How Business Owners Can Better Utilize Freelance Work

Published on: 28 May 2020 Last Updated on: 06 November 2024

Small businesses don’t always have a ton of cash or room to make costly mistakes, so every penny, every asset, every minute, counts.

Often, small businesses will turn to freelancers for certain projects where they need expert help, but that can also take a hit on your bank account, so ensuring the freelancer does good work is crucial.

Sometimes though, the freelance work falls short, leaving the small business low on funds with a deliverable that is unusable. So how do you avoid that? Let’s talk about a better way of finding freelance workers for your business.

Each freelancer can be paid differently. Some are paid upfront or given equity, others are paid a percentage of the final revenue, and some are paid when the job gets done.

Here’s the best thing a small business that is low on upstart funds can do when it comes to hiring a freelancer:

Adopt a revenue-sharing model.

What that means is the freelancer gets paid when you do. They’ll complete the project, deliver all final assets to the business owner, but they’ll only get paid if and when you start making money. There will be a percentage that is agreed upon by both parties before the project begins, and if your business starts bringing in revenue, you’ll then pay off the percentage owed to the freelancer. If your business never makes money, you do not have to pay the freelancer a dime.

Why is this a good idea?

First of all, it decreases the risk for the business by waiting to pay the freelancer until there is secure revenue coming in.

Second, with this idea in mind, freelancers can do some of their best work. They aren’t just getting paid to finish a job, there’s a higher expectation of their work. They understand that if their work is mediocre, there’s a lower chance of them getting paid. It’s in their best interest to do the best work they can, not only to help you as a business owner but to help themselves as well.

Develop a Relationship

Far too often, businesses pay freelancers for work only to be unsatisfied with the end product. Many times this is due to a lack of communication on one or both sides. To ensure that you are getting quality service delivered from a freelance worker, it’s important to have an understanding relationship. Here are a few tips on how to accomplish that:

Describe Your Communication Style

If you’re not sure what your communication style is, it’s not a bad idea to find out or develop a system that works for you. Some people have very blunt ways of communicating while others are timider. Talking about your preferred communication style with the freelancer you hired will help to avoid conflict, assumptions, and hard feelings.

Explain Your Needs

Don’t be afraid to express where there are gaps in understanding. The freelancer is there to be an expert in an area that you may not be familiar with. It’s okay to say things like, “I’m not sure I understand that, could you explain how that works?” The more you can understand the process, the better you’ll be able to communicate and get an end product you’re happy with.

Do Your Part

If you feel there are gaps in understanding, take a step back, and see if there is anything you might have left out in communication with the freelancer. Sometimes we get in our own bubble and assume other people understand what we are talking about when in reality we need to explain certain things in more depth.

Good Luck!

Some of these tips may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how often business owners fail to communicate well with the freelancers they hire. If you can adopt these practices into your business model, your freelancers’ work will improve significantly and you won’t have to worry about an unfortunate loss of precious funds.

Read also:

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Choosing Open Office Space vs Cubicle Office Space

The right environment is essential for the growth of a business and for the employees to be result-driven. A healthy environment can either boost your productivity or hamper it. While deciding on office space, I am sure you would be going through different factors in mind. Here I am discussing one of the most important factors which are usually ignored by the people. While trying to decide between an open office space and cubicle office space, wither people will choose the one which is cheaper or they will opt for a cubicle just because they are more habitual to it. The importance of office layout depends on the type of work a person has to do. If somebody is into developing and he or she does a lot of coding, then a cubicle would be more suitable for them as they would be able to concentrate more in a cubicle than an open working space. And if a person writes blogs or does creative writing, then they would not mind an open environment. And they can even draw inspiration from their surroundings. While both the options are not bad if you’re co-working space is good, but both of them have some pros and cons. Let’s discuss some points here. Choosing Open Office Space vs Cubicle Office Space: Open Office Plan: Open office plan also called a modern layout, which is most commonly seen in a Google office, is an office layout where you do not have any kind of cubicles and environment is open and casual. These days more and more people are considering these types of offices because it makes their company look cool and employees also consider it these days more than a corporate environment. But you have to understand not all types of employees like this type of environment, so it is very important for you to analyze your team first and then decide. Cubicle office plan: Cubicle office space is often seen at corporate offices and banks. The cubicle option in a co-working facility is often an expensive option, so you need to consider what do you need a cubicle or not. Type of people: Suppose if you have introverts in your team, then they wouldn’t really be comfortable with working in an open environment, as they enjoy being in themselves and more people's presence can make them uncomfortable, but if the majority of people are extrovert than the case would be vice versa. Idea generation: An open office plan encourages communication which is great for idea generation and brainstorming. So it is great for idea generation as people can bounce off their ideas off of each other and can come up with great concepts and collaboration ideas. Lack of Privacy: An open office plan can severely affect a person’s privacy which can interfere with the employee's mind and they cannot express openly, as they fear that other people might be judging them. It also not great for someone who has to do a lot of client interaction and through calls and Skype, it would disturb other people also and the person who is on the call also. A Common Solution: This would be the best option for any kind of business, as a person who loves to work in a cubicle can work there and if a person wants to work in an open space, they can do that. Employees can even switch places so that they can get a break from spending their whole day at the same place. The open office space can also be used the time to time as an accelerator for idea generation. If you are a new business owner: If it's your first time managing a business and trying to expand it most efficiently, you may find that there are many tips and tricks that you can keep in mind while you are growing. With office rental options in Miami, you can ensure that you can find a working space where you can constantly find new clients, allowing you to help your business develop. It's not easy to have all of the answers at the beginning, but having an office where you can quietly get down to work with your employees is one of the most important factors to a successful business. Read More: Making Your Office Safer For Workers Top Expert Tips For A Stunning Condo Interior! Why Your Business Should Care About Social Responsibility

