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What do You Look for In A Freelancer? Free Gift If You Help!

by Brad Spencer
10 replies
Hey Warriors,

I'm writing a new ebook on how to hire a freelancer.

I have some ideas from my experience but I'd like some other people's opinions.

If you PM me with a tip, trick, or experience you've had with a freelancer...I'll send you a free gift and a surprise bonus!

Thanks for helping me out!

Cheers,

Brad Spencer
#free #freelancer #gift
  • Profile picture of the author LegitIncomes
    Originally Posted by Brad Spencer View Post

    Hey Warriors,

    I'm writing a new ebook on how to hire a freelancer.

    I have some ideas from my experience but I'd like some other people's opinions.

    If you PM me with a tip, trick, or experience you've had with a freelancer...I'll send you a free gift and a surprise bonus!

    Thanks for helping me out!

    Cheers,

    Brad Spencer
    Make sure they can write and speak your native language with ease.
    Only hire someone who has a track record of at least 6 months, and is active (at least 4 projects a month)
    Make sure their feedback rating is at or near the top tier.
    Make sure your project, and the project deadline is made very clear to the programmer.

    If you follow those simple steps you shouldn't have any problem 99% of the time.
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    • Profile picture of the author Richard Tunnah
      I agree with Josh. However I'll add 2 other hings I found useful. If for a large project reques references from previous work done. You get more detail than feedback. And the other useful thing to remember is use escrow if possible for payment until you are both comfortable working with each other.

      Rich
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      • Profile picture of the author balsimon
        Originally Posted by richt1971 View Post

        And the other useful thing to remember is use escrow if possible for payment until you are both comfortable working with each other.
        Hi Rich - a question: Having used escrow on a few projects, I certainly see it as a safe way to work with a contractor. When, or under what conditions do you stop it? And why?

        Thanks.

        Regards,
        Bal
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  • Profile picture of the author John Taylor
    Good freelancers are reliable, they deliver on their
    promises and they maintain regular communication
    with their clients.

    The same criteria should apply to clients when dealing
    with freelancers!

    Seriously, in my experience you get what you deserve.

    It's critically important to clearly communicate your needs
    and expectations; and, to provide the freelancer the tools,
    resources and information that they need to complete the
    task.

    I'd also suggest that cheapest isn't always best. Quality
    of work should always be given a higher weighting than
    cost when you choose a bid.


    John
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  • Profile picture of the author kf
    Try to find someone for your project through personal recommendations when possible, vs. using bid sites.

    Also, it's your project so consider yourself the project manager and do your job (depending on the size of project):
    - do a complete outline of what you require
    - where information can be found
    - timelines and delivery expectations for each date
    - build in extra time for delays and revisions
    - be realistic with your timeline
    - have a payment schedule based on delivery milestones

    Be as clear as possible, even to the point of stating the obvious.

    Don't do a big project with someone you've never worked with. Limit your risk and set them up to succeed by having them complete small projects first. Unless they are a known commodity with proven track record (ie: top in their field with references and rates to back it up.)

    Here's a handy thing to keep in mind when hiring others to do work for you.
    You can have excellent work, fast and cheap.
    But you can only pick two.
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    Give the writer enough information to prepare a quote for the work. When asked for a price on work it's often like pulling teeth to get the individual to be specific with what they want. For example, "I need about 10 pages of Web content dealing with Internet Marketing."

    Okay, what specific topic relating to IM? What are you trying to accomplish with the content?

    It's amazing how many people have so little knowledge of what they actually want. I often think people depend on writers to tell them what they should be doing. I can certainly do that or make suggestions but then I cross over from a writer to consultant. And of course, that's a whold different fee schedule.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Brian
    Here are some of the things I do when posting project for bids:

    - Only consider those with decent feedbacks

    - Don't always choose the cheapest bidder (quality vs price)

    - I set the project deadline at least 2 times more than my preferred deadline. The reality is most freelancers have more projects in their hands simultaneously and they will most likely not meet your desired deadline. So better give them enough breathing space so both of you will have higher chance of a successful project.

    - I ask them to write a "captcha" code that's written in my bid request to ensure they actually rid my project brief and don't just copy paste a canned bid response. (Ex: Please write 123 in your bid post to ensure you read my bid request.) You'll be surprised that a good number of bidders don't even read your entire post and just bid away.

    Hope that helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author primuskannan
    I would look through their portfolio thoroughly, even emailing their previous customers and ask for their experiences.

    I would expect my freelancer to get back to me if there are any doubts in my project and not to assume things.

    Above all communication is the most important parameter in which I would set stock over their number of feedback.

    Kulasekaran.
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  • Profile picture of the author jbsmith
    My list...

    1. Track record - look for experience, a good rating from past customers and samples of their work

    2. Depending on the size of the job - I want references. If it's under $200, I don't bother, but anything more serious and I require references

    3. If it's writing or content development, I like to have subject matter expertise and/or experience as well as the ability to write. I've had non-writer freelancers develop kick-butt content for me simply because they had personal experience in the area I was looking for

    4. Timeliness in their response. I always ask a few questions up-front to get a feel for how fast and well they answer my questions.

    Jeff
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