The Ultimate Guide to Building a Successful and Productive Remote Team of Freelancers

Building a remote team of freelancers can be tricky, especially if you're not familiar with the process. Whether you're just getting started or are looking for best practices for finding and managing freelancers from all over the world, check out the following guide.

First Things First

Before hiring your freelancing team, there are some administrative to-dos you’ll need to take care of. The first item is making sure your business is set up correctly with the state of Illinois so you can bring on extra help. Creating an LLC in Illinois ensures the state has legally approved you to run a business, including bringing on part-time, full-time, and freelance employees. Plus, you’ll enjoy tax advantages and have personal protection of your assets in the event your company is ever sued.

You should also have at least a basic accounting system set up via an employee, a CPA service, or a software program. This will simplify the process of paying your workers and will give you a better idea of your cash flow so you’ll know just how many new hires you can take on.

Finding Freelancers

Online Job Boards

Online job boards are great places to find talented individuals with various skill sets. They give you access to a large pool of potential candidates, and they make it easy to compare prices, delivery times, and reviews. When posting a project, include as many details as possible. That way, you receive proposals only from freelancers who are a good fit.

Hiring an Agency

For more complex tasks or projects that need to be completed quickly and that require multiple freelancers with different skills, consider hiring an agency. Agencies manage teams of freelancers and handle all behind-the-scenes work, like project management, payment, and communication. For example, by looking into direct marketing agencies, you could work toward your business's marketing goals without having to source and manage the freelancers yourself.

Choosing the Right Freelancers

All freelancers are not created equal. When selecting a freelancer, consider the following:

• Skills and experience. What skills and experience does the freelancer have? Do they have a strong portfolio or track record?

• Communication. Can the freelancer communicate effectively in your desired language? Do they respond quickly to messages?

• Availability. Is the freelancer available to work on your project full-time or part-time? Do they have any other commitments that might interfere with their work?

• Location. Is the freelancer located in a time zone that makes communication and collaboration easy?

Communicating with Freelancers

Means of communication could include the following:

• Email. Email is a great way to share project updates, documents, and files.

• Project management tools. Tools like Asana, Trello, and Basecamp allow you to create to-do lists, assign tasks to your team members, set deadlines, and track progress. They also make it easy to share files and collaborate on projects. 

• Videoconferencing. Face-to-face meetings can be an effective way to build rapport and get to know your team members.

Paying Freelancers

There are a few different ways to pay freelancers:

• PayPal. PayPal is a popular option for paying freelancers. It's quick, easy, and secure. Plus, most freelancers already have a PayPal account. According to one survey, 70% of respondents noted that their employers pay them via PayPal.

• Bank transfer. You can also pay freelancers using a bank transfer. This is a popular option for European employers.

• Other methods. Don't forget about wire transfer, check, or cash.

Provide Career Development

One of the best ways to retain top talent is to provide opportunities for career development. This could include:

• Offering mentorship programs

• Paying for online courses or conferences

• Providing opportunities to lead projects

By investing in your team's development, you'll show them you're committed to their growth. This will help build a sense of loyalty and commitment to your company.

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