5 Things You Need When Hiring a Freelancer
I've come to notice that whenever I'm beginning a relationship with one of my clients, somewhere in our first conversations, the topic of what I need, to start the work, arises. So I conjured up this magical list of the five most important things anyone looking to hire a freelancer (such as me) should have.
1. A general description.
Write what you visualize as the design/website/logo/etc... It can also be a specific description, but it should allow the artist to employ their art powers and create their vision on the project, always within the established boundaries.
Write what you visualize as the design/website/logo/etc... It can also be a specific description, but it should allow the artist to employ their art powers and create their vision on the project, always within the established boundaries.
2. A defined goal.
With this one, you need to be as specific as possible. In other words, Where do you want the work to take your business? Get younger people to call? Sell more red cars? Get more website traffic?
With this one, you need to be as specific as possible. In other words, Where do you want the work to take your business? Get younger people to call? Sell more red cars? Get more website traffic?
3. Flexibility.
Sometimes clients want to address a lot of different people with the same message/piece. Please understand, that sometimes it cannot be done, or it cannot be done well. Sometimes diverse messages are what it calls for!
Sometimes clients want to address a lot of different people with the same message/piece. Please understand, that sometimes it cannot be done, or it cannot be done well. Sometimes diverse messages are what it calls for!
4. Full spectrum of work.
Be clear with your hired gun. Tell your freelancer all the pieces you need. Also if the same design will show up in different media. This might affect the way we design or do certain things. For example: If we're designing a logo, we might do it on full color, but if it will be printed on a t-shirt, we might need to do a two color version of the logo. If we know this before-hand, we can adjust our design to be sure it will work later. Be transparent!
Be clear with your hired gun. Tell your freelancer all the pieces you need. Also if the same design will show up in different media. This might affect the way we design or do certain things. For example: If we're designing a logo, we might do it on full color, but if it will be printed on a t-shirt, we might need to do a two color version of the logo. If we know this before-hand, we can adjust our design to be sure it will work later. Be transparent!
5. Payment.
Of course this is what makes everything go, so be sure to have 50% of the total amount to give up-front to commence work. Some Freelances charge 25% and others even charge full rate before doing anything. Be sure to ask about this. You should be on the same page with the person who will be giving life to your project. Sometimes you can even arrange for a monthly fee. And find out when will the last payment be due. Upon completion? Net 15? Net 30? Talk it out!
Of course this is what makes everything go, so be sure to have 50% of the total amount to give up-front to commence work. Some Freelances charge 25% and others even charge full rate before doing anything. Be sure to ask about this. You should be on the same page with the person who will be giving life to your project. Sometimes you can even arrange for a monthly fee. And find out when will the last payment be due. Upon completion? Net 15? Net 30? Talk it out!
I think that about sums it up. Have you had a relationship with a freelancer and different issues have risen? Be sure to tell me below, on the comments section. If you want to work with me, be sure to contact me directly!
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