Customer Service Gripes Revealed In New Survey

Are you an eCommerce business looking to address the problem of abandoned carts on your platform? Do you know how you can ensure that more people close the sales and move cart items into final purchases? Have you tried using some strategies like offering coupons and discounts to sweeten the deal? According to a new and very important study made by Feefo, it has been found that there are more than 79% of customers abandoning their carts and not closing purchases on e-commerce platforms. The question, which many eCommerce-based companies are asking is- how can I change this? In this article, we speak to leading digital marketing specialists and ask them about the various strategies, which can be used to ensure that the items are moved from the cart into the final purchase. Why Consumers leave Items in the Cart According to the Feefo Study? The survey is very important to read and understand if you want to improve the sales and revenue generation for your e-commerce business. According to Feefo, most consumers leave items in the cart because of one specific reason- High Prices! In most cases, the prices displayed on the product pages are exclusive of additional costs like taxes, shipping charges, and in some very weird cases, packaging! According to the study, it is time for eCommerce businesses to start becoming honest and transparent in showcasing prices to the consumers on the product page itself. This may remove the entire magnet strategy of- lower pricing, moving to the cart seeing the higher pricing however emotional investments and time ending up with the purchase Ecommerce businesses need to realize that digital audiences have started to move beyond just baits and value transparency on digital platforms. The study pointed out specifically to High Shipping Costs as the primary impediment to abandoned carts. Taxes too are something, which most of us take into consideration. However, additional shipping expenditures are still not acceptable to the vast majority. How the World’s Best Ecommerce Sites Handle the Abandoned Carts Issue? According to business experts at the best-performing sites, the need of the hour is to help customers at this stage with a small incentive. In other words, customers are already through 80% of the things a business needs to close a sale. At the cart stage, what you need is a small push, which can be offered by brands to the customers. Not only will this result in the final sales happening, but it will also boost the image of the brand in the eyes of the customer in a positive fashion. Some of the best businesses go for the following strategies- Using promotional codes for both new and existing customers. Taking away the Shipping Charges for customers and showing the discounted price. Creating personalized packaging and offering incentives to buy. Having multiple shipping vendors on the business and comparing prices. Rewarding the customer in other ways (social media shout outs). Why Building Positive Business Relationships matter for Ecommerce Businesses? Building a positive brand and making the customer feel special is critical for the success of your e-commerce business. This means that e-commerce businesses need to invest in their communication. In-app messages, email newsletters, WhatsApp communications, etc. are good ways to ensure that you are always having an open channel of communication. By valuing your existing customers, you will be able to win repeat purchases for your business. Your existing customers can also spread a positive word about your brand to their family and friends, leading to more sales and revenues. However, taking care of the costs is the number one thing, eCommerce businesses should look to address at all costs. If eCommerce businesses are able to bring their operational costs down, they will be able to further incentivize sales. You can view the Full Study and Report of the excellent Feefo Study below: Source: www.feefo.com

What are the key pillars of a profitable Airbnb business?

