The key to running a business effectively is knowing how you establish relationships with other people. Now, so many companies outsource their skills to contractors and freelancers, the onus has been on the entrepreneur to be as amiable and accommodating to freelancers and contractors as possible. But, the temptation to treat a contractor or freelancer as second fiddle to permanent employees is easy, but it doesn’t help to establish a proper working relationship with a freelancer. So how can you do this?

Schedule Check-Ups

Communication is vital to having an effective working relationship, so by scheduling regular catch ups with these freelancers, either via video call or Skype, you can ensure that they are on the same page as you. If you don’t want to be so hands-on, there are document sharing tools, like Google Docs, where you can give notes and feedback on to a freelancer’s project.

Look For Feedback From The Freelancer

To ensure that the door swings both ways as far as communication is concerned, looking for feedback from a freelancer gives you important notes on how to progress with freelancers and contractors in the future. And while it’s something that benefits you more after a project is done, if you can implement this into the company culture prior to hiring a freelancer, this is going to benefit you a lot more throughout the process. But, it’s also going to help the freelancer, as they will feel more relaxed, and more inclined to speak up if they feel there’s an issue, rather than keeping quiet so they can get paid.

Choose Your Freelancers Carefully

This is a very difficult approach because if you’re looking for the right person, it’s important to do enough research into a freelancer’s past experience, which can be done by asking for a portfolio or references. But you need to make sure that you are watertight as far as the working process is concerned. So it’s best to hire someone who has an inherent knowledge of the freelancer process, so they can slot right into the working format. A lot of this is to do with the Statement Of Work as well as signed contracts. You can find more at The Weisblatt Law Firm for information on contract drafting, but by picking people with this professional experience, rather than gambling on a novice, will help you to develop a good quality product.

Be More Than A Boss

Instead of just being a person who barks orders, try to be a mentor instead. To build a lasting relationship with a freelancer, by providing proper resources for them to work, you are going to get better results from them, and they are going to engage with the process much more. It sounds simple, but this is where your knowledge of relationships is going to serve you well. Being a manager isn’t just about telling people what to do and where to go, especially when it comes to hiring freelancers. These people have a unique insight and are free from the company process to actually give you truthful opinions as to if you’re doing a good job and doing the best for your business. So, the next time you work with a freelancer, don’t underestimate them!