Freelancers increasingly turn to each other, forming dynamic teams to expand their skill sets, offer comprehensive services, and take on larger projects. We spoke with Bukki Adedapo, Fiverr’s International Expansion Leader, to gain insights into how freelancers can effectively leverage collaboration to achieve their business objectives.
Building Your Dream Team
According to Fiverr’s UK Future Workforce Index only half (55%) of the UK workforce is made up of full-time workers as companies increasingly turn to freelancers and self-employed ‘solopreneurs’.
“This trend is clearly only going one way,” says Adedapo, “so if you’re ready to start raising money, or don’t yet have the confidence or resources to raise money, hiring freelancers can be a much more economical way of operating than hiring full-time employees.”
The ability to assemble a team of freelancers with complementary skills is a game-changer for many solopreneurs. “A freelance team can scale both up or down in line with your business’ needs,” he says.
This adaptability allows freelancers to respond to fluctuations in demand and take on projects of varying sizes without the commitment of hiring full-time employees.
Mitigating Risks and Ensuring Quality
When collaborating with other freelancers, it’s crucial to establish trust and ensure the quality of work. Thorough vetting, clear contracts, and open communication are essential for mitigating risks and building successful partnerships.
He suggests you identify the jobs you need done early to ensure you find the right freelancers to fit your needs. He says Fiverr Business has a catalogue of pre-vetted freelancers to mitigate potential hiring risks.
However, The Freelance Informer suggests you have a face-to-face meeting or video call before you hire. Even with a stellar portfolio if you do not gel with a collaborator, it will annoy you to no end. Can you trust this person? Will they be professional should they have to speak to a client of yours?
You need to get a sense of what working with someone might be like. You want someone who is experienced but not a know-it-all who will question your every move. You want synergy. Someone who will enhance your business offerings!
Collaboration and Communication
Adedapo recommends establishing communication channels, setting project milestones, and using project management tools to ensure everyone is on the same page. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions are crucial for maintaining momentum and addressing any challenges that may arise.
“You must be able to communicate project details and assign tasks effectively for easy collaboration,” he says. “Otherwise, freelancers or remote workers will find it difficult to keep up with the work arrangement.”
Why freelancers should bundle their skills and services
Freelancers can create more comprehensive and competitive offerings by forming strategic partnerships with other freelancers. By combining their expertise, they can offer bundled services, attract larger clients, and increase their market reach. Adedapo highlights the importance of identifying partners whose skills and values align with your own.
“As your team begins working together on a project, Fiverr Business can help you all become more efficient by skipping all the overhead of multiple freelancers, monitoring your team’s progress, approving transactions, and setting budgets with ease.,” says Adedapo.
For example, he says if you need to further scale your business as your company grows, you can rapidly expand your freelance team as needed without wasting time, with Fiverr Executive Assistants able to help match you with the best talent for your team, in turn eliminating the need for interviews and guesswork.
Fiverr-trained business partners can also help you ‘outsource the outsourcing’ when it comes to managing a project from start to finish. “They are experienced and can help to assemble a team of freelance talent to ensure you get high-quality results quickly and within budget,” he says.
Cost Considerations and Budget Management
Collaborating with other freelancers involves financial considerations, such as splitting project fees, managing expenses, and ensuring fair compensation for all team members. Adedapo advises freelancers to establish transparent financial agreements upfront and utilize budgeting tools to track income and expenses.
When freelancers use platforms, they need to price their services to account for the commission the platform charges on each project or service.
Freelancers can set their own project fees and now hourly rates for Pro freelancers to ensure they receive just compensation based on the experience, time, and expertise required.
Next steps
Whether you find freelancers on a platform or by scouring LinkedIn or other social media channels, you can scale your business faster through collaboration. By building strategic teams, mitigating risks, fostering effective communication, and managing finances wisely, freelancers can unlock new opportunities and achieve their full potential.
Adedapo concludes, “Collaboration can save time and energy, freeing you up to do what’s most important at work: “grow your business.”
- Identify Your Needs: Clearly define the skills and expertise you lack in your business and outline the specific tasks or projects you need assistance with. This will help you narrow down your search and find freelancers with the right qualifications.
- Vet Potential Candidates: Thoroughly research potential freelancers by reviewing their portfolios, checking references, and reading reviews from previous clients. Look for freelancers with a proven track record of delivering high-quality work on time and within budget. Meet them in person or online.
- Establish Clear Communication: Open and transparent communication is crucial for successful collaboration. Clearly communicate your expectations, project timelines, deliverables, and payment terms upfront. Establish regular check-ins and feedback sessions to ensure everyone is on the same page.
- Create a Formal Agreement: Draft a written contract outlining the scope of work, payment terms, deadlines, ownership of intellectual property, and dispute resolution procedures. This will protect both parties and provide a framework for resolving any disagreements that may arise.
- Build Trust and Rapport: Invest time in building a positive working relationship with your hired freelancer. Foster open communication, provide constructive feedback, and recognise their contributions. A strong rapport will lead to better collaboration and more successful outcomes.
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