Outsourcing your project to external service providers, be it freelancers or companies, does come with its share of risks along with its multifarious advantages.
However, with effective strategies and a concrete project plan, you can mitigate any potential risks and ensure smooth and profitable outcomes from your project outsourcing endeavors.
A good plan not only helps you recover from mishaps more quickly but also gives a definite course to your project.
And one of the prime steps of planning for your project is - finding the right freelancer.
And while checking out prospective freelancers for your business, here are a few things that you need to look out for: Compatibility The freelancer you choose should have the right blend of talent, skills and experience and should bid within your budget.
Look for a freelancer who has the kind of experience and expertise that you require for your project.
Their skill-set should match exactly with the ones that you need for your project.
When you choose someone with these capabilities, you can be assured that your project is in expert hands and would be treated efficiently.
Understanding & Familiarity You should be able to talk to the freelancer about everything, be it the key goals and objective of your project or a specific work process of the same.
You should be able to give them all the information you can so that they understand all the aspects of your project.
This will ensure maximum efficiency and timely completion of the project.
Talk to them and you will get to know their depth of knowledge and understanding required for your project.
Excellent Communication Skills A freelancer who can't communicate well should be a big red flag to you.
Communication is the prime ingredient of any successful outsourcing project.
The freelancer should be able to articulate their skills, experience, knowledge to an employer and convey information very well.
Accessibility You will only be as connected to your freelancers as well your are able to reach them.
So another thing you should look for in a freelancer is their availability and accessibility.
If you have a hard time trying to keep in touch with your freelancer, then you would be able to keep good track of your project as well.
When you enter a business relationship, you agree to make yourself available.
Choose a freelancer who is easily accessible, has multiple contact channels and is available until project is completed.
Readiness to use Escrow Escrow is a safe mode to conduct business that ensures that your freelancer receives the payment only if the project has been completed to your specifications and satisfaction.
Escrow services involve a third party agent, usually the B2B portal or a bank with whom you can deposit the payment amount.
Once, the project has been completed, you can decide to release them.
They only released when you are satisfied with the project.
Using escrow is a safe way to enter into a practically risk-free working relationship.
Just make sure you consider the above tips and you will never have to regret working with a freelancer! Disclaimer: Sabra Easterday is the owner and founder of MatchB2B.
Sabra is also a lawyer with a special interest in business issues and e-marketplaces.
Notwithstanding that Sabra Easterday is a lawyer, nothing in this article and no services of MatchB2B or its website are legal services and no attorney-client relationship exists between any reader of this article or user, customer or potential customer of MatchB2B, and MatchB2B, its website or Sabra Easterday.