Maybe you’re a “freelo” ( Freelancer ) like me who decided to try to be free and happy , or perhaps you have your own project and you work with freelancers . Maybe you’re building a serious and consolidated team of remote working , and you need to know how to make things run smoothly, with people you do not know . Whatever the circumstance, managing people and tasks, is not easy. Even less, if those people are creative, independent, dreamers, who do not like fixed schedules, need to win silver and defend the time to have a life.
Just because I’m the freelancer that I just described, and because the blog of Postcron , thanks to each of you ( thank you ), is growing , it is that like you, I also need to learn to manage a team of collaborators.
To do my job, do not waste time or money, I researched a lot to learn everything you need to not take any surprises when working with people like me , or more complicated than I do .
A review super fast for some reasons that will convince you to build your team with freelancers:
a- You are not limited to local “talent” . Internet allows you to find the best talent, wherever it might be.
b- A same job in different cities, you can have different salaries , due to the regulations of labor agreements and labor policies in each state. For example, Silicon Valley is the “capital” of the geeks (I say this with love), where the best developers, engineers, and other talented geniuses. If you lived there, perhaps hire an engineer in the area, you could cost 10 times more, just for the fact that you are in Silicon Valley. Instead, the advantages of freelance work, allow to break these barriers. When you can negotiate salary, regardless of the “geography”. Today, services like Toptal allow you to find the best freelance talent in the world no matter where you are or where talent is located.
c- In recent times, there has been an accelerated process of micro specialization or “long tail specialization” of jobs. You can find specialized freelancers on things that do not even occur. For example, this chart oDesk , shows very well:
d- Usually freelancers have worked for different clients and industries , which can provide solutions or more enriched opinions, by their previous experiences.
e- The times are not a problem or limitation.
f- The operating costs and inputs, almost disappear .
g- The process of finding talent is less bureaucratic and complex than is traditionally done.
h- The appearance economic , with good negotiations, it can work for both parties.
i- The physical proximity does not ensure collaboration.
To start with the right foot tasks hire and work with freelancers (writers, designers, developers, etc), you need to understand, you’ll be hiring a person with a profile very similar to yours. You ‘ll have to work with someone who also thinks like you, who has chosen to be his own boss, be independent , and do what he likes. A freelancer is an entrepreneur in his own life . Somehow, it can be considered a “Solopreneur”.
Precisely for the above , it is that I found it extremely important to know what the profile of a Solopreneur , since in this tribe, there will be two chiefs . You have to be smart and know how to dance with the other person, without stepping foot on the other . This “dance” involves coordination and respect, because even if one party has the money to pay, the other has the capacity to perform the work.
Understand then, “our folly”: the general characteristics of the personality and / or attitudes of a freelancer / entrepreneur / Solopreneur:
Sure there are many more attitudes or characteristics that define us , but to some extent, these are the general level, we all share. While researching for this article, I got a book I could not read yet complete, but it seems very interesting to learn about the personality of an entrepreneur and certainly will help us understand more and better our collaborators: “Heart, Smarts, Guts, and Luck “(HSGL)
It is essential to first know exactly what you need it to be done : make a list of everything that this project will require. This point is key, as it will serve to organize the rest of the process , and you have an idea of how much money you have to invest the time it will take, knowledge or skills you will need to have the future collaborator, how much patience you will to have , etc.
In the specific case of a project involving freelance writers , you must not forget to also define the purpose of the articles and what role they will have in your strategy content marketing: you will use to generate community to position your product to generate awareness your brand, to make e-commerce, to inform, to retain customers? Be clear about this, will help a lot also define content strategy for your blog, newsletter, website, etc., and schedule content with topics, categories of issues that can not be missed as well, sources and references they will use to summon and investigate to create each item.
Another point (in the super detailed list that you have done everything, everything you need for this project) you should include is how many items per month or week you need, the quality of each , and their level: basic, intermediate or advanced .
How you want it done: you have to know what you want and how you want. This will help you search criteria, a freelancer who can do things the way you want them done. If you do not have this clear, you might find someone good, but you do not have your own style.
You need to research: looking for examples of work already undertaken and how they were executed. This will not only help you put together a definite idea of what you like and what you want your work looks like, but will also be useful for the freelancer, know what you aim.
In case you need to hire a freelance writer, collects articles and analyzes many words, style, tone, voice, structuring the article, sequencing and concepts, use of links, statistics, types of examples, etc. It is recommended to put together a guide you list all these aspects . Although it takes a long time, after all this, you can apply other future searches.
Times: before asking impossible for references to how long you can take that kind of projects you are about to perform. Analyze your calendar, and project. Consider the fact that if you find an excellent partner, most likely, is it a very busy person . A filter to hire someone, it is also this aspect. Although very prominent, if you can not meet your requirements, will not work. In other words: the availability of the writer must be in line with expectations point 1.
