Top tips for working with freelancers from Just Content

As a team, we here at Just Content know better than most that freelancers make up the backbone of the publishing industry. Many of us have worked on a freelance basis in the past, so we know the highs and lows of being self-employed too. Whether it’s project management, editorial and proofreading, product development or service delivery, we work with freelancers from a wide range of backgrounds who support our team and our clients every day to deliver excellence.?

That’s why we’re celebrating National Freelancers Day 2024 organised by IPSE today, and saying a huge “thank you” to all of the freelancers who help keep the publishing machine moving with their tireless work and expertise, and especially those we work with here at Just Content.?

If you’re thinking about bringing independent contractors into your business to support your projects, goals and development, read on to learn our top tips for working with freelancers, covering everything from finding the right freelancer to managing deadlines and scoping out work.?

Be prepared

As soon as you know you’ll need to take your project out-of-house, put together a comprehensive briefing document outlining the scope of the work. Be as clear as you can on the brief, and consider using a contract or Statement of Work (SOW), with timings and deliverables outlined. It may be worth agreeing a project fee rather than a time-based fee if the scope is fixed: it’s less ambiguous for all.

Contracts are important: they protect both you and your business, and the freelancer, to ensure that there is no scope creep and that any issues can be resolved swiftly. Learn more about how to write a freelancer contract.?

Ready the materials the freelancer will require up-front, rather than engaging them first then gathering things together later on, so that they can see the full scope of the brief before agreeing to the job, and can also ask specific questions to get it started, and hit the ground running once they’ve signed.

Communicate?

Transparency, trust and communication are key to a successful working relationship with freelancers. Agree reporting and meetings required as soon as you bring a new freelancer on board, and be clear about the expectations of the project and deadlines - including the 'true' deadline vs. the deadline that has some buffer time built in!

Play to strengths

We recommend building up a bank of trusted freelancers to work with, which you can refer to when you find yourself in need of support on a particular project. Keep a note of individuals’ skills and expertise - play to those strengths and use them accordingly, and the project should be a positive experience.

Take steps to assess whether a freelancer can flex to take on something slightly beyond their expertise. If they show flexibility and have a strong methodology, and you can trust them to get back to you with any queries, giving someone the opportunity to grow and develop in collaboration with your business will set you up for a successful and long-standing working relationship.

Make yourself available

Be available to answer questions? swiftly and, for longer projects, schedule in a regular catch up so that the freelancer knows that there is space available for questions, and that you will be happy to answer them. This will reduce project delays and streamline your workflows, and ensure that all-important lines of communication are kept open.

Prioritise providing the assets, accounts access, briefs and other information the freelancer needs to do the job, and respond to their queries as quickly as possible so you don't hold them up, risking incurring additional costs.

Pay on time

This is the most important point on our list. If freelancers know that you don’t pay on time, they’ll be less inclined to work with you again. It’s imperative that you, as the person contracting out the work, take responsibility for making sure your freelancers are paid on time.?

Even if you work in a large organisation, don’t leave the invoice any longer than needed to submit to your finance team. If your company requires additional security and insurance checks, make sure they’re done ahead of time, and not at the point that you’re processing the invoice.?

The bottom line? Self-employed workers rely on punctual payments and deserve to be paid on time for their labour.

In conclusion

Working with passionate, talented and motivated freelancers is the best part of the job, and we are pleased to be a company that freelancers enjoy working with and recommend to others. Head to the Just Content LinkedIn page to meet some of our freelancer stars, and let us know your own top tips for working with freelancers!?

We’re always looking to work with publishing experts on a freelance basis. If you’re a freelancer interested in working with us, please do get in touch. We would love to hear from you.?