How to Build a Rock Star Freelance Team: 12 Essential Steps

Sadly, my team and I have taken over a lot of projects for clients that have been left with the aftermath of hiring the wrong freelance talent.? It’s a nightmare for our clients, who often come to us with a fractured ability to trust, a huge chunk of lost money, and time wasted completing their projects. It’s disheartening for us, but also a big opportunity to show them what it’s like to work with someone who has built a rockstar team.

As a leader scaling your business, one of the most important moves you’ll make is building a freelance team that can support your growth. You want a team that not only understands your vision but also brings complementary skills, energy, and dedication. Hiring and keeping the right freelance talent requires strategic planning, a clear understanding of your business needs, and the ability to cultivate a thriving company culture.?

Here are 12 essential steps that will help you build a rock star freelance team.

Step 1: Establish a Company Culture with a Strong Mission, Vision, and Core Values

Before you begin hiring freelancers, it’s critical to define your company culture. Your company culture isn’t just about how you interact with clients—it’s the DNA of your business. It stems from your mission (why you do what you do), your vision (where you want your business to go), and your core values (the principles that guide your decisions).

When your company culture is clearly defined, you can hire freelancers who align with it, ensuring they resonate with your values and work style. For example, if collaboration and growth are core values, freelancers who are team-oriented and eager to develop their skills will be the best fit for your business.

Step 2: Be Crystal Clear About Your Own Zone of Genius as the Leader

As a business leader, you need to be self-aware and clear about your strengths, which are often referred to as your "zone of genius." This is the work that you excel at and enjoy most. It’s also the work that directly impacts the growth and success of your business.

When you're aware of your strengths, it becomes easier to delegate tasks that fall outside your zone of genius. Your freelance team will take on those tasks, allowing you to focus on strategic decision-making and visionary leadership. Being clear about your own role will also help you hire individuals who complement your skills, filling the gaps in your business.

Step 3: Identify the Areas in Your Business That You Are Not Good at or Absolutely Hate

Building a freelance team begins by admitting there are areas of your business that you either aren’t good at or simply dislike. Maybe you dread bookkeeping, struggle with social media management, or find content creation time-consuming. These areas can zap your energy and productivity.

Make a list of tasks you don’t enjoy or aren’t skilled at. Once you know these areas, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the specific types of freelancers you need to hire. By filling these roles with experts, you free up time to focus on the work you love.

Step 4: Determine the Gaps in Your Business Where You Need Help

Beyond tasks you don’t enjoy, it’s important to identify the gaps in your business. This includes areas where you lack expertise, knowledge, or bandwidth. Do you need someone to handle customer service inquiries, manage project timelines, or develop marketing strategies?

Although it might be tempting to do things yourself, the key is to be honest about the areas where your business could benefit from additional support. Once these gaps are identified, you can determine which roles are essential to hire first and which skills will be most valuable to your team.

Step 5: Craft a Compelling Job Description and Job Ad to Attract the Right Candidates

Once you know what roles need to be filled, the next step is to craft a job description and job ad that will attract the right candidates. A compelling job description clearly outlines the responsibilities of the role, the necessary qualifications, and what success looks like in that position.

Your job ad should not only detail the role but also reflect your company culture and mission. Highlight what makes your business unique and why freelancers would want to work with you. Freelancers often have multiple options, so be sure to communicate the value of joining your team and how working with you will help them grow professionally.

Step 6: Network in the Right Communities and with the Right People to Find the Right Team Members

Finding talented freelancers is often about being in the right places. Instead of relying solely on job boards, tap into relevant communities, industry-specific forums, and networking groups where freelancers hang out. Attend virtual events, engage on LinkedIn, and join communities where you can connect with freelancers who have the skills you need.

Word of mouth can be incredibly powerful, so don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations from colleagues, mentors, or other professionals in your network. Building relationships in these communities can lead to connections with freelancers who align with your business values and goals.

Step 7: Screen and Interview Candidates Based on Experience, Soft Skills, and Culture Fit

The hiring process isn’t just about finding freelancers with the right technical skills. It’s equally important to evaluate soft skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. These are the qualities that often determine whether someone will thrive as part of your freelance team.

During interviews, ask about their experience, how they handle feedback, and how they solve problems. Also, make sure to assess how well they align with your company’s core values. Culture fit, personality and working style is crucial because you want team members who will work well with you and others, even in a freelance capacity.

Step 8: Properly Onboard and Train New People

Onboarding freelancers is just as important as hiring them. A solid onboarding process ensures that freelancers are set up for success from day one. Provide clear instructions, introduce them to any tools or systems they’ll need, and give them access to resources that will help them understand your business and clients.

Training is essential, even for experienced freelancers. They need to understand your expectations, workflows, and standards. Provide them with clear, documented processes and procedures. By offering thorough onboarding and training, you ensure that freelancers can hit the ground running and deliver high-quality work right from the start.

Step 9: Develop and Stretch Your Team with Exciting and Growth-Oriented Projects

A rock star freelance team is one that’s motivated and eager to grow. One way to keep your freelancers engaged and invested in your business is by offering them opportunities to develop new skills and work on exciting projects. Assign projects that push their abilities and encourage them to think creatively. Challenge and trust them to solve problems.

By investing in your freelancers’ growth, you create a team that’s not only more capable but also more loyal. Freelancers appreciate opportunities to expand their skills and take on meaningful work that challenges them. A bored and underchallenged freelancer will eventually find a more exciting company to work for.

Step 10: Treat Your Team Like Gold Using Strong Communication, Praise, Respect, and a Personal Relationship

Freelancers often have multiple clients, but they’ll prioritize the ones who treat them with respect and appreciation. Build strong relationships with your freelancers by communicating clearly and frequently. Be sure to give them regular feedback, both positive and constructive, and express your appreciation for their work.

Freelancers want to feel valued, just like any full-time employee. Don’t ever underestimate the power of building a personal relationship with them. Ask them how they’re doing, take interest in their personal life and understand they are human beings first, freelancers second. When you treat your freelance team like gold, with genuine praise and respect, they’ll be more likely to stay committed to your business and go the extra mile in their work.

Step 11: Make Your Company a Culture That People Love to Work for So They Stay

Retention is key to maintaining a high-performing freelance team. When you create a company culture that people love to work for, they’ll want to stay. This means providing flexibility, offering competitive pay, and fostering an environment where freelancers feel supported and included. And don’t forget to include the fun factor.

When freelancers are happy and fulfilled in their work, they’re more likely to stick around long-term. This continuity benefits your business by reducing turnover and ensuring that you have a reliable team to help you grow.

Step 12: Commit to Self-Leadership

Finally, to build a rock star freelance team, you must continually commit to self-leadership. As the leader, your mindset, habits, and behavior set the tone for your team. Self-leadership means holding yourself accountable, managing your own time and priorities effectively, and continuously growing as a leader.

When you lead by example, demonstrating discipline, emotional intelligence, and integrity, your freelance team will follow suit. By committing to self-leadership, you create an environment of trust and respect, where freelancers feel empowered to take ownership of their work and contribute to the bigger picture.

Conclusion: Building a Team That Will Help Your Business Thrive

Building a rock star freelance team isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. It requires careful planning, thoughtful hiring, and ongoing effort to nurture your team members. By establishing a strong company culture, being clear about your needs, committing to self-leadership, and treating your freelancers with respect and appreciation, you can create a team that helps your business thrive. Remember, the freelancers you hire should not only have the skills but also align with your mission and values, so you can work together toward long-term success.

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