rules for freelancers/subcontractors

[Stan Zaslavsky]

hi there,

just wondering if anybody has set up a list of rules that their subcontractors/freelancers have to abide by?

 

i'm just starting to use freelancers and finding the experience differing from time to time - sometimes its excellent and other times not so great.

 

any tips and hints on working with freelancers aside from the usual ones?

[ihabkal]

I worked as a freeleancer for some of the major US firms, but only got rules outlined in a PDF file from one. I don't think I can send it to you, but I think that you will work with many until you find someone that you are comfortable with and then it will be a relationship that lasts for years. it is improbable that each and every freelancer will make you happy, just one or two out of dozens will work for you in a way that the relationship is priceless.

[Dave Buckley]

stan

 

would you mind detailing what your a finding great and not so great?

 

could be useful for aspiring freelancers

 

chhers

[kippu]

stan once you get a good freelancer , stick with him ...its hard to build a rapport and then find someone new

[Tommy L]

stan once you get a good freelancer , stick with him ...its hard to build a rapport and then find someone new

 

Quoted for agreement. Good freelancers are worth treating well. Pay them well and be courteous. I work with a few guys from time to time. I stick with the good ones and they stick with me.

I pay over the going rate so that I know I will be a priority should they get swamped.

[siliconbauhaus]

Because most of my work is modelling for people who do renderings I'm in a bit of a niche. As a freelancer, I do my best to keep everyone happy. If this means staying up all night because I have multiple concurrent deadlines then so be it. I have been fortunate so far in that every relationship I've had with people they keep coming back.

 

With the way the economy is at the moment, anyone who throws a gig my way gets the 5 star treatment. I'm just hoping for more to come.

[Stan Zaslavsky]

thanks for the replies everyone - its very helpful. i have been fortunate to get a lot of work and now i'm getting extra stuff coming from referrals and this is where i'm finding - either i turn it away or get extra help. so finding those really good freelancers is a key.

 

my most important criteria for a freelancer is communication - if i know what's going on - then i can relay that to a client, and if i'm in the dark, the client starts getting nervous and that can have dramatic negative impact on my starting business. so prompt and regular updates of where the jobs are at is vital.

 

the great benefit of using quality freelancers is - that the clients get really good work because typically the freelancer has skills above and beyond mine - so the clients are impressed and i get to learn too. so from that side of things - its been a huge kickstart for me (regardless of the fees paid).

 

and kippu - you are absolutely right - its finding the good quality freelancer that will be available when i need it and willing to do whatever it takes to finish the job on time - that person is worth its weight in gold. (as long as my budget can afford it:))

 

thanks again for your input