Question: What is one way I can vet a potential freelancer's reliability before I contract him or her?
Test in Small Doses
"Give someone a short-term project and a limited number of hours to demonstrate their talent, expediency, professionalism and communication style. Before you give them anything that matters, use this technique to ensure your values are aligned. At RTC, we often test a number of people to find the superstars and then slowly add them to our workflow by giving them larger and larger responsibilities."
@CoreyBlake9000
Do a Small Project First
"A great way to test and see if a potential freelance hire is the right fit for your company's needs is to provide a small project for him or her first. A resume can tell you many things and a portfolio can provide helpful examples of work. However, the best way to see how an individual's work could benefit your brand in particular is to start with a small project and see the results for yourself."
@DoreenBloch
Check Undocumented References
"I very rarely stop at the references a freelancer or potential employee provides me. Instead I dig further via LinkedIn or social media to locate a person who has worked with the candidate before. Asking for "off the record" feedback from individuals about what it is really like to work with someone has provided me with great insight over the years -- both negative and positive!"
@kimkaupe
Test the Waters
"Before you fully dive in, consider commissioning them for a small project. Clearly explain your expectations in terms of availability, response time, due dates, etc., then see if they are the right one for the bigger task at hand. If time is of the essence, ask for a reference."
@KickAshMady
Weigh Your Communications
"I’ve learned to put a lot of weight in the way freelancers communicate before any work is offered, test projects included. Did they copy and paste their job bid or write you something custom? Did they explain their approach or only their fees? Measuring the time and effort they put into communication can be a good gauge of their work ethic overall."
@SpiralStair
Work With Them Multiple Times
"Contract out the same small job to 10 freelancers. Pick the best four and contract another job out to them. Then pick your winner. To get the real story on how reliable they are, you have to work with them first. It's not ideal, but that's the way it is (unless they come highly recommended from someone you trust)."
@davidhenzel
Use a Reputable Company
"I recommend relying on a company with a solid reputation and a variety of specialized freelancers. The company should offer a guarantee to cover you in case of any problems."
@aatanacio
