| Business on the internet requires a good graphic | | | | Here are a few more tips for finding a freelancer for |
| designer and a good writer. Some studies show that | | | | your project: |
| you have less than 9 seconds (and some say a | | | | * Make sure bid proposals provide as much detail as |
| millisecond) to hold a visitor on your site or turn him | | | | possible. Has the freelancer indicated accurate pricing, |
| away. That means you have one shot to impress | | | | what he or she will provide, the turnaround time for |
| anyone who sees your site. Does your site have what | | | | delivery, and terms of payment? |
| it takes? | | | | * Keep an eye out for samples or portfolios. A good |
| Building a website takes some planning and decisions. | | | | freelancer provides samples of his or her work for |
| Relying on your own abilities for graphic design and | | | | you to look over. |
| writing can be an option to save expenses, but unless | | | | * Does the freelancer communicate well? Doing |
| you're very skilled, hiring a professional to do the job is | | | | business is about customer service as much as it is |
| a better idea. A professional will create a better | | | | about skills and talent. |
| website and free your time, so you can focus on other | | | | * Is the freelancer's personality compatible with yours? |
| aspects of your business that need attention. | | | | This is important. If you don't feel comfortable with the |
| Finding a freelancer for your project is easy and free. | | | | freelancer, you're not going to be happy working with |
| There are thousands of freelancers, both writers and | | | | the person on a project. |
| designers, willing to help your website shine over the | | | | * Does the freelancer seem interested? A freelancer |
| masses. Auction sites, such as Elance, can be a good | | | | who is interested and motivated will do a better job. |
| place to find skilled people with the talents you need | | | | Avoid freelancers that sound bored or makes you feel |
| that won't break your budget. | | | | they are doing you a favor. There are no favors in |
| Using an auction site to find freelancers is easy and | | | | freelancing. You're helping the freelancer earn income, |
| free. Gather all the details of your project, sign up, and | | | | and the freelancer is helping you with what you need. |
| post your project on the site. Freelancers search | | | | * Does the freelancer seem competent? Competency |
| through available projects up for bidding and put in a | | | | is important, and so is confidence. Anyone who sounds |
| bid proposal for the jobs they're interested in. You can | | | | unsure or hesitant probably isn't skilled enough for your |
| sift through the freelancers' bid proposals to find a | | | | project. |
| match right for you. | | | | * Is the freelancer polite, and does he or she have |
| Be prepared, though. When you post your project on | | | | good manners? Do they thank you for the opportunity |
| an auction site, be clear about what you need and | | | | to bid and possibly work together? |
| want from the freelancer. If your guidelines or | | | | * Is reply to your communication prompt and within an |
| instructions are vague, then you won't receive | | | | acceptable delay? If you prefer speedy replies, but the |
| accurate bid proposals. | | | | freelancer takes over a day to respond, you're going |
| Also, be prepared to sort through many, many | | | | to end up irritated with the slow contact. |
| proposals to narrow down the freelancer that you'd | | | | * Find out what the freelancer's policy is in case you're |
| like to work with. It can be overwhelming to be faced | | | | not happy with the work provided. You should have |
| with well over 20 proposals when you thought you'd | | | | some form of recourse if you're unsatisfied with the |
| only receive five or six. Set aside some time to sift | | | | final result. |
| through the bid proposals to find a freelancer that you | | | | Remember that freelancers put their best foot |
| like best. | | | | forward to make a good first impression. If you do |
| Another thing to be prepared for is widely varying | | | | select a freelancer to work with but realize that the |
| ranges of freelancers' rates. Auction sites are open to | | | | person isn't a good match after all, you can always |
| international business and thus, there are multi-national | | | | find another freelancer who will suit you better. On the |
| economies that affect bid proposals. Price does not | | | | other hand, if you do find a freelancer you're happy |
| determine quality, and this is even truer on auction sites. | | | | with, hold on to that person; you've just tracked down |
| Try to choose freelancers based on quality of | | | | a valuable tool for your business success. |
| samples first and cost second. | | | | |