As a writer who did a great deal of freelancing work, I agree with Dennis Cox that there is frustration on both sides. It's in your best interest to develop a relationship with a freelancer that matches your needs and can grow with your company. Ideally, freelancing isn't a one-off. Treat a freelancer as you would expect to be treated and compensated. There are true professionals out there that not only meet, but exceed expectations.
For someone who owns a marketing agency. Freelance work can be good and bad. The good thing about freelancers is that they often perform the task at a very discount rate. The bad part is that they don't take the time to really understand the business they are completing a project for. At Voixly we only use in house developers and copywriters. This allows us to build relationship and have a good understanding of who the customer is and how we can help them. Although our prices are not freelance level we can do the work right the first time and correct it to the cusotmers need.
Many have commented on the negatives of using Freelancers, (the original topic), but there are always two sides to frustration in a business relationship. As a long-time marketing project manager, it's not only the amount of communication, but it has to be a true meeting of the minds in relation to what's expected in all aspects of a project to make it a successful one.
You need to include all costs, estimated date/amount of time it will take to complete the work, number of and dates for status updates, drafts, and acceptable changes per project, and so on.
Scope-creep needs to be built in up to a set percentage of time, and formal change requests tracked so that there are no surprises if due-dates need to be pushed out or the estimate increases before a final bill with actual time spent is drawn up.
I've seen bad behavior on both sides. Some clients expect instant yet professional turn-around, and some Freelancers over-estimate their ability to complete a project on time or to the expectations promised. Testing is good for both sides to learn from, but isn't always an indication of what may happen in future projects when circumstances or project size changes.
I had to "fire" a client after we'd worked well together for a while because he became disrespectful of me, my time and the limits of the business arrangement we'd agreed to. On a Super Bowl weekend when my Packers were in the game, he called on Sunday and demanded I work during the game to complete a new change he wanted by Monday morning. I explained to him that we'd discussed the possible change a week prior, that I'd waited for and followed up to get his decision several times since and that I felt it was an unreasonable request. He became verbally abusive and hung up.
He had his attorney call me on Monday morning to state that I'd broken our contract, insisted he'd not be paying me for work already completed on the project and within 1 business day I must return all materials including my drafts, since they were confidential and he no longer trusted me with them. I responded by hand-delivering to the attorney all project materials and drafts, a statement of project hours and specific work completed with my bill and a copy of our contract showing a standard agreement regarding change limitations. It didn't say don't call and swear at me during the Super Bowl, but it did say change orders needed to be accepted in writing and may increase project estimates of time or cost. I also let him know he was no longer acceptable as a client and any non-payment or poor references given would be taken to court. I got a check 3 days later and never heard another word. I'm still upset years later about the incident.
I didn't take on new projects until my standard contracts were again reviewed by a business attorney which was an added cost. I had business insurance, but as anyone knows, using it would have increased rates and added more costs. I decided one-off or short-term work wasn't worth it and took on only long-term retainers or client contracts.
Being a Freelancer doesn't mean you should take on unprofessional or abusive clients, that because you may be able to work from the comfort of your home that you don't have many costs-of-business that need to be considered and built into your rate, or that you don't deserve to make a profit. Other Freelancers can weigh in or we can begin as a new topic, but I'm certain this isn't as uncommon as it should be.
As long as you provide clear expectations, and define the rules of the game. There's no room for frustration. YES. You will find people on the way who claim to be an expert and very professional and they won't deliver. And that happens 50% of the times. I encourage business owners and freelancers to be honest and open. Don't look for a job, look for positive, long term valuable relationships.
Business from Miramar, FL
Answered on Apr 12th, 2017
One of the keys is to get the expectations and deliverable work, well defined, and agreed on. Have several points in the project that serve as status checks. This helps things not going too far off the rails. Good communication and well defined process prevent much of the frustration some experience.
You need to pick freelancers that you have properly vetted. Find out what they have done, talk to their clients, define what you need to accomplish and put them to the test. When the project is done the you do a review with them. What worked and what needs to be fixed. You are paying them, make them accountable for their services or fire them and find someone to fill the slot. In today's marketplace it is all about freelancers. Communicate well and you will win the game!
Mostly nothing is frustrating dealing with a partner/freelancer. It's the ones that think they know more then they do, tell you what and how to run their work and it is off base, not in their best interest and will cost them more. Yet, those that look to you for information, ideas and creative solutions are the relationships that work out the best for all involved; freelancer, printer and end client.
There are allot of plus sides to working with Freelancers however, the most frustrating part that I find is their availability and inability to deliver consistent quality work. Some are more disciplined than others, some may be working several contracts at one time that may have conflicting priority calendars.
Business from Bloomington, IL
Answered on Apr 12th, 2017
I must say, being a former freelancer turned official small business myself... it's probably the amount of time something can take. What clients don't seem to fully understand or appreciate is that they are not the only project on our plate, and true creative work that's great in quality isn't something that can magically be whipped up, even though we can make it seem like it's so effortless. When you are in high-demand, you are constantly not only juggling multiple projects with various deadlines, you have to switch around so much in your creative brain to adjust for each project.... it's exhausting. We need time to recharge so we can operate at full capacity. Even though we can work around the clock, doesn't mean e should or want to. Many times we have families and chores and errands and volunteering we do outside of business, and juggling that along with our perfectionism... means you wait a little longer for quality work! :)But believe me we always deliver and it's always worth the wait and the expenses you invest.
As a former freelancer who did corporate and editorial photo assignments, I can assure you there is frustration on the other side as well. There are still some jobs where I never got paid or paid less than was agreed to. As for exaggerating skills, a portfolio should make judging that evident.
