By Eric Kelly
Photo: Pixabay
5 Things You Need To Know About Hiring Freelancers
If you run a small business, especially if you are the only full-time employee, you likely know the importance of finding good help. Hiring freelancers can be one of the best ways to expand your capacity without sinking your budget. However, finding the right freelancers isn’t as simple as putting out an ad. The following are five things Jobbinghood wants you to know about the process.
1. The Law Can Be Complicated
Hiring freelancers is a normal part of running a business. However, there are laws in place to prevent business owners from using freelancing to avoid the costs associated with W-2 employees. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rules regarding who can be classified as an independent contractor. Keep in mind that there may be additional rules set forth by your state and local governments.
If you are at all uncertain about hiring freelancers, consider speaking with a lawyer. An attorney fee now will likely be much less expensive than fines or lawsuits down the road.
2. There Are Many Places To Find Freelancers
On a more positive note, there are lots of places to find freelancers to help you out. One of the best options is to ask around in your network. If you know other business owners, they likely have recommendations.
Additionally, there are numerous job boards, including Jobbinghood, for freelance workers. These can help you tap into freelancers from around the world. You can also find local workers if you are looking for on-site help.
3. You’ll Need To Fine-Tune Your Interviewing and Selection Skills
Learning how to interview is an essential part of hiring freelancers. Depending on the type of work you are looking for, this can be a little different from hiring an employee. Start with short interviews to hire a few freelancers for very short-term tasks initially. This helps you to fine-tune your selection process. For example, you can hire someone to work on your logo rather than your full website.
4. It’s Worth It To Be Picky
When you are hiring freelancers, it is OK to be picky. With so many workers out there, the quality of work can vary significantly. Surveys show that almost half of freelancers out there are offering skilled professional services, but you need to know you’ve found the right professional for the job. Check out work samples, reviews and other details.
While you don’t want to take too long to make a decision, it pays to invest time in learning about your potential workers. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and conduct interviews, even when hiring from job pools that are all online.
5. Correct Payment Practices Are Crucial
Finally, you need to make sure you have your payment practices organized. Fortunately, hiring freelancers is relatively simple from the payroll perspective. You are essentially just paying an invoice to another business. However, it is important to do things right to avoid any legal issues.
You can choose an online payment system or send a check. Additionally, some payroll services have built-in features for paying freelancers. Ones like QuickBooks allow you to set up automated payments to both employees and the government, so you don’t have to worry about being late on a payday or tax deadline.
Working with freelancers can be a great way to expand your business’s capacity without having to hire full-time employees. However, it is important to do things right. The laws covering freelance workers are trickier than you may expect. Fortunately, if you follow the above tips and make sure to understand your obligations, you should be on the path to success.