5 Tips to Manage Freelancers Successfully

More and more in-house teams are relying on collaboration with freelancers. The advantages are easy to list: real expertise in the respective field, cost requirements that match the order volume and simply more flexibility in planning and implementing large projects.   

However, working with external experts also requires a lot of preparation to ensure truly efficient and successful collaboration.   

In this article, we share 5 tips on how to manage freelancers successfully. Regardless of whether the collaboration is just starting or has been running for some time and needs to be optimized. 

Introduction to managing freelancers with awork

Let’s be honest: good communication is crucial when it comes to working with freelancers. From the first kick-off to feedback rounds to the final handover of the result.  

And we know: that can take a lot of time.   

That’s why we want to show you how awork, a work management tool, bundles these coordination processes in one place and saves a lot of time and nerves when working together.

What’s awork?

awork is more than just a project database: It’s the work management tool for project teams that plan efficiently and work together happily. 

awork offers everything you need to make planning really work: 

• Brings together all planning-relevant information and people. Really all of them 🤞
• Covers the entire spectrum of planning scopes. Like a crystal ball. 🔮
• Is the central organization tool for the whole team. Everyone participates without chasing. 😮‍💨
• Freelancers can be added to your own workspace free of charge. And are thus truly part of the team. 🤝

If you’re diving into the world of managing freelancers, awork can be your go-to tool for keeping everything on track. It’s all about making your life easier while ensuring your projects run smoothly. Here are some practical tips to get you started:

1. Offer a relevant onboarding and briefing: The start of a collaboration is crucial. Therefore, use this to jointly define the targets, requirements and joint approach.
2. Keep communication organized: Use awork’s communication features to keep all your chats and updates in one place. This way, nothing gets lost in the shuffle.
3. Set clear deadlines: Always define when tasks need to be completed. Clear deadlines help everyone stay on the same page.
4. Use task tracking: Monitor progress by using awork’s task tracking features. This allows you to see who’s doing what and how far along they are.
5. Collaborate effectively: Invest in long-term collaborations to increase efficiency and get better results.

Managing freelancers doesn’t have to be a headache. With awork, you’ve got all the tools you need to succeed!

Onboarding and briefings for new freelancers

Getting new freelancers on board smoothly is key. Start by giving them a comprehensive briefing. Make sure to share all essential project details, like goals, timelines and any specific requirements.  

The more detailed the initial coordination is, the better the project itself will run. Because questions are clarified in advance and not in between. And don’t worry: this does not mean that agility is restricted, but the more specific the task is, the better the result. 

In awork, the briefing can be integrated directly within a project or task – depending on how extensive the assignment is. By integrating it everyone has access to the shared briefing and nothing is hidden in emails or on a piece of paper. 

Setting clear deadlines for freelancers

Setting clear deadlines is super important when working with freelancers. First, get specific about the project timeline. Break it down into manageable chunks and set deadlines for each task. This helps freelancers know what to focus on and when. Using awork’s project management tools, you can easily assign tasks with specific due dates. This not only keeps things organized but also helps avoid any last-minute rushes. Remember to communicate these deadlines clearly and make sure freelancers understand what’s expected.

Keep communication organized within the software

Keeping communication organized within the project management tool is a game-changer. This way, all relevant information stays in one place, making it easy for everyone to find what they need.

Encourage freelancers to use comments in awork for questions or updates instead of separate emails or messages to keep everything centralized. In addition, people from the team can be specifically tagged so that they can react promptly.   

The easy comment-section on awork’s task and projects make it easy to implement in the workflow. Nevertheless it’s helpful to set clear communication guidelines, like response times and tagged people, to keep everything seamless.  

Also, schedule regular check-ins, to ensure everyone’s on the same page. This helps to catch potential issues early and keeps the project moving smoothly. 

Utilize task tracking features effectively

The more extensive a project and the more tasks that need to be organized, the more reliable the planning must be.   

Start by breaking your project down into individual tasks and assign these to the respective freelancers. By integrating dependencies and deadlines, a clear project plan will emerge automatically.   

When freelancers work on the tasks, they assign them different statuses – “In Progress”, “Feedback Required”, “Done”. Thereby you always have an overview of the progress of the project without having to make specific inquiries.   

The statuses and timelines make any delays quickly visible so that you can intervene and reschedule in good time.   

Depending on your own needs, you will find a clear project flow between you and the freelancers, which is super quick to learn, because using awork is simply intuitive.

Collaborating efficiently with freelancers

Freelancers are often hired on a project basis. However, it’s worth investing in a long-term collaboration. Because the more often you work together on projects, the less coordination and onboarding is required.   

So instead of looking for a new person for every project, try to build up a strong network of freelancers with different skills.  

This can lead to great collaborations and your freelancers will also learn to work together better and better. 

Bonus-tip: Providing feedback and updates regularly

Regular feedback and updates are key when managing freelancers. Make sure to schedule regular check-ins to discuss progress and any roadblocks. 

By providing timely feedback, you can ensure that freelancers stay on track and are aligned with your project goals. Plus, it makes them feel valued and part of the team. 

Conclusion and final tips for successful freelancer management

Wrapping things up, managing freelancers effectively with awork is all about efficiency, clarity and communication.  

Make sure to create an easy to follow project plan, set clear deadlines so everyone’s on the same page.  

Keeping communication organized is key—use awork’s comment-function to streamline messages and updates.  

Task tracking is your best friend; it helps you and your freelancers stay on top of everything.   Remember, a bit more power of planning and using the right tool can make a huge difference in your project’s success. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be managing freelancers like a pro!