If you’ve never used the services of freelancers for your small business, now’s the time to start. You can save a lot of money by hiring freelancers on an as-needed basis as compared to hiring full-time employees. If there are any jobs eating up your time, a freelancer can handle them with expertise so that you can focus on the most critical aspects of your business. There’s a wealth of global talent that you can easily tap into through online job platforms. And hiring freelancers provides your business with more flexibility overall.
So, you’re convinced that hiring freelancers could benefit your company. Now, it’s time to think about what types of professionals you should consider bringing on your team. Here are some things you need to keep in mind.
Before You Begin…
If you plan to hire freelancers to handle different tasks at your business, then you need to set up a way to accurately track their work and issue payments. Time tracking software can provide handy scheduling tools and allows your freelancers to easily clock in and out. You can also generate any reports you need come tax time. You can also use field service management software to get real-time updates and schedule jobs. Look for software that also has an app so you can use it on your mobile device, meaning you and your team can access schedules and timesheets on the go.
Virtual Assistant
Running a small business requires endless menial day-to-day tasks. If you try to do them all yourself, it will eventually distract you from your most important work.
Many entrepreneurs find hiring a virtual assistant worth the investment. From fielding phone calls to inputting data to scheduling meetings, a virtual assistant can handle a variety of jobs so that you can focus on what you do best. Plus, it can relieve a great deal of stress. Look to online job boards to choose from a wealth of qualified candidates.
Web Designer
When it comes to first impressions, your website should be front and center. And it will play a major role in building trust with your current customers. Make sure your website is top-notch, especially considering the fact that your competitors are doing it.
An experienced freelance web designer and developer can ensure your site is easy to navigate, loads quickly, looks attractive, contains quality graphics that reflect your company’s brand, and much more. If you don’t have expertise in web design, this is definitely a project to outsource to a freelancer.
Content Writer
Written content is arguably the most essential form of connecting your brand to your audience. When you have well-written, engaging, and informative content that reflects your company’s voice, it can do wonders for attracting and retaining customers, and it can help establish your reputation in the industry. Content writing comes in many different forms—from copywriting to blog posts, from video scripts to social media posts.
Hiring a freelancer to handle this area of your business can be well worth the investment. Just make sure you find the right kind of writer for each type of content; though, some writers have expertise in multiple forms.
Social Media Specialist
Few will argue that social media is the king of digital marketing. And while platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter provide effective (and affordable) opportunities to promote your brand, it’s critical to use the right strategies if you want to optimize your marketing. A social media specialist can help your company do just that on each platform.
Accountant
As the business owner, you want to know the basics of your company’s financial standing and strategy. But that doesn’t mean you need to carry the full burden of managing the finances. Hiring a freelance accountant can prove invaluable when it comes to maintaining healthy cash flow and keeping you out of taxation trouble. Find an accountant who specializes in small business, and you might be surprised by how much stress it relieves.
There are many legitimate reasons to hire freelancers for your small business. At the end of the day, it can enable your company to grow like it’s supposed to while reducing stress and allowing you to spend your time and energy on the things you’re most equipped to do. Along with considering the types of freelancers above, remain open-minded to other jobs you can outsource to qualified freelancers.
“Written by Lucy Reed”