You also need to know your financial capacity.
Identifies the upper limit of money you can spend on this project so we can negotiate intelligently. Remember if you want something good, you’ll have to pay for excellence. The list of tasks you did at first, also will serve to arm the budget.
It is recommended for the case of hiring a freelance writer , who agreed in advance a fixed price for the first item , to check the “expertise” editor. Then you can review prices according to the forward or “expertise” demonstrated.
At this particular point, you need to advance thinking about what criteria you will use to determine price and / or the method of payment . What currency you will use, if the payment will be electronic, deposit, check, personally, or whatever, but leave it clear. Also, if you agree to give a percentage as an advance, and between what dates you fertilize.
Well, once you know the “what, how, when and how”, you must think of the logistics for teamwork. If a large group, do you have a platform that functions as an online office? Will you need to keep track of the different assignments? Perhaps the job requires a platform to manage tasks and projects. Do you have Skype, Gmail, Dropbox or Google Drive know how to drive? Does your laptop case has a camera and microphone? They are basic things, but believe it or not, it happens that some people do not consider these small details.
Some tools:
Skype and Google Hangouts : ideal for one on one conversations via conference calls or video, should not have a large team. You can chat, screen sharing, exchange documents, and invite others to participate in the talks.
Google Drive and Dropbox : allow you to create, store and share information in the cloud. All material will be available online from all your devices.
Campfire : is a tool for collaborative team communication. Features chats, “meeting”, blackboards, and dozens of other features that enhance communication and daily work among members of a team.
Basecamp : a tool for managing projects. It is one of the most important and used worldwide since from a simple project to a very complex, you can easily manage and control.
Evernote for business : it is both a platform to share information, store and teamwork.
Getflow : another tool for managing tasks, projects, have discussions and share information online.
And legal issues “extras”: note, if you do need some exclusive contract to the other person does not work with the competition, or the material made remain under ownership of your brand or name. They are details, but in the future can be a headache.
Already you have clear what you want and how you want. Now, before you head to the interview, you should not forget that besides the obvious basic skills and knowledge that a writer must have: grammar, syntax, semantics, writing, organizing concepts, proper use of voice, tone, etc. ., etc., etc., they are necessary skills that should have a freelancer, to work well beyond doing their job well . This will help you have a happier relationship with your partner:
Have completed each of the above steps will allow you to be well prepared to make an efficient interview , without forgetting the important points, and get all the answers you need to make the right decision.
Although portfolios or curriculums are very important, most valuable information, get from one to one conversation you have with the candidate. There are answers that will say much more the type of person and collaborator who can become the candidate beyond the “expertise” that claims to have a simple CV or summary of experience.
The questions are below and you can print this form -> here . They copy!
Well, you’ve had your first contact or interview with the candidate. Now think about these details listed below because in them you will find the answer to whether you should or not continue interviewing that person.
a- Do you connect with punctuality in the schedule stipulated for the interview ? Do you notify if “X” motif will be delayed a few minutes? (That would be a sign of delicacy and respect)
b- During the interview he expressed with language appropriate? Are the answers are clear and conform to the question?
c- In answering the application, or perhaps in his own letter: Do you have good spelling and grammar? ¿ Correctly use punctuation? ¿ Structure your presentation and clearly expresses his ideas in writing ?
d- Is detail – oriented ? To verify this, we at Postcron in the email we sent to applicants, worth say is very long, we included a point where we place a “keyword”, you should use the applicant in the “subject” of the email, to answer. If the person is not detailed, and read faster, or stop scans the text accordingly, we will check, if you do not put that detail in your answer.
Remember that when creating the ad to find your future partner, must take into account the above specifications toooooodas, and make clear all the points that are important to you.
Linkedin
Freelancer
Workana
Twago
oDesk
Nubelo
Elance
Fiverr
Guru
People per Hour
As was mentioned in the beginning, you have to be prepared to work with someone with a similar nature to yours . To run things efficiently and healthily, we must work as a team . That ‘s exactly why I want to share this video of the Spurs , because besides being excellent for me summarizes the basic values that a team need to be successful. Be a football team of entrepreneurs, freelancers, vendors, cooks, or whatever, to get good results, you need this that I show below: “The Beautiful Game: San Antonio Spurs”
We draw inspiration a bit:
Manage people, requires the same skills and basic practices, whether we do it in a virtual way or staff. What changes is the “style” or “format”.
In order to do well and successfully, it is necessary to take into account the following points:
Neglects the role of “boss” and learn to work together and consider your freelance, as a collaborator working to your couple. Your job is not to be a manager, but being a coach and mentor motivates, stimulates, encourages, trust.
When you have clear what you want, how you want to define, and thus can more accurately find what you are looking for .