THE EMPLOYER S GUIDE TO HIRING FREELANCERS AND MANAGING OUTSOURCED PROJECTS. Jim Coutu

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "THE EMPLOYER S GUIDE TO HIRING FREELANCERS AND MANAGING OUTSOURCED PROJECTS. Jim Coutu"

Kellie Stevens
7 years ago
Views:

2 THE EMPLOYER S GUIDE TO HIRING FREELANCERS AND MANAGING OUTSOURCED PROJECTS Jim Coutu

3 GatorData Press THE EMPLOYER S GUIDE FOR HIRING FREELANCERS AND MANAGING OUTSOURCED PROJECTS Jim Coutu Copyright 2013 by Jim Coutu. All rights reserved. This book is self-published by the author Jim Coutu under GatorData Press. No parts of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission. This includes reprints, excerpts, photocopying, etc. If you would like to reproduce portions, please seek permission first by contacting us at Published in the United States by GatorData Press ISBN Version

4 Table of Contents Introduction... 3 My Background... 3 Chapter 1: The Process of Outsourcing a Project Why Hire a Freelancer? What Work can be Outsourced? Overview of Outsourcing a Project How do you want to pay the freelancer (Project Type) Write the Project Summary Selecting the Freelancer Escrowing the Money (Optional) Setting the Deadline or Milestones Work Begins Work Submitted / Testing / Feedback Given / Changes Made Work is accepted and the freelancer is paid What is your goal for hiring a freelancer? Chapter 2: Writing an Effective Project Summary What happens when these eight issues are not determined before work begins? Preventing Spam Bids A Much-Improved Project Summary Examples of Bad Project Summary Statements What if you don t know anything? Project Summary Tips for Common Project Types All Projects Websites Windows Software Server Applications Graphics Marketing Mobile Apps... 25

5 Writing Virtual Assistants Chapter 3: Posting the Project Choosing a Freelance Job Site Project Types Fixed Price Hourly Contest Combining Hourly and Fixed Price Projects Summary Attracting Quality Freelancers Length of Project Amount to Charge for the Project Escrow Chapter 4: Bidding - Recognizing Competent Freelancers Before You Hire Them What makes a good freelancer? Freelancer Profiles Overall Rating / Reviews / Reputation Number of Projects Completed Previous Work & Employer Feedback Number of Jobs in Progress Repeat Hire Rate Country of Origin Skills - Areas of Expertise Self-Assessed Skill Ratings Skill Assessments (Tests) Portfolios Additional Information The Bid Amount Bid Comments & Discussion Bid Selection Research Summary... 43

6 Hiring Tips Chapter 5: Working Once the Bid is Accepted The Work Cycle Testing Testing Tips Feedback Feedback Tips Milestones Deadlines Setting the Initial Deadline Why are Freelancer Deadline Estimates Often Wrong? What if changes need to be made to the project? Steps to Take for a Missed Deadline Implicit Deadlines and Zombie Projects Once Work is Completed Summary Chapter 6: Problems Contract Problems Contract Wording Changing the Contract Consideration Arbitration Examples Communication Difficulties Freelancer Not Following Directions Freelancer Not Responding Freelancer Not Uploading Work Communication Styles Deadline Problems Employer Contributions to Deadline Problems Tips to help avoid deadline problems Working with Different Cultures... 64

7 Language Issues Holidays Time Zones Stereotypes Source Files Copyright Issues Copyright Graphics Issues Copyright Issues for Software Copyright Issues for Writing Projects Other Copyright Issues Arbitrations Arbitrations at the Major Freelance job sites Self-Mediation General Strategies for Freelance Job Sites Chargebacks Strategies for Hourly Projects Strategies for Fixed Price Projects Arbitrations Outside the Freelance Job Sites Is arbitration worth it? Freelancer Types Full-Time Freelancers Part-Timers Teams or Agencies New Freelancers Middlemen Freelancer Issues with Employers Freelancers Stealing Work Blackmail Issues Going Offsite Instead of Using a Freelance Job Site Knowing When to Fire a Freelancer Before firing a freelancer Problems Summary Protect Yourself... 79

8 Chapter 7: Summary Acknowledgements Appendix A: Glossary of Terms Appendix B: The Arbitration Process at vworker Arbitration Process A Typical Arbitration The Arbitration Process at Other Freelance job sites Appendix C: Resources Freelance Job Websites Major Freelance Job Sites Specialized Freelance Job Sites Additional Resources Graphics Projects Writing Projects Project Planning Working Testing Licensing Arbitration... 95

Bonus Report: Five Checklists to Make Outsourcing a Breeze

Bonus Report: Five Checklists to Make Outsourcing a Breeze Deanna Maio http://delegatedtodone.com NOTICE: You Do NOT Have the Right to Reprint or Resell this Course! You Also MAY NOT Give Away, Sell or