If you’re like most people, you have a lot of tasks that need completing and not enough time (or money) to get them done. Maybe it’s just an extra chore that needs doing in the house or maybe it’s a project for work. Whatever the task may be, there has to be a way that you can save money and find better freelancers so that these small projects don’t cost too much.
In this article, I will show you 15 tips on how to save money when it comes to small and large projects by outsourcing them through freelancing sites such as Upwork and Freelancer.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Implement cost-saving strategies to save money as a freelancer. |
| 2. Prioritize quality when hiring freelancers to ensure better outcomes. |
| 3. Consider using contract clauses to protect your rights and establish clear expectations. |
| 4. Explore options for freelance health insurance to secure proper coverage. |
| 5. Learn from common mistakes and avoid them to improve your freelancing career. |
| 6. Utilize tools and resources that can help you work more efficiently. |
| 7. Prepare and ace your first freelancing gig to build a strong reputation. |
| 8. Continuously educate yourself and stay updated on industry trends. |
| 9. Establish a support network of fellow freelancers for guidance and motivation. |
| 10. Strive for a healthy work-life balance and avoid burnout. |
| 11. Keep track of your finances and create a budget to manage your income effectively. |
| 12. Save for taxes and take advantage of available deductions as a freelancer. |
| 13. Explore opportunities to increase your freelance income through diversification and skill enhancement. |
| 14. Embrace continuous learning and professional development. |
| 15. Cultivate positive client relationships through effective communication and stellar service. |
1. Make Sure You’re Looking For The Right Thing
Before you start looking for a solution, make sure you’re solving the right problem.
Ask yourself: What are my goals? How long does it take me to achieve them? How much do I want to spend on this project? Once you have these answers, figure out what your budget is and how much time it will actually take for you to accomplish your goal.
You may be surprised by how many freelancers fall into this trap; they don’t define their problems or set goals before starting on a solution, which leads them down the wrong path from the very beginning.
For example, if your main fitness goal is losing 20 pounds in six months (which would be an ambitious but realistic goal), then finding someone who could help with that seems like a good idea but what if they charge $50 per hour? Suddenly losing 20 pounds in six months becomes extremely expensive!
If we had defined our problem as needing help getting back into shape after being injured and having limited mobility due to surgery restrictions.
Then doing so would become much cheaper without sacrificing effectiveness because all we really needed was someone who could teach us proper techniques using lighter weights than usual until our injuries healed up enough for us to progress onto heavier ones again safely without damaging ourselves further (or costing too much money).
The point here is that defining problems correctly before starting on solutions makes everything easier; therefore I encourage everyone reading this article who isn’t already doing so already 🙂
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2. Be Clear About Skills Required
When you hire a freelancer, it’s important that you communicate clearly about the skills needed for your project. This includes technical skills, but also soft skills such as communication and problem-solving abilities.
If you’re hiring someone for a position on your team, for example as a writer or marketer, then they will need to be able to work well with others.
If your project has certain requirements that are more specific than usual (for example if it requires knowledge of HTML), then make sure to share those requirements early on so that they have time to learn them before starting work.
3. Check The Résumé
When you’re looking at a résumé, there are several things to look for. First and foremost, make sure they have the right experience:
- Have they worked in your industry?
- Are they qualified?
- Do they have the right skills?
Second, make sure the applicant has the right attitude:
- Are they ready to work hard on this project?
If this person doesn’t have the right approach or personality, then it’s not going to work. However, if someone has all of these things (and more), then this is probably someone that is going to be successful at whatever task you give them!
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4. Do A Test Assignment
For example, if you want to hire someone to write blog posts for your website, you might ask them for a sample blog post. It should be no more than 300 words and it should cover some type of topic related to your website.
You will then evaluate that sample as part of the hiring process. This can help you decide whether or not they are qualified enough to work on your project.
The most important thing here is not only that you have something that can be evaluated but also that they do not get paid any money do this test assignment (or at least not much). If they get paid too much, it’ll be harder for them to justify working with other clients because they won’t feel like they’re getting paid enough by anyone else.
On the other hand, if you don’t pay them anything at all or only pay them $5 it may seem like an insult and make them feel like their time isn’t worth anything at all.
5. Check Out The Candidate’s Previous Work
Another important thing to do is check out the candidate’s previous work. If they haven’t done any specific work for you in the past, look through their portfolio and make sure that they have examples of good quality work that are similar to what you need.
Ask them for specific examples of projects they’ve worked on and ask them if there are any other clients who can give feedback about their performance. Make sure these samples are recent the last thing you want is an unqualified freelancer who doesn’t know how to properly use Photoshop or Illustrator!
