Nowadays, almost every business hires freelancers. Not only are they a much more affordable option for dealing with tasks, but one that lets you try out different people per their skill sets. And if you’ve been considering hiring along more freelancers, then there are a few considerations you should make before you get started. Check them out below:

Get Everything In Writing

If you’re going to be hiring freelancers, then one of the first things you should make an absolute priority is getting everything in writing. While it’s generally a good practice to get contracts written regardless, with freelancing it can be especially useful, particularly with how many different types of contracts you might need and the specific language for each. And although this all might sound overwhelming, it can be a much more simple process than you might imagine.

To begin, list out the different types of freelancers you regularly might need to hire, as well as for what gigs. This isn’t always occupation based, but rather by task; for example, according to CostHelper, the average logo costs around $150, which you’ll most likely be paying for one time. But you really need to focus on the jobs you’re going to need performed over and over again, like content writing. Either way, make sure to have someone like lawyer Aaron Kelly to handle your contracts and ensure you are legally protecting your interests.

Have Your Processes Locked Down

As it goes with nearly any employee you hire (especially freelancers) having great onboarding and operational procedures in place is crucial. Not only will these aspects give you the best chance in regards to bringing someone on quickly, but additionally in saving money on training or getting people up to speed. In fact, as noted by Entrepreneur, businesses lose on average 20 to 30 percent of revenue due to inefficiencies. And if you’re looking to avoid that, then having a great process in place is a must.

Map out the different resources you’re going to need to accommodate any freelancer who comes along, including everything from instructional guides to eChecks for payment. Make sure for any instructional materials that they’re written in a clear, concise way with visuals to go along (hint: the simpler, the better). Furthermore, another smart move in your hiring efforts is to streamline onboarding processes as much as you can, making everyone on the same communication and file-transfer services. As a lot of these aspects will feel pretty intuitive, it’s just a matter of putting them in as a consistent practice to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to be brought on with the same knowledge base.

Know Your Mediums For Search

If there’s one thing that a lot of hiring agents overlook, it’s the medium in which we’re looking for candidates. According to AdWeek, freelancers have grown by 50 percent over the past five years on LinkedIn, so you need to look beyond the conventional to strive. For example, you could seek out photographers on Instagram or family bloggers on Tapshare. However, before you dive too deep into platforms, you first have to strategize how you’re going to maximize your efforts.

In breaking down the types of freelancers you regularly hire, try looking at what mediums for them make the most sense, as well as how you’re going to reach out to them. Additionally, try to utilize different networks within each other to build solid leads; for example, if I was looking for an illustrator for a project, then starting with one artist to follow on Instagram and seeing who else they follow could be a good way to build a lead list of candidates. Remember, the goal here is to find mediums you genuinely enjoy looking through your talents with, so make it a concerted effort to be patient in finding the right candidate.

Be Patient

Finally, as much as we want to rush into the hiring process when we find someone we like, it’s a much better move to remain a little patient in your approach to ensure you get the perfect candidate. As noted by CNN, the gig economy makes up 34 percent of the workforce, which means there are quite a few freelancers out there for you to choose from. While a lot of people prefer contracting freelancers on a trial-and-error basis, be mindful that it’s important to bring these people on full-time as a way of developing both your company and brand. Take into account this process, as what you’re doing is shopping for a long-term partner.

What are some strategies you take in hiring freelancers? Comment with your answers below!