Unlocking the Power of Remote Talent: Maximizing Project Success with Freelancers and Contractors

Discover the Advantages of Hiring Independent Remote Workers for Your Team

Is your remote company taking advantage of the benefits of collaborating with remote freelancers? Contract, freelance, and gig workers now make up 46.5% of the global workforce, and this number is expected to rise [*]. Many companies are leveraging independent workers for various reasons, including greater access to specialized skills, consistent work quality, efficient turnover and time-to-hire management, and lower labor costs [*].

If your team hasn’t tapped into the power of remote contractors yet, it’s time to reconsider. In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of using remote freelancers on a per-project basis and provide a step-by-step strategy for success.

Let’s begin with a quick overview of the advantages of hiring remote workers for specific projects:

6 Benefits Of Using Remote Workers On a Per-Project Basis

Freelance or contract remote talent refers to independent workers who offer their skills and expertise to organizations on a temporary basis. They are not full-time employees but are hired as needed for specific projects or time-based contracts. 

Here are the benefits of hiring remote workers on a per-project basis or limited contract:

An expert contractor can step in when required, complete the job according to your specifications, and then sign off until their services are needed again. There is no obligation to retain independent workers after they finish their scope of work.

Working with remote contractors for specific projects can be highly cost-effective and low-risk compared to hiring full-time remote employees. 

Freelancers usually work on an agreed-upon project fee or hourly rate, which is more budget-friendly for short-term projects. It is easier for organizations to budget for this one-time expense than for all the costs associated with hiring a new employee.

Global labor shortages have made it challenging for organizations to find candidates with specialized skills or expertise in niche areas.

However, you don’t have to offer top-tier salaries to attract this talent to your organization. 

You can entice specialized remote freelancers with interesting projects and the opportunity to showcase their work in their portfolio or website. 

By leveraging their expertise for your project requirements, you can benefit from their skills while they attract more clients for their freelance business with your positive recommendation. 

It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Remote freelancers are accustomed to working independently and are experienced in joining projects quickly and seamlessly. They already possess the necessary skills, expertise, and tools to perform at the highest standards. 

Working with professional remote freelancers or contractors is effortless.

These self-employed professionals are often highly motivated, disciplined, and self-directed. They have their own work routines, tools, and processes to maximize productivity.

Your team leaders and managers can focus more on clients and projects rather than day-to-day management tasks.

The global remote freelancer market offers a wide talent pool of professionals with diverse expertise.

Bringing in remote contractors from different backgrounds and locations can infuse your projects with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. Their varied experiences and approaches to problem-solving will spark creativity and drive innovation within your team. 

Before seeking remote freelancers, take the time to clearly define the project scope and goals with everyone involved. 

• Goals, objectives, and desired outcomes
• Specific tasks that need to be accomplished
• Deliverables 
• Milestones, timelines for check-ins, and deadlines
• Feasible expectations
• Payment terms

Be realistic and specific to prevent misunderstandings and scope creep.

2. Craft a Compelling Project Description

Your project description should highlight the unique aspects of your project and showcase the exciting opportunities of partnering with your team. It should help freelancers understand what you’re looking for, whether they’re qualified, and what they can expect from working together.

Use a keyword-specific title that freelancers will search for, such as “experienced web designer” instead of “UI/UX superhero.”

• The tasks or deliverables
• How their work will contribute to your organization
• Preferred skills and experience
• Relevant tools and software
• Eligibility criteria for bidding on the project
• Target deadline
• Payment terms
• What sets your company apart
• Any other relevant details

Here’s an example of an excellent project description for contract web designers:

Are you a web design wizard? We’re seeking a brilliant freelance remote web designer to collaborate with us on a makeover. You’ll have the opportunity to transform our online presence, create a visually stunning and user-friendly website for our 1M monthly visitors, and make our competitors green with envy. We value creativity, attention to detail, a keen understanding of our brand, and experience with UI/UX, HTML, and web design tools.

We aim to launch our new website by [month/year]. Payment will be submitted upon completion via PayPal or Venmo. Anyone can apply by submitting a cover letter and portfolio of their digital masterpieces. We look forward to checking out your pixel perfection!

With numerous freelancer marketplaces, job boards, and specialized platforms available, it’s crucial to select the right platform to find the best remote talent for your projects.

Sites like Upwork and Fiverr may attract less experienced professionals with low rates, but the quality of work may not meet your expectations.

For reliable access to talented remote professionals, consider using We Work Remotely, the largest remote work community in the world. Our remote job board receives over 4.5M visitors, and you can easily post both full-time and contract remote jobs using our free Remote Job Posting Template.

The hardest part will be choosing the right candidate from the pool of talented professionals.

4. Evaluate Each Candidate’s Skills and Experience

Once you receive applications, gather your team to carefully evaluate the skills and experience of potential candidates. Review their portfolios, work samples, and client testimonials to gain insights into their capabilities and track record. 

5. Foster Trust, Collaboration, & Communication

Building trust is crucial when working with remote freelancers on a freelance basis. 

• Set asynchronous communication expectations. Freelancers are not your employees and should not be expected to participate in daily stand-ups or weekly meetings unless they choose to. However, regular check-ins are still important. Define your communication expectations, including preferred channels, response times, and availability.
• Invite them to your team’s project manager. This platform allows freelancers to submit updates, track milestones and deliverables, improve collaboration, and ask questions with complete visibility.
• Provide feedback. Recognizing their efforts helps build strong relationships and ensures desired outcomes.

By taking these steps, you can empower your remote contractors to perform their best and feel like valued contributors to your success. This positive experience will make everyone eager to work together again in the future.

As we’ve discussed, remote freelancers and independent contractors offer numerous advantages for your business. By finding the right balance between remote freelancers/contractors and full-time remote employees, you can optimize your workforce and thrive.