Contractors and Freelancers: Why You Need Them, How

Contractors and Freelancers: Why You Need Them, How to Find Them

Most virtual corporations choose to work with freelance contractors rather than hire permanent employees. There is less paperwork involved, and you don't have to pay Social Security, Medicare or unemployment taxes for contractors. Additionally, nearly every industry has a pool of freelancers who specialize in performing the services you need. As long as you are careful in hiring a contractor, their services can be extremely helpful in keeping your virtual corporation running smoothly.

Freelancers and contractors are available for just about any aspect of your business you can imagine. There are freelance writers who specialize in web copy; graphic designers to create and maintain web sites; companies that create and launch advertising campaigns; general and market research specialists; optimization and search engine submission companies; toll-free call center services...the list is endless. When you decide which area you need help in, you can then look for a contractor whose area of expertise matches your needs.

Many freelance contractors advertise their availability on job boards and classified sites. Most have a web site where you can view samples of their work or find out who some of their previous clients have been. One helpful method of determining which contractors you should look into is to find out the going rate for that particular freelance service and seek out those who charge close to it. There is usually no need to pay more than the competitive rate; and those who undercharge might offer a lower quality service. However, their work samples may prove otherwise, and in any case you should go with a contractor who will give you what you're looking for.

Often it is to your benefit to let freelancers come to you rather than seek one out yourself. It is far easier and makes for a better working relationship to sort through qualified candidates who are already interested in the job you're offering. Placing an effective job advertisement will bring you plenty of contractors to choose from.

Whenever you deal with a freelancer, it is important to have a contract for their services. This can be a simple document that states what work the contractor has agreed to do, how much you are paying them for it, when the work will be completed, and how the finished project will be delivered (via e-mail; printed and snail mailed; uploaded to your web site). Often, a verbal agreement is not enough to protect you if something goes wrong and the freelancer is unable to deliver a completed project.

Wording Your Job Advertisement

Placing an ad for your job opening on an internet job board or classified ad site is a great way to find just the person you're looking for, whether you need an employee or a contractor. Unlike a newspaper or magazine classified ad, most online job advertisements allow unlimited word space to describe your open position or project. Generally, employers do not pay for internet classified ads, as those who run sites that specialize in job listings charge the users in return for allowing employers to post. In order to ensure you received targeted, qualified responses, there are a few guidelines you should follow in writing your ad.
* It's not a classified ad, it's a marketing tool. Approach writing your job advertisement as you would a sales letter for your product. Remember, you are "selling" a position with your company, and it should sound desirable. Be descriptive! You can either tout the benefits of working for you, or try a little humor and reverse psychology: "Open position for a virtual slave to do all my drudge work so I can make money for both of us. If you're willing to glue a phone to your ear and type your fingers off, apply now."
* Make your job title headline news. Which position would you rather apply for: "Secretary" or "Virtual Administrative Assistant Working from Your Own Home"? Most online job boards list posts as a series of links to the full description of the position, named whatever you submit as your job title. By making the title of your advertisement sound like a spectacular employment opportunity, you will have more people clicking your link and more applicants to choose from.
* Be Specific. The more detail you use in describing your job opening or freelance project, the more likely you will be to receive replies from qualified applicants. Spell out exactly what you expect from the person you will hire, how the work will be performed, whether there are any benefits or bonuses, and if further opportunities for freelancers will arise in the future. However, too much detail can also harm your results; long posts may seem intimidating or daunting to online job seekers. A good rule of thumb is to keep job listings under 500 words. Remember to include your contact information-if they can't find you, they can't apply for the job!