Today, hiring a freelancer is becoming a common practice from small businesses to corporations. They find that there is a huge pool of professionals that make it cost effective for projects.

Look, hiring your first freelancer will probably make you feel apprehensive, but if done right you can avoid making mistakes and will find it is well worth the effort.

Here are some of the most common mistakes that are overlooked:

• Sit down and draw up a realistic plan of what your expectations are. Pay attention to details and your vision of the end result that you want. This will provide the freelancer with your expectations so that there is no confusion or misunderstandings. Clearly communicate what your expectations are related to the project and timeline. Failure to do this can result in you getting work that is not suitable and far from what you wanted.

• Do your homework and research the industry rate for the relevant job, settling on an amount that is within your budget. Remember, you get what you paid for. If you are not willing to pay a decent rate you will land up with someone who isn’t competent and may have to get someone else to redo the job properly. By paying what the freelancer is worth, you can expect to get good work on time.

• Freelancers are professionals and so should your hiring process be. Make sure you have all the necessary documentation, like non-compete agreements, non-disclosures, and remuneration details signed. You will also need to make sure that you have ownership of all the work involved in the project. This is protection for you in case there are any disputes in the future. Not doing this will surely haunt you down the road.

• Don’t take the first freelancer because you are under pressure, take time to vet them by making a short list. This way you will avoid hiring someone who is not fully suitable for your project.

• If you think you have found your ideal freelancer, don’t commit yourself too early. Set up an interview, on skype or through other social media outlets. Ask them about their previous gigs and get to know them to see if they are a suitable candidate that sync’s with you and your business. They could have great credentials on paper but are not a good fit for you.

mistakes to avoid when hiring freelancers

• Avoid the nightmare of your freelancer doing a vanishing act, the day before they are due to start the project, or worse still in the middle of the contract stops responding to emails or messages. You can avoid this by paying them a deposit or by milestone payments, and not paying them the whole amount up front. You could also consider using a freelance agency, who work with freelancers that have been vetted and are reliable.

The best part?

Fiverr is rated as the top marketplace for hiring freelancers who are professionals in their various fields.

• Treat your freelancer as you would any other employee of your team. Often this is overlooked, they are a part of your team, be courteous and pay them on time. They are professionals and probably have some valuable suggestions that can benefit you.

Bottom Line?

The end results matter, both in monetary terms and time. By taking some of these suggestions into consideration you will have a greater chance of success.