further information on their services. Find out about their previous experience and ask for samples of their work. Check online to find out if they have a website, this is always a good place to start when looking for samples of work. Ask for references if you feel it is necessary, if the freelancer wants to get the job he/she will not have a problem providing these.

At the initial contact stage you need to speak to the freelancer about their working facilities for example; do they work from home, do they have their own premises or do they need you to provide a workstation for them at your premises. You should also ask questions regarding any additional costs that may come up and agree how this should be dealt with during the course of the project.

Researching cost is important when deciding on a budget for the project. After researching you may need to review your budget depending on what you find; perhaps the standard you require for the job would cause you to go over budget or maybe you can afford to add some extra’s to the project.

Agree a budget with the freelancer at the start of the project if possible; it is their area of expertise so they should be able to provide a comprehensive quote. Be aware also that this quote will include only the work that has been agreed, if you request extra work to be completed as part of the project there may be extra charges; this is why it is best to have a clear idea of what you are looking for from the start.  Be open to new ideas and give freelancers a chance, it might be the best money you’ll ever spend.

About the Author

Fiona White  is a freelance journalist based in Waterford Specialising in all aspects of radio production and print services. She has worked at Today FM, 98FM and has written for online and print publications.