6. Look At Feedback/Reviews
Read the reviews. You’ll want to make sure that you’re working with someone who has a good reputation.
Look for similar work samples. If you find that one of the freelancer’s reviews mentions a problem with their work, look at the sample they’ve provided and see if there are any issues with it as well you’ll be able to tell if there were problems in this case or not.
Look for similar feedback from other clients! If two different people say that something was wrong with an item, then chances are it wasn’t just them being picky; rather, it was actually wrong.
This is especially important when looking at small details like typos or formatting errors if multiple people mention these kinds of things then chances are they’re right!
Look for similar comments made by other clients (and even employees!) on sites like Upwork and Fiverr they can confirm whether or not people have had problems with certain tasks before too which may help guide your decision-making process when considering hiring a freelancer based on what they do best (such as providing content writing services).
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7. Check References
One of the best ways to ensure that you’re hiring someone who knows what they’re doing is by checking their references. This can be as easy as asking your freelancer for a list, but if they don’t have one or are reluctant to provide it, ask them if they have any clients whose names you can contact directly.
If so, call these clients and ask about their experience working with the freelancer; this will give you an idea of whether or not this person has been able to solve problems like yours in the past and how well they do their job overall. You should also ask about their strengths and weaknesses as well as whether or not these clients would hire them again (if applicable).
8. Take It Slow On New Freelancers
It may be tempting to hire a freelancer you’ve never worked with before, but it’s usually a good idea to test them out first. A quick sample project will let you:
- Get an idea of what the freelancer is capable of
- Find out if your work styles match up well enough that you can work together smoothly in the long run
This way, if they don’t work out, it won’t be as big of a loss for your business.
9. Ask For Help
The best way to find a good freelancer is to ask for help. This can take the form of recommendations from friends or even just searching on Google and reading reviews about different companies.
If you have someone in mind that you know has completed similar projects in the past, see if they will recommend someone else who can help out with your project! You can also reach out directly via email or social media (if appropriate) if you don’t want them to contact one another directly.
10. Give Them All The Details You Have, Upfront
When you’re working with a freelancer, it’s helpful to give them all the details upfront so they can assess if they’re a good fit for your project. In addition to your budget and timeline, consider sharing these details:
What type of task are they going to be doing? Is it writing blog posts or creating an ebook? Are they designing logos or building a website? The more specific you can be about what you need to be done, the better idea you’ll have of what kind of cost range will apply.
What sort of resources do they need? Do they need access to tools like Photoshop or InDesign? Do they have personal experience using those tools or will the training be required on both sides? It’s important that both parties understand what skills are involved so there aren’t any surprises later on down the road.
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11. Give Clear Instructions, In Writing
It’s important to be clear and concise when you’re writing instructions. Be specific about what you need, and include a list of all the information you have and the skills you need in order to complete your project.
If a freelancer doesn’t understand something, they won’t be able to complete your work on time or at all and if they don’t know what they’re supposed to do, it’s almost guaranteed that they’ll mess up somewhere along the way!
When writing instructions for something like copywriting or graphic design (or any other service), pay attention not only to what you say but also to how you say it. You want this person working for you because he or she is excited about helping your business succeed; so treat them with respect by using polite language throughout all correspondence with them.
12. Set Milestones And Deadlines, And Stick To Them
Deadlines and milestones are another crucial part of project management. They help keep things on track and ensure that you’re always working towards a specific goal, whether it’s the completion of your work or the delivery of your product.
Your freelancer may have other clients, so don’t be surprised if they push back a deadline or two in order to accommodate everyone involved. It’s okay for them to do this in fact, it’s likely that they’ve been hired by several other customers at once.
But setting these deadlines can help prevent any project delays that could affect your schedule or budget.
If there are extenuating circumstances (for example, holidays or sickness), communicate with your freelancer about extending deadlines when possible instead of just expecting things will go smoothly without input from both parties involved in the project.
13. Communicate Clearly, And Regularly (But Not Too Often)
Once your freelancer has started, check-in with them regularly. The more frequently you communicate, the better you’ll be able to gauge whether or not they’re on track to deliver a great outcome.
But don’t worry about giving them too many instructions you want this process to feel as natural as possible for both of you, so let go of any fears about micromanaging and focus instead on making sure that everyone’s happy with how things are going.
If there are any milestones that need passing along (for example: “I want 10 pages by next Thursday at 2 p.m.,” or “We need 5 high-quality photos by tomorrow afternoon”), then be sure to keep those conversations short and sweet (and maybe even set up reminders).
