Many of us who have hired freelancers have wound up disappointed for one reason or another. With a global marketplace and our dependence on hiring labor at lower prices in a tough economy we sometimes cut corners that we might not otherwise think of cutting. It is a fact that we often get what we pay for, but sometimes, we do not get what we pay for. I believe that most freelance professionals are in fact professionals and set out to do a good job. However, that does not mean that every single freelancer has good intentions. I also want to say something that many buyers simply are not going to like – Do not depend on someone else to manage your assignments and ensure you do not get ripped off! Ultimately, whether you hire on your own or you use a freelance site, the odds of getting screwed are about the same.
What you need to understand about freelance sites
So let’s talk about freelance sites first because some of you feel “protected” by them. There are safeguards in place I will grant you this. However, there are limitations as to what these safeguards can (or should) do.
First and foremost a freelance site offers you the opportunity to find available freelancers. These freelancers will range from the very inexperienced to the very experienced. They will be from more countries around the world than you can imagine and they will have rates as varied as you can imagine.
Hourly Assignments
Freelance marketplaces often offer you the ability to “monitor” jobs that you hire for hourly. These include both oDesk and Elance (and there may be others). They will also offer to refund you for any hours “not logged properly”. Understand what this means though – that does not mean that if YOU think that the work isn’t logged properly it will be refunded, it means that the providers work diary has to show that they were working on your assignment and that the “keystrokes and mouse clicks” add up to proper activity levels and that the memo’s are appropriate. If a provider spent three hours researching on the internet to write your article or prepare your web page and the screen shots look like they are legitimate (i.e. they are not searching for information about online dating sites while preparing to write articles about rocket science) then they are going to be paid for those hours.
One way you can protect yourself from potential abuse by a provider in this type of an instance is to cap the number of hours they can work. You should have a fairly good grasp of how long a task will take (and do not hesitate to ask the provider for an estimate) before you agree to hire the provider. Within reason, set that limit.
Fixed rate jobs
Fixed rate jobs create their own sets of issues. From a providers perspective, some freelance sites offer no guarantee of payment to the provider. In this instance, providers are generally going to ask for a portion of the payment up front. Be prepared do make some payment up front (generally 25% of the project), but make sure that you have a clear understanding with that provider that they must turn in a portion of the work before you will make another payment. There does have to be some mutual trust here but this does offer some measure of protection for both the buyer and the provider.
Do not ask for free work
Get with the program. Just like you, a freelance professional is running a business. While it is perfectly reasonable to ask for samples of their work, do not expect those samples to be specific to your assignment. It simply is not fair.
Be prepared to pay a fair rate
I recently ranted about what I felt was a buyers totally unfair expectation put out in a job opening. I am of the belief that all buyers must adhere to a code of ethics just as freelance providers must. Have some respect for the people who are going to help you succeed in your business. Everyone has different ideas about what “fair” is but certainly there is not a person anyplace who thinks that $1 per hour is FAIR.
Make sure everyone understands the terms
Whatever you do, lay out your expectations clearly from day one. This should preferably done in writing during the interview phase. Do not add tasks onto an assignment (especially fixed assignments) that you do not intend to pay for. It is poor business practice.
Google is your friend too!
Most freelancers didn’t fall out of bed this morning and land on the internet for the first time. Do not be afraid to Google them and check them out. That includes social networking sites, You Tube or where ever you think there might be information. If the user has a negative internet “brand” stay away from them!
Summary
Both buyers and providers of services are depending a lot on the trustworthiness of others when they hire (or get hired) via the internet. Ironically enough, they are also working at odds with each other since each is looking out for their own bottom line. While the bottom lines may never be a “common ground” mutual respect of each other, proper communication and a willingness to cover your own rear end from the hazards of internet hiring (and working) can lead to great success for both freelancers and those who hire them.
[ad#Google Adsense]
About Doreen Martel
Well-rounded freelance writer who contributes to various blogs, paid to write sites and revenue sharing sites. Doreen is legally blind and has worked at home for more than 10 years. She uses the lessons learned from this experience to enhance her writing and share information with others.
Contently Portfolio
I love it – great points, Doreen. I didn’t know that was how freelance writing sites worked, either… screenshots?!
Yes, some hourly guarantees come with a requirement to use software that uses screen shots (oDesk and Elance both do). They are not all that bad though some consider them “big brother” type of intrusion. They don’t bother me at all, I personally like knowing that I am going to get those payments guaranteed. But the flip side is that it doesn’t bother me to *not* have the guarantee either. I don’t think any of my buyers ever look at my screen snaps and frankly, as long as I’m working on their stuff and not ‘prowling’ around the internet I don’t really have a problem if they do
[...] Before you hire that freelancer | Freelancing and More! [...]
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Freelancing & More , Doreen Martel. Doreen Martel said: Before you hire that freelancer http://tinyurl.com/324auu5 [...]