Answers (1-10)
As a writer who did a great deal of freelancing work, I agree with Dennis Cox that there is frustration on both sides. It's in your best interest to develop a relationship with a freelancer that matches your needs and can grow with your company. Ideally, freelancing isn't a one-off. Treat a freelancer as you would expect to be treated and compensated. There are true professionals out there that not only meet, but exceed expectations.
For someone who owns a marketing agency. Freelance work can be good and bad. The good thing about freelancers is that they often perform the task at a very discount rate. The bad part is that they don't take the time to really understand the business they are completing a project for. At Voixly we only use in house developers and copywriters. This allows us to build relationship and have a good understanding of who the customer is and how we can help them. Although our prices are not freelance level we can do the work right the first time and correct it to the cusotmers need.
Many have commented on the negatives of using Freelancers, (the original topic), but there are always two sides to frustration in a business relationship. As a long-time marketing project manager, it's not only the amount of communication, but it has to be a true meeting of the minds in relation to what's expected in all aspects of a project to make it a successful one.
You need to include all costs, estimated date/amount of time it will take to complete the work, number of and dates for status updates, drafts, and acceptable changes per project, and so on.
Scope-creep needs to be built in up to a set percentage of time, and formal change requests tracked so that there are no surprises if due-dates need to be pushed out or the estimate increases before a final bill with actual time spent is drawn up.
I've seen bad behavior on both sides. Some clients expect instant yet professional turn-around, and some Freelancers over-estimate their ability to complete a project on time or to the expectations promised. Testing is good for both sides to learn from, but isn't always an indication of what may happen in future projects when circumstances or project size changes.
I had to "fire" a client after we'd worked well together for a while because he became disrespectful of me, my time and the limits of the business arrangement we'd agreed to. On a Super Bowl weekend when my Packers were in the game, he called on Sunday and demanded I work during the game to complete a new change he wanted by Monday morning. I explained to him that we'd discussed the possible change a week prior, that I'd waited for and followed up to get his decision several times since and that I felt it was an unreasonable request. He became verbally abusive and hung up.
He had his attorney call me on Monday morning to state that I'd broken our contract, insisted he'd not be paying me for work already completed on the project and within 1 business day I must return all materials including my drafts, since they were confidential and he no longer trusted me with them. I responded by hand-delivering to the attorney all project materials and drafts, a statement of project hours and specific work completed with my bill and a copy of our contract showing a standard agreement regarding change limitations. It didn't say don't call and swear at me during the Super Bowl, but it did say change orders needed to be accepted in writing and may increase project estimates of time or cost. I also let him know he was no longer acceptable as a client and any non-payment or poor references given would be taken to court. I got a check 3 days later and never heard another word. I'm still upset years later about the incident.
I didn't take on new projects until my standard contracts were again reviewed by a business attorney which was an added cost. I had business insurance, but as anyone knows, using it would have increased rates and added more costs. I decided one-off or short-term work wasn't worth it and took on only long-term retainers or client contracts.
Being a Freelancer doesn't mean you should take on unprofessional or abusive clients, that because you may be able to work from the comfort of your home that you don't have many costs-of-business that need to be considered and built into your rate, or that you don't deserve to make a profit. Other Freelancers can weigh in or we can begin as a new topic, but I'm certain this isn't as uncommon as it should be.
As long as you provide clear expectations, and define the rules of the game. There's no room for frustration. YES. You will find people on the way who claim to be an expert and very professional and they won't deliver. And that happens 50% of the times. I encourage business owners and freelancers to be honest and open. Don't look for a job, look for positive, long term valuable relationships.
One of the keys is to get the expectations and deliverable work, well defined, and agreed on. Have several points in the project that serve as status checks. This helps things not going too far off the rails. Good communication and well defined process prevent much of the frustration some experience.
You need to pick freelancers that you have properly vetted. Find out what they have done, talk to their clients, define what you need to accomplish and put them to the test. When the project is done the you do a review with them. What worked and what needs to be fixed. You are paying them, make them accountable for their services or fire them and find someone to fill the slot. In today's marketplace it is all about freelancers. Communicate well and you will win the game!
Mostly nothing is frustrating dealing with a partner/freelancer. It's the ones that think they know more then they do, tell you what and how to run their work and it is off base, not in their best interest and will cost them more. Yet, those that look to you for information, ideas and creative solutions are the relationships that work out the best for all involved; freelancer, printer and end client.
There are allot of plus sides to working with Freelancers however, the most frustrating part that I find is their availability and inability to deliver consistent quality work. Some are more disciplined than others, some may be working several contracts at one time that may have conflicting priority calendars.
I must say, being a former freelancer turned official small business myself... it's probably the amount of time something can take. What clients don't seem to fully understand or appreciate is that they are not the only project on our plate, and true creative work that's great in quality isn't something that can magically be whipped up, even though we can make it seem like it's so effortless. When you are in high-demand, you are constantly not only juggling multiple projects with various deadlines, you have to switch around so much in your creative brain to adjust for each project.... it's exhausting. We need time to recharge so we can operate at full capacity. Even though we can work around the clock, doesn't mean e should or want to. Many times we have families and chores and errands and volunteering we do outside of business, and juggling that along with our perfectionism... means you wait a little longer for quality work! :)But believe me we always deliver and it's always worth the wait and the expenses you invest.
As a former freelancer who did corporate and editorial photo assignments, I can assure you there is frustration on the other side as well. There are still some jobs where I never got paid or paid less than was agreed to. As for exaggerating skills, a portfolio should make judging that evident.