Small Business Blog

This article is the second in a series about working with freelancers and independent contractors. Once you’ve made the decision to retain a freelancer, the next step is to find the right person. Try these five tips to help you find and select the right freelancer. 

Get referrals

Ask everyone you know for a referral to a qualified freelancer. Post a note about your search on your LinkedIn and Facebook accounts. Colleagues who’ve worked with an exceptional freelancer are usually happy to share information. If someone does pass on a name, press the referring individual for details. Questions to ask include:

1. What were the freelancer’s strengths? Weaknesses?
2. How well did the freelancer accept direction?
3. Was the freelancer able to work independently?
4. How quickly did the freelancer adopt the goals of the project? (continue reading…)

It’s 2:00 a.m. You’re awake, wondering when you’re going to get fired. Part of you says it’d be a relief: no more pretending not to notice that Bob Jones is sleeping with his secretary or that Carrie Winstall is sleeping with her secretary. No more eating cake at 10:00 a.m. because it’s some random co-worker’s birthday. No more politics, bureaucracy and, best of all, no more time-sucking meetings that add no value to your productivity.

In today’s economy, it’s quite likely that you are either facing the possibility of getting laid off, or you are disenchanted with corporate America. Maybe you’ve had your 401(k) contributions yanked, your pay frozen or your benefits cut. It’s happening everywhere. (continue reading…)