Tech Recipe: 💊💪📈 Supplementing Your Workforce using Freelance Platforms

Background:

As a business owner, you have to be ready for anything every single day. Managing shifting priorities and time is a constant challenge. Sometimes this means that routine, procedural tasks that “should” get done may get delayed. From administrative tasks like updating spreadsheets with order information to making sales cold calls, these things add up but may not add up to hiring full time staff. 

Enter software companies. There are freelance marketplaces that allow you to find skilled professionals for specific tasks or projects. It could be data migration, repetitive administrative work, or even managing emails and calendars. This recipe guides you through different platforms to help you supplement your workforce efficiently and cost-effectively.

Ingredients (Overview of Platforms):

1. Upwork:

• A global freelancing platform where businesses and independent professionals connect and collaborate remotely. It features a broad range of job categories from web development to customer support, making it suitable for various project needs.

2. Toptal:

• Focused on connecting clients with the top 3% of freelance talent across the globe. It is ideal for businesses looking for highly skilled professionals for complex projects that may require specific expertise.

3. Fiverr:

• A platform especially useful for smaller tasks or projects on a tight budget. It was started with the idea that business owners, or people, wanted something quick for $5.

4. Gigster:

• If you’re looking to build an application or other software project, definitely look at Gigster. It is focused on software projects and connecting you with qualified development teams.

5. Freelancer:

• Similar to Upwork, Freelancer allows businesses to post projects and receive bids from freelancers worldwide. It's a versatile platform suitable for a wide range of projects.

6. OceansXYZ:

• More of a hiring platform, Oceans connects you with someone you can hire on a recurring basis. Currently covering 3 core business functions: executive assistants, sales and marketing, accounting and finance. They do have an advanced option where they can help find someone with the specific skills you need. Use Oceans if you know you want someone for the foreseeable future.

Cooking Instructions:

1. Choose the Right Platform:

• As listed out above, each platform has their audience, pros, cons, and pricing as well.

• If you know it’s software or tech related you may want to be on multiple platforms like Upwork, Toptal, and Gigster. For smaller projects you can extract a lot of value from Fiverr.

2. Define Project Scope, Budget and Requirements:

• Whether a project hire or something more recurring, the more clarity you can provide, the greater likelihood of success. For example saying the project is for “cold sales outreach” can mean different things to different people. If you want someone to design and execute the outreach, say so. If you have a working process and need someone to run it, that’s a very different type of person. 

• Set a budget and stick to it. Chances are you can find someone who is hiring for something similar to your project. You get what you pay for.

3. Post Your Project:

• Create a detailed project post on your chosen platform(s). Each platform will ask you to categorize the job in addition to posting your detailed description.

4. Evaluate Proposals and Freelancers:

• As you receive quotes or inquiries, you’ll be able to review the person’s profiles and past projects. Check their ratings, previous work, and reviews to gauge their reliability and quality of work.

5. Interview Top Candidates:

• While they may not be joining the team full time, they will be doing important work. Conduct interviews with your top candidates. Be sure to focus on expectations, discuss the project details and assess their understanding and ability to execute.

6. Hire and Onboard:

• Once you’ve selected a freelancer, onboard them by sharing all necessary project details, tools, and access they might need to start working effectively.

7. Manage and Communicate Regularly:

• As you would with any employee working for you, maintain regular communication with them to monitor progress and direction. Remember this person doesn’t know your core business, with regular check-ins you can avoid surprises at the end of the engagement.

• Consider using project management tools to track milestones and deliverables. Even a Gantt chart in Excel is better than tons of emails back and forth. It also leaves you a trail to follow the journey of the project which is important for the next step…

8. Review and Close the Project:

• Even if you are in regular, constant contact, be sure to take time to review the final product. Once you submit the final payment these platforms do make it difficult to get back. Reference your initial requirements, any communications during the project, and any updates or changes. Be very thorough.

Using these platforms effectively you can supplement your workforce with very talented folks working on impactful areas. This will free up management time to focus on the core business. The global freelance marketplace can enhance your operational efficiency and keep costs under control.