Non-profits and small businesses often need specialized skills that don’t exist within their staff. You may depend on content creators such as designers, writers, photographers, and videographers to help with your website and other communication channels. Often these outside people aren’t managed very well, and projects can become an unpleasant challenge.
The key to great relationships with outside talent is understanding and empathy. This leads to better project outcomes and less stress throughout the process for all. This prevention shares research I’ve conducted with freelancers through interviews and surveys. Learn what content creators want from management!
8. Who am I?
• UX Specialist, Content Strategist, Author
• I’ve been paid to be all of these freelancers at
one time or another in my life.
• I now often manage these types of freelancers.
Photo courtesy of Advanced Aerial Photography because I would never get in a helicopter, ever.
9. Where did I get my information?
Interviews (10)
1.
2.
Surveys with open-ended questions (54)
3.
Secondary research (online, print publications)
4.
Personal experience (I’ve worn lots of hats.)
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
10. Who have these freelancers worked for?
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
12. What is freelancer experience (FX)?
All interactions a freelancer* has
with you and your organization
while working on a project.
Technology
People
*writer, photographer, videographer, designer, etc.
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
22. Did not lern it on the soccer field
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
23. Exercise
Write down in one sentence a situation you
have at work involving another person that
really bugs you.
If your work life is super smooth right now,
congratulations! Think about a situation with
your spouse, other family member or friend.
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
24. Exercise
• What am I thinking? (hand on head)
(examples: “This person is a jerk! This sucks. How am I going to
meet my deadline now? Lame, lame, lame, lame, lame. I’m
going to give him a piece of my mind, etc.”)
• What am I feeling? (hand on heart)
(examples: anxious, frustrated, upset, worried, irritated,
enraged, alone, tense, discouraged, dominated, lost, uneasy,
etc.)
• What am I needing? (hand on belly)
(examples: consideration, communication, awareness,
participation, cooperation, inclusion, independence, space,
clarity, understanding)
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
29. 1.
Ensure you are speaking the same language
by giving examples, (“elegant” varies).
Graphic Designer Do’s
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
30. Give them the final text because small
changes affect the design.
1.
2.
Ensure you are speaking the same language
by giving examples, (“elegant” varies).
Graphic Designer Do’s
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
31. Give them the final text because small
changes affect the design.
1.
2.
3.
Ensure you are speaking the same language
by giving examples (“elegant” varies).
Graphic Designer Do’s
Provide descriptive feedback with the WHY if
you don’t like something so they can solve it.
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
32. Give them the final text because small
changes affect the design.
1.
2.
3.
Ensure you are speaking the same language
by giving examples, (“elegant” varies).
4.
Great design isn’t quick, e.g. logos cannot be
made in 2 hours.
Graphic Designer Do’s
Provide descriptive feedback with the WHY if
you don’t like something so they can solve it.
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
33. Give them the final text because small
changes affect the design.
1.
2.
3.
Ensure you are speaking the same language
by giving examples, (“elegant” varies).
4.
Great design isn’t quick, e.g. logos cannot be
made in 2 hours.
Graphic Designer Do’s
Provide descriptive feedback with the WHY if
you don’t like something so they can solve it.
5.
Organize feedback (14 emails in 1 day = not OK)
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
36. Give clear instructions and expectations.
1.
2.
Talk to them in person or on the phone.
Writer Do’s
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
37. Give clear instructions and expectations.
1.
2.
Talk to them in person or on the phone.
3.
Compensate them well or at least fairly for
their time.
Writer Do’s
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
38. Give clear instructions and expectations.
1.
2.
Talk to them in person or on the phone.
3.
Compensate them well or at least fairly for
their time.
4.
Realize that sitting on a project will delay it.
Writer Do’s
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
40. Discuss (and have) a goal for the video.
1.
Videographer Do’s
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
41. Discuss (and have) a goal for the video.
1.
2.
Know that tiny video changes take time due to
exporting, compressing, and uploading video.
Videographer Do’s
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
42. Discuss (and have) a goal for the video.
1.
2.
Know that tiny video changes take time due to
exporting, compressing, and uploading video.
3.
Give videographers a clear deadline.
Videographer Do’s
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
43. Discuss (and have) a goal for the video.
1.
2.
Know that tiny video changes take time due to
exporting, compressing, and uploading video.
3.
Give videographers a clear deadline.
4.
Be organized, great videos are the result of
careful planning not shooting on the fly.
Videographer Do’s
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
45. Understand the image and look you want.
1.
Photographer Do’s
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
46. Understand the image and look you want.
1.
2.
Be clear on how and where you are going to
use the images taken.
Photographer Do’s
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
47. Understand the image and look you want.
1.
2.
Be clear on how and where you are going to
use the images taken.
3.
Be specific about needs and ask questions.
Photographer Do’s
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
48. Understand the image and look you want.
1.
2.
Be clear on how and where you are going to
use the images taken.
3.
Be specific about needs and ask questions.
4.
Expect that editing photos will take time. No,
you won’t get them tomorrow.
Photographer Do’