When you start advertising on Airbnb or similar short-term vacation rental websites your primary objective is to turn your lodging into a stable source of income. Essentially, the success of your rental project depends on your ability to attract good, payable guests who will stay in your cozy corners, get an excellent experience, share it with other travelers on the Airbnb platform, and, ultimately, turn into your brand advocates with all the perks applicable. The snag is that not all Airbnb entrepreneurs know how to embark their venture on the path to success. In this guide, we will tell you about the pillars of a flourishing Airbnb company. Define your mission So you choose short-term hosting as a way to earn extra dollars for your happy living. First, you need to determine a simple mission statement. Your mission vision will shape how you operate your new-born startup and the experience you deliver to your tenants. Elaborate on a business plan and define your goals by asking yourself the following questions: How do you want to work? How much time and resources can you pour into your business? What is your vision of perfect hosting? What are your goals? How many deals do you need per month to meet expenditures and earn? How are you going to beat competitors? What should you do to make your listing appealing? What actions do you need to take to run your business smoothly and effectively? How will you protect your place from unruly guests? How will you ensure compliance with local tax legislation? Like any business, leasing out on Airbnb will involve certain expenses and investments. You should have a pretty clear sense of all your possible disbursements and incomes to ensure your Airbnb business is simply worth it. Even if it is a single spare room in your condo that you are going to rent, it is still a business, though quite small. And the business must be legal to thrive. To exclude any problems with the Law, consider hiring a professional accountant or an accredited Airbnb management company that will help you obtain all necessary municipal permissions and secure your total compliance with all administrative codes and tax authorities as well as assist you with procuring an LLC status as your business grows. Survey the market Anything you can do to elevate your listing or make it unique and attractive is a chance to charge more in your market. Scrutinize real estate websites; explore what other Airbnb hosts, lodgings, and local hotels have to offer. Find out whether they use dynamic pricing to update their rates based on various factors like seasonality, upcoming events, weekends versus weekdays, etc. The initial research will help you make the right decisions. Now think about what you can offer to make your guests happy. Is your home stuffed with all modern comforts to ensure a relaxed stay? Is your place pet-friendly? Do you have parking, a swimming pool, or a barbecue zone? Is the interior uniquely decorated? Do you provide extra little surprises for your cherished guests such as bottled water, coffee, sweets, or a free souvenir they can take as a memento? Added sophistication, delight, and comfort renders you the right to safely increase the price for your vacation rental property. Stay sober about your expenses and profits Tally your costs by creating a spreadsheet of expenses that can be divided into three categories: Upfront costs: the things you need to buy to make your spaces comfortable and beautiful before anyone experiences it including renovations, decoration elements, furniture, appliances, and photography. Ongoing costs. These include all items consumable by the guests that you will have to periodically replenish: toilet paper, towels, batteries, light bulbs, personal hygiene supplies, broken dishware, bedding, linen, etc. Management and maintenance costs. Think of the fees for outsourced cleaning, repair works, exterior and lawn upkeep if you are not going to tackle these issues on your own. Be in the loop with your numbers like utility bills, WI-FI, mortgage, and consider them when setting the price for your service. Outsource professional management Running an Airbnb business is a time-consuming and stressful venture, especially when you have to do everything on your own without competent assistants or the second host. You have to deal with bookings, verify guests, restock supplies, arrange cleaning between stays, and maintain everything in working condition to ensure a flawless stay. Just a hell of a work. If you are not very sure about your managerial efficiency, yet, you want your Airbnb enterprise to thrive, hiring a team of professional rental managers can be a smart move. Ask yourself whether you have time and knowledge to cope with the multiple Airbnb fuss and bother on your own, or you can outsource a dedicated and competent Airbnb manager to do all the work on your behalf to free you up and ensure a wonderful customer experience, as this is the manager’s primary job. Reckoning to a well-trained rental manager is also reasonable when you want to have a stable source of income through renting out without breaking local tax laws and housing codes, as the field experts always know how to stay law-abiding, yet, profitable. More about the services of such companies you can read on masterhost.ca. Assess your offer from the guest’s point of view How can you make your guests feel as welcome as possible? Have you considered all the needs your future client may have while staying within your confines? Beginner Airbnb hosts should seriously consider investing in comfortable mattresses, sofas, and quality bedding. The first thing you appreciate in a hotel is the bed’s comfort, so make sure your guests can enjoy a comfortable stay and sleep well on your beds. Very often guests give 5 stars simply because of the great bed, which eventually translates into improved ranking in the Airbnb search results and increased occupancy rates. Provide your guests with perfumery articles in case they forget to take them. To succeed in the Airbnb business, you should have a clear idea of the guest’s wants and wishes. Have you ever thought about why people choose the same hotel over and over again? Because they know what to expect: the feeling that no one has lived in the room before you, carefully folded towels, the smartphone chargers on the bedside table... Guests want every detail to be meticulously considered. Be attentive to the desires of your guests, and they will want to come back to you again and again. Put it on autopilot Hosting isn't easy, given the heap of tasks and arrangements to struggle with. But with modern-day advancements of technology, running an Airbnb company can easily turn into a breeze as you can automate most of the repetitive, time-eating procedures and free your hands for something more important and exciting. There are lots of powerful software solutions and cloud-based apps, either free or pretty affordable, which help to boost the efficiency of short-term vacation property through comprehensive automation of key business processes. These include guest communication, booking management, task allocation, multiple-account management, auto-pricing, guest review writing, and insightful financial reporting and performance statistics.

How Business Owners Can Better Utilize Freelance Work