When it’s time to hire a freelancer, there’s some do’s and don’ts to know about. You don’t want to be seen or known as the monster client, because freelancers talk to other freelancers. You want to get what you pay for, and of course a freelancer wants to get paid - and paid well, for the work they do to make your brand better.
The truth is, being a freelancer sometimes means having to put up with a lot of nonsense talk. Some of it we can get over fairly quick, but other times, a client doesn’t realize that time is a freelancer’s money. We are a subspecies of humans built for work deadlines. One little sentence can set back our entire day or work flow.
Before you go knocking on a few freelancers’ doors, take into consideration the following feedback from these women working independently in creative fields.
Freelance Designer
We are filing these comments under “Things You Say, But Never Mean and It’s Annoying:”
“Don't say "just a few things..." if you're going to send a large list of edits.”
Freelancers are the most attention to detail people you’ll ever meet (besides doctors). As a client, you should only and always say things you really mean. Be transparent about your expectations and steer clear of nitpicking.
“Don't say that you need something right away, and then give super delayed feedback.” This happens more often than it needs to. A hard Monday morning deadline when in fact you don’t review the work until Friday morning is not immediate. Be considerate of the freelancer’s time.
And “don't forget to pay your invoice (on time). “
Illustrator & Muralist
Don’t lie to a freelancer just to get out of paying the quoted rate. “I was once told I was "cheating" someone if I charged over a certain amount for an illustration.”
A freelancer, especially a creative freelancer will know exactly the value, time and labor that goes into a project. So, bad mouthing doesn’t lower the fee nor will it encourage a freelancer to want to work with you.
”Another thing I hate is when people say that I am lucky. I am lucky in many ways but I also have worked insanely hard to get where I am.” This is a common misused phrase said to many skillful, creative talents. Luck rarely has anything to do with success, unless you’re playing Lotto.
Freelance Designer & Photographer
It’s good to be honest and straightforward with the talk of money. However, there’s a right way and wrong ways to go about it. “Unless this is your initial agreement, it’s best not to say: "We are on a tight budget for this project, but we can offer you credit/exposure on Instagram or comped items in return.” Some clients don’t see the big picture, that being the entirety of social media as the biggest, widest pool of exposure to get your brand’s vision and message out there.
Before even approaching a freelancer you should already know your budget, down to the cents. Then, when you peruse through a freelancer’s website and see past client work can gauge the type of project fee to expect. Plain and simple, if you don’t think you can afford to work with that freelancer, don’t lowball and devalue their expertise and knowledge and more importantly their time.
*Updated June 18, 2023
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