Valuing a freelancer.
Freelancers should be treated as part of the in-house team.
Agree or disagree?
It’s a tricky one and will largely depend on your company and how and why you use a freelancer.
I’ve been a freelancer for four and a half years now and each client requires me to work different. For some, I am part of their TEAMS chats and groups, for some I have regular meetings, for others I have my own email address for their company and for some, I hear from them every now and again when they need something. As a freelancer, flexibility is the name of the game when keeping multiple clients happy. But what about me? What do I need?
Feedback and communication. For me, this simple act is imperative in how a relationship between a freelancer and client is managed.
Here’s why.
Keeps the project on point – at the end of the day the freelancer is there to do a job. We know this, and you know this. By feeling part of the team, the freelancer will naturally be more focused on that project and can implement any feedback quickly. Just like permanent members of staff, if you invest in them, they will reward you.
Reassuring – imposter syndrome or the feeling of thinking we are not talented enough is felt high numbers by freelancers on a regular basis. A call, email or text will go a long way in reassuring your freelancer that they are valued. Freelancers are human beings and sometimes need support. Your communication gives them that.
Maintains the relationship – especially in uncertain times like these where the threat of budget cuts could lead to job losses and contracts being terminated, our professional relationships are going to be tested. Out of sight, out of mind is not a fair way to treat a freelancer. You also never know when you may need to bring that freelancer back. If they feel valued and included, they will want to work with you again.
And a final word about feedback.
As a freelancer, feedback is so important, and it goes hand in hand with being treated as part of the team. Yes, we can use it on our websites and on social media to raise our profiles (that’s what we’d tell our clients to do) but it’s more personal than that.
Feedback does not have to be pages and pages of text and it can come in different forms – tracked changes on a document, an email, a call or event a quick text to say how the project is going. Whatever form it is, it’s imperative that a client does this small act for their freelancer – I promise the relationship will be better for it.
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About The Author
BeckyAttwood
BeckyAttwood
Hi there! I am Becky Attwood, a PR, media and communications professional with over 15 years of experience. Got a story to tell? Then I can help you tell it.
Hi there! I am Becky Attwood, a PR, media and communications professional with over 15 years of experience. Got a story to tell? Then I can help you tell it.
