How can you build strong relationships with your freelancers?

I work exclusively with freelancers and have built strong partnerships with all of them. The key is to respect them as autonomous humans who enhance your business rather than a commitment free and dispensable service that is here to serve you. Create an environment where you are partners but each knows what their roles and boundaries are. Don’t ask for special favors or push for a lower price. Do the upfront work of researching their work and reputation. Have a candid and direct interview about what you’re looking for and encourage them to do the same to determine if you will be good partners. Respect their schedules and business processes and pay them promptly. When you are happy, don’t keep shopping for someone cheaper.

I co-own a Virtual Assistant agency that I founded with one of my freelancers. How? I learned what their goals and objectives were and found a way to help them work towards that direction in their work with me. Now, he benefits and he is a benefit to other professionals in his network with a variety of specialities. Zig Ziglar said "Help others get what they want, and you will always get what you want". It's true. Second, Valuing people as people is paramount in any relationship, freelancer or otherwise. Speak regularly while working on a project and check in when you are not. Lastly, set clear goals and expectations. Don't assume they know what to do. Put it in writing if needed so it can referred to later. Proper Communication = Clarity.

Communicate clearly and openly with your freelancers, establishing a communication channel that suits both parties. Make it easy for two-way communication and leverage technology to help simplify things. Good communication can also help provide clear instructions and feedback to ensure that freelancers understand your expectations and can deliver accordingly.

In the field of selling insurance, communication is key on 3 levels; listening, body language observation and speaking to educate and not speaking to sell. Addressing the fine print and asking questions communicates to the other person caring, attention and concern. Allowing the other person equal opportunity to communicate their piece is extremely important.

I think it’s extremely important to build strong relationships with all of your team and freelancers are also a part of your team. I think clear communications and check points are key as well always acknowledgement of their success with your projects.

Respect the needs of your freelancers and demonstrate a genuine commitment to their success, which can help cultivate lasting partnerships. Setting up clear ways of working together from the beginning will aide in a successful project.

Diante da demanda crescente, o freelancer tem que ser engajado e inserido na cultura da empresa, dando a ele todos os acessos que permitam o desenvolvimento de seu trabalho, seja ele em HO ou no escritório. O ambiente e cultura da empresa deve ser inserido como uma rotina normal para qualquer tipo de colaborador, independente da forma de contrata??o, cobran?a de entrega, dead-lines, treinamentos de capacita??o, participa??o nos eventos da empresa, etc.

When it comes to hiring freelancers, we don't like to push them to do things faster than they can because most of them are creative people. When it comes to creativity, you need time; you can't force things. We prefer to give them extra time just to ensure they deliver top quality.

Understanding the distinction between freelancers and employees is crucial. Freelancers operate independently, bringing unique workflows and schedules. Respecting their autonomy is paramount—grant flexibility in methods, tools, and schedules, adhering to your standards. Avoid micromanagement, trust their expertise, and refrain from unnecessary interference. Acknowledge boundaries and availability, refraining from expecting overtime or immediate responses. This approach fosters a collaborative, respectful environment, enhancing the productivity and satisfaction of both parties in the working relationship.

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Fair and timely payment is the cornerstone of a successful freelancer-client relationship. Agree upon a rate that respects their skills and experience, adhering to contractual terms. Avoid negotiating down or delaying payments, as this harms your reputation and rapport. Prioritize prompt, accurate, and secure payments, considering incentives for exceptional work. Demonstrating respect for their contributions cultivates a positive relationship, fostering a collaborative and enduring partnership that benefits both parties.

One of the ways a business can be 'fair' to the freelancers is by being transparent about how their remuneration would be calculated even before the professional relationship with the freelancer begins. This can be achieved by running standardized 'Partner Programs' with defined partner benefits and transparent remuneration formulas. Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) runs one of the world's largest agent partner programs, that has stood the test of time. LIC has been able to remain a market leader in life insurance industry in India even without being too aggressive on other distribution channels like Bancassurance. Thousands of LIC agents support their families financially, as they can predict their remunerations - truly win-win.

Because we pay fairly and on time, top performers show interest in our new projects, seeing that we consistently provide timely and hassle-free payments.

I lost a really good freelancer to a higher bidder. If you are good, I am going to pay whatever it takes to keep you (as long as a I can afford it) :)

Know that when you are dealing with freelancers you are dealing with individuals who rely on prompt payment and value their time and services. Freelancers many times will work harder and put in more hours than any corporate employee because they truly believe in their worth and what they bring to you, the client.

We support our freelancers by offering training if they request it, and we recommend them to our networks once they prove to be top performers. Because of this, we have freelancers who have been working with us for multiple years, taking on projects as they become available.

Use the "Law of Reciprocity" and help your freelancers find more gigs. Every time I promoted a freelancer - without asking for anything in return - they always gave me their best work as thanks. - They also gave me referrals! WHY IT MATTERS: Our relationship grew stronger because we used action to show we supported each other's business goals.

Supporting freelancers goes beyond compensation. Provide them with essential resources, like information, tools, or training, ensuring they can work effectively. Offer feedback and mentorship to enhance their skills and portfolio, showing genuine interest in their success. This thoughtful approach fosters loyalty and trust, creating a positive working dynamic that benefits both parties in the long run.

What most don't realize is in the corporate sector you have annual reviews where you discuss your strengths and how to improve your weaknesses. Freelancers many times will be harder on themselves than any boss could ever be and have no real way of knowing their personal or professional progress. I believe the more you can support and realize how hard freelancers truly work, the better your communications will be. Don't ever assume that freelancers simply work less hours and don't care about the projects put in front of them. They work harder than anybody I know. When you realize this, is when you truly support their efforts and talents.

Integrating freelancers into your team goes beyond project collaboration. Actively involve them in your culture, inviting them to meetings, events, and sharing your vision. Solicit their input, acknowledge their contributions, and create a collaborative environment. This inclusive approach not only enhances teamwork but also contributes to a positive and productive work atmosphere, benefiting both parties involved.

Build an atmosphere of feeling safe. Safe to step out of the rut. Safe to be transparent. Safe to make a mistake and recognize the biggest decision you'd ever make in your life is what you do after you make a mistake.

Also respect the wishes of freelancers who don't want this. Many freelancers have multiple clients and simply don't have the time or emotional/social energy for this kind of involvement. It's about respect for the individual which is generally a good principle with anyone who works with or for you.

I believe you communicate up front your company vision, culture, and team members allowing your freelancers to become an integral part of your team. Keeping in mind that time is money and not every decision needs to be a 1 - 2 hour meeting. Freelancers manage their time better than anyone I know and can many times get more done in less time. Understanding this fact as a team is also crucial for the success of any project.

One thing I've found helpful is involving freelancers in our company Slack conversations and having regular team meetings where we welcome feedback on how we can meet goals and drive growth as a team, even though not everyone is an employee. It's all still built on relationships. We do what we can to foster healthy communication and a sense of camaraderie.

I have a friend who always took out time to send a comprehensive thank you email to her freelancers. The email wasn't just a formality; it was a genuine expression of gratitude that turned one-off transactions into long-lasting relationships.

Additional, be responsive, assertive but not aggressive, and avoid giving false hope to maintain a positive working environment. Working in partnership is key. It is important to understand the value of the gig economy and the benefits it brings to both small and large businesses. By following these steps, you can foster strong and mutually beneficial relationships with your freelancers, leading to improved performance and overall success for your business.

In my experience, working with freelancers in my industry means I need to welcome their ideas and let them own projects. The freedom I give them I get back in the form of their dedication and them feeling empowered by having creative freedom.

I’ve been on both sides - both as a freelancer and as a client. I can say that timelines and communication in between the contract and the deliverable are key. Allowing for conversations and revision as needed to make sure everyone is both on the same page and to allow for creativity and collaboration.

Having both been a freelancer and hired them from time to time, I’d suggest considering what would you do if this wasn’t one-time transaction. In other words how would you behave if you were going to work with each other for 3 weeks? 3 months? What about 3 YEARS.. and beyond? I’ve worked with folks who were so focused on “winning” short term gains - a dollar shaved here, a concession there.. that they lost sight of the relationship aspect to working together. No trust is built, and as soon as either party could get out, they were *gone* in less time than cashing that check.