In general, communication should happen through channels where it will be most efficient: If your freelancer is based in India but speaks English as a second language, then working over Skype might make sense.
If they live nearby and speak English fluently but prefer using text messages rather than emailing back and forth, then sending quick texts may make more sense than calling each other every day on the phone.
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14. Don’t Forget To Say Thanks!
After the work is complete, it’s important to say thanks and let your freelancer know you appreciate their effort. A sincere “Thank you” goes a long way, especially if you’re working with someone who isn’t in the same city or country as you.
When giving feedback, remember that it’s best to be specific about what the freelancer did well and how it made a difference for your project.
If there are areas where they fell short of expectations or could improve upon their work in future projects, this is a good time to provide constructive criticism too but be sure not to sound like you’re lecturing them about every little thing!
The key here is balance: mention one thing specifically that worked well with their contribution and one area where they can improve next time around.
Be glad for what was done right first (and maybe even offer an extra bonus) before suggesting any changes the last thing anyone wants after putting in hard work on something is someone else telling them how they could have done better!
The best part about providing constructive criticism during this stage instead of immediately after completion? It gives both parties more time and opportunity to make adjustments without worrying about deadlines or budgets anymore…
15. Make Sure They Understand Your Business Culture, And Vice-Versa
It’s important to find a freelancer who understands your business culture. When contracting with a freelancer, make sure that you’re hiring someone who is a good fit for your company. It’s okay to hire a freelancer who is different from your business culture, in fact, it may be better for you in the long run!
The best way to find great freelancers is by using the internet. If you don’t know where to start, check out these 15 tips:
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a way to save money, look no further than hiring freelancers. Here’s a list of 15 tips that will help you find better freelancers, work well with them and stay happy while working with them.
Make sure your goal is clear before hiring a freelancer. This can save you time and frustration in the long run because it will make it easier for both parties to reach an agreement on what the job is, who’s responsible for what parts of the project, and how much they’ll get paid.
Don’t just look at their portfolio; read their previous customer reviews as well! You may see some really great work in their portfolio, but if their past customers were not satisfied with their service or quality of work then there’s probably no point in hiring them either (unless you like wasting money).
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to explore for further tips and advice on saving money as a freelancer:
Top 18 Money-Saving Hacks for Freelancers: Discover practical and effective money-saving strategies tailored specifically for freelancers to help you optimize your finances.
Money Saving Hacks for Freelancers: Learn valuable insights and actionable tips on saving money as a freelancer, allowing you to make the most of your earnings.
Finance Tips for Freelancers: Explore a comprehensive guide to financial management for freelancers, providing advice on budgeting, tax planning, and maximizing your income.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Upwork?
Upwork is a freelancing website that connects millions of businesses and professionals worldwide. It offers the tools you need to find and hire top-notch talent quickly and easily.
How Do I Use Upwork?
To start using Upwork, simply create an account for free by registering on the site. Once you’ve signed up, you can post your job listing or browse candidates by category or location.
You’ll also be able to get connected with other users through social media integration like Facebook Messenger, in order to speed up communication between parties involved in each project (if they choose).
How Much Does Upwork Cost?
The site has plans starting at $10 per month for one user who wants access to all features including unlimited job postings at no charge; this goes up depending on how many users are working on projects together as well as other factors such as time spent searching candidates’ profiles or communicating with them via chat session rather than phone calls.
All plans include full access to all current features so there’s no additional fee to pay upfront – just signup once! It should also be noted that these prices do not include any commission fees charged when making payments via PayPal.
What are some effective ways to reduce expenses as a freelancer?
To reduce expenses as a freelancer, consider implementing strategies such as minimizing discretionary spending, negotiating lower rates with service providers, utilizing cost-effective tools and software, and optimizing your home office setup for energy efficiency.
How can I save for taxes as a freelancer?
As a freelancer, it’s important to set aside a portion of your income for taxes. Open a separate savings account dedicated to tax payments and regularly transfer a percentage of your earnings into this account to ensure you have funds available when it’s time to pay your taxes.
Are there any specific tax deductions available for freelancers?
Yes, freelancers can take advantage of various tax deductions to lower their taxable income. Common deductions include home office expenses, business-related travel costs, professional development expenses, and health insurance premiums.
What are some effective strategies for increasing my freelance income?
To increase your freelance income, consider diversifying your client base, expanding your skill set, improving your marketing efforts, raising your rates periodically based on experience, and seeking higher-paying projects or long-term contracts.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.