Remote Freelancers and Contractors: Leveraging Remote Talent on a Project Basis

Explore the benefits of adding independent remote workers to your team, then use our 5-step strategy to find the top talent you need ASAP. 

[image source]

Does your remote company collaborate with remote freelancers?

Contract, freelance, and gig workers now make up 46.5% of the global workforce — a stat expected to rise and potentially define the future of work [*].

According to one report, the top reasons companies leverage independent workers include [*]:

If your team hasn’t harnessed the power of remote contractors, we bet you’ll change your game plan after reading this guide.

We’re exploring the benefits of using remote freelancers on a per-project basis and sharing a step-by-step strategy to ensure total success.

Let’s dive in with a quick rundown of:

Freelance or contract remote talent includes independent workers who temporarily provide organizations with their skills and expertise. They’re not company employees; they’re hired on-demand to work on a specific project or time-based contract. 

The benefits of hiring remote workers on a per-project basis or limited contract include:

Remote freelancers and contractors give your organization the freedom to develop and scale your team up or down. You can access specialized skills and expertise precisely when you need them — without the long-term commitment of hiring full-time employees.

For example, being able to quickly adjust your workforce comes in handy for times when:

An expert contractor can step in as-needed, get the job done to your specifications, then sign off until you request their services again. You’re not obliged to retain independent workers after they finish their scope of work.

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

Depending on the laws in your region, organizations usually save on expenses like PTO, employee benefits, taxes, onboarding, and other overhead costs.

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

Staggering global labor shortages are forcing many organizations to compete for in-demand candidates with specialized skills or expertise in niche areas.

But you don’t have to budget for top-tier salaries to lure this talent to your organization. 

[image source]

You can attract specialized remote freelancers with interesting, well-paying projects and a testimonial for their portfolio or website. 

You’ll get to leverage their expertise for your project requirements, and they’ll get to attract more clients for their freelance biz with your glowing recommendation. 

It’s a win-win for everyone.

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

This makes your virtual onboarding process much faster than hiring and training full-time remote employees.

Managing a high-performing remote team is no easy task. 

Working with professional remote freelancers or contractors? An effortless endeavor.

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

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

The ever-growing global remote freelancer market is a wide talent pool of professionals with a vast range of expertise.

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

[image source]

Hiring for diversity of thought is especially valuable for companies looking to disrupt established norms or break into new markets.

Plus, if you hire remote workers in different time zones than your full-time team, you’ll double productive work hours to meet deliverables ASAP.

Learning how to hire remote workers on a contract or per-project basis differs slightly from hiring full-time remote employees. Set yourself up for success by following these tips:

Before embarking on your quest for remote freelancers, take the time to clearly define the project scope and goals with everyone who will be involved. 

A well-defined project scope helps attract the right talent and ensures smooth, productive collaboration with your existing crew.

Here’s a checklist of items to outline in your scope of work:

Be as realistic and specific as possible here. Thinking ahead will prevent misunderstandings and scope creep later on.

Just like writing a remote job listing that sells, crafting a compelling project description plays a vital role in attracting the best remote talent for your project.

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

Your project description should then explain:

[image source]

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

With the remote gig life so hot right now, dozens of freelancer marketplaces, job boards, and specialized platforms exist to help teams discover the perfect fit for their projects. But you have to know where to go to find the best talent.

Sites like Upwork and Fiverr are popular watering holes for less experienced professionals. These freelancers attract clients with super low rates, but the quality of work you’ll receive may leave much to be desired.

That’s why choosing a reliable platform with a steady following of talented remote professionals is best.

We Work Remotely is the largest remote work community in the world. Our remote job board receives over 4.5M visitors. And you can post both full-time and contract remote jobs in a jiffy — especially if you take advantage of our free Remote Job Posting Template.

The hardest part won’t be writing your contract remote job listing but deciding which stellar candidate to choose.

Once the applications start rolling in, round up your team to carefully evaluate the skills and experience of potential candidates. Review their portfolios, work samples, and client testimonials/feedback to gain insights into their capabilities and track record. 

Don’t hesitate to research further, conduct remote interviews, or request additional information to ensure the best possible fit for your project. You want to be 100% confident they have the necessary skills and experience.

Trust is one of the biggest challenges of using remote workers on a freelance basis. 

In the US, the IRS states that the payer or employer cannot control the work and services performed by independent contractors [*]. Once you outline the project scope and expectations, you must trust your chosen collaborator to deliver to the best of their abilities.

To build trust, collaboration, and communication between your team and your freelance remote workers, it helps to:

Take these steps, and your remote contractors will have the autonomy they need to perform their best and feel like valued contributors to your success. Then everyone will look forward to working together again in the future.

As we dished today, remote freelancers and independent contractors offer a ton of advantages for your business. But to leverage them for ultimate gains, you must consider your team’s specific project needs, budget, and long-term goals. 

Finding the right balance between remote freelancers/contractors and hiring full-time remote employees will empower your organization to optimize its workforce and thrive.