This has been an unprecedented year for businesses and many have been forced to let staff go due to monetary losses from lock down and the impact of Covid. These cuts have left many businesses short-staffed and without expertise in areas they might need but cannot afford to pay full time. Once furlough ended, unfortunately, many companies were forced to let skilled workers go and just can’t afford to bring them back.
If this has happened to your firm or business and you find yourself with an urgent project or task to complete but without the staff members to do it, it could be worth looking into a freelancer. Not only are they great for short notice projects, but can also save you a lot of money along the way.
Why hire a freelancer for your company
Freelancers are a great choice for many reasons, no matter if your business is in marketing, construction such as building steel frame houses, or a product manufacturing company. But why are they so great?
No permanent overhead and other expenses
The first reason is that you don’t have the permanent overhead. You simply set a rate for the job you need completing and can add this to your budget. Once the job is done, you don’t need to pay them anymore. You also don’t need to pay any costs that you usually have to for full-time employees such as insurance, sick pay, or holiday pay. It is down to the freelancer themselves to sort their own tax and travel and as they can work remotely, you don’t need to pay for the extra electricity or equipment required in an office.
Pick of the best
Another reason is that you have the pick of the pile so can hire the best candidate for that particular job. Freelancers are often specialised and experienced in their field so know how to achieve the best results for your business. If you need a new website or brochure created for example, they will know how to get this done quickly and successfully. You can choose from a pool of applicants and find which one is best for each task you require.
Negotiable Rates
Freelancers also have negotiable rates. It is important to speak to them and discuss their rates, if they offer any discounts and if they can be put on something such as a retainer for long term projects. This way you will know exactly what they will cost upfront and can budget for this. You will be able to look through different portfolios ahead of hiring and choose the best candidate for you.
In a time when resources and money are tighter than ever for a business, hiring a freelancer is a great way to get around it. By looking into it and hiring short term help, it is one way you can try and cut down on costs in the short term. You may find that it is so successful that you continue to us freelancers well into the future, incorporating them into your long term plan too.
