How to be successful managing a team of freelancers? In recent times, the rise of the flexible workforce has altered our traditional attitude toward employment. Small businesses, mid-sized companies, and large corporations now all engage and employ freelancers to reduce the costs of recruiting full-time staff, filling a gap in a company project, or just outsourcing some of their tasks to deal with an unexpected increase in market demand.
However, it’s a little more difficult to help freelance contractors grasp what the business wants than simply providing them a brief and expecting them to know what you want. Your project objectives may differ dramatically from what your freelancer is informed of.
For that reason, if you manage a bigger team of freelancers, it might be smart on behalf of your company to acquire and put work into a professional freelance management system that will help you and your online contractors to get work done more easily, and organize your freelance network in a much better manner overall.
In addition, let’s look at some tips on how to help you manage your remote team of freelancers more effectively.
Master the Art of Communicating
As a leader, you must be able to convey your ideas to your team in a clear, open, and compelling manner, while also paying attention to and listening to their comments and feedback. You must be very explicit in terms of job responsibilities and task requirements, especially when working with a team of freelancers, without forgetting their participation. They are, after all, recruited for their skill as well as their service.
To do that, you should schedule regular video or audio sessions to go through further specifics and provide context for the project. This will benefit both the team and the project’s success. It will also help you build a stronger bond with your team while doing remote work, by allowing them to get to know you as a real person, not simply the virtual identity behind an email or a Slack post.
Consider Keeping Track of the Time
For hourly employment or positions where you need to invoice precise time to individual clients or projects, time tracking is crucial. Coaching your freelance workforce on how to better track their time is also a crucial component of managing freelancers.
However, for instance, if you’re paying someone hourly to make sales calls and having a tool that records the calls may create an unpleasant relationship because it shows a lack of trust. Screen capture, on the other hand, is usually ideal for hourly data entering chores, as freelancers should be regarded as professionals and should show respect for you and your business.
If you are managing freelancers and independent contractors overseas, check out Remote’s expert guide on how to pay international contractors.
Reward Those Who Deserve It and Empower Them
Because freelancers are a self-contained group, it’s critical to empower them and delegate assignments based on each person’s experience and the nature of the projects they’re working on. Furthermore, thanking freelancers for their work will undoubtedly keep them motivated for the next time you collaborate on a project with them.
Another option to reward your freelancers is to give them LinkedIn recommendations for their work. If they prove to be trustworthy and hardworking, there’s no reason not to assist them in finding other jobs in the future. If they enjoyed working with you, they are likely to offer you and your firm a positive rating.
Let Them Take Part in the Glory
Always keep your staff up to date on project milestones and successes. Make sure to express your gratitude for their involvement in the ultimate successful outcome. This will motivate them to work harder to give their all to the project they’re working on and make them feel more connected to their workplace.
Showing your contractors that the project’s success was a collaborative effort and that you respect their input is what determines whether or not they want to work with you on future projects. Earning the trust and respect of your team is a continuous activity that has an impact on overall performance and final production. So, until the very end, make sure to treat your teammates fairly.
Make Them Feel Included in Team Building
When freelance and in-house remote workers feel like they’re part of your team or company, they perform better. For that reason, it’s advised to include them in any activities designed to strengthen the team and foster friendship.
Extend connection beyond the project by inviting freelancers to meetings where you may catch up with them. Inquire about their day and their interests. Allow them to collaborate with your team on team-building exercises or virtual trust-building celebrations. In other words, work to make freelancers feel welcome.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you will now be able to make the most of your freelancers, without burning out or losing your mind in the process. Managing a team of freelancers can be a frustrating and thankless task, but it doesn’t have to be that way. By following these steps, you can make your freelance workforce work for you and start seeing better results.
