Get More Done With Freelancers

Introduction

Today’s business environment is increasingly dynamic, necessitating access to a variety of skills and services on demand. This is where freelance platforms like Upwork come into play. Upwork is a global freelancing platform where businesses and independent professionals connect and collaborate on various projects.

As a business owner, hiring freelancers can provide you with the ability to scale your team up or down depending on your current needs, access to a global talent pool, and cost savings due to not needing to provide traditional employee benefits.

Let’s explore how to hire freelancers on Upwork, to help you get more done!

Creating Your Account

Start by creating your account. Visit www.upwork.com and click on “Sign Up” at the top right corner.

• Provide your email address and click “Get Started.”
• Complete the form with your details, choose a password, and click “Next.”
• Choose “I want to Hire” when asked, “What are you here for?”
• Click on “Next” to finish creating your account.

Navigating the Upwork Platform

Once your account is set up, familiarize yourself with the platform. The search bar is at the top, where you can type in specific services you’re looking for. You can also browse by category if you’re not sure exactly what you need.

Posting a Job

To find freelancers, you post a job, and freelancers will apply.

• Click “Post a Job.”
• Fill in the job title, description, and skills needed. Be as detailed as possible. For example, if you need a logo designed, specify the style you like, colors you want to use, and any other specific details.
• Set your budget (fixed or hourly), estimated project duration, and the desired experience level of freelancers.
• Post the job.

Reviewing Proposals

Freelancers who are interested in your job will submit proposals. This will include their price, a cover letter, and sometimes answers to any screening questions you included in your job post.

• Review the freelancer’s profile, portfolio, and reviews from past clients. Consider their job success score, which is a measure of their track record of client satisfaction.
• Shortlist the freelancers you are interested in by inviting them to an interview.

Interviewing Freelancers

Upwork provides a built-in chat feature for interviewing shortlisted candidates. Use this to discuss the project in more detail, gauge their understanding, and assess their communication skills.

Hiring a Freelancer

After the interviews, you can hire your chosen freelancer.

• Click on “Hire” next to the freelancer’s proposal.
• Set the payment terms. For fixed-price jobs, set milestones and fund the first milestone. For hourly jobs, review the freelancer’s hourly rate and weekly limit.
• Click on “Hire.”

Managing the Project

Once you’ve hired a freelancer, you can manage the project through the Workroom.

• Communicate with the freelancer, send files, and track progress here.
• For fixed-price jobs, release payments upon completion of each milestone.
• For hourly jobs, review and approve the freelancer’s Work Diary, which logs their hours worked.

Ending the Contract

Once the job is completed to your satisfaction, you can end the contract.

• Go to the contract in the Workroom and click on “End Contract.”
• Provide feedback and rate your experience with the freelancer. This is important for the Upwork community and helps the freelancer’s reputation.

Resolving Issues

If there are any issues, try to resolve them directly with the freelancer first. If you can’t reach a resolution, Upwork’s Dispute Resolution service is available.

Conclusion

Upwork is a versatile platform that provides access to a wide range of freelance talent. As an entrepreneur, it can be an invaluable tool for scaling your business operations up or down as needed. Effective communication and clear project instructions are key to a successful outcome. Happy hiring!

Questions

Have any questions about hiring freelancers? Just email us at info@opstart.ca and we’d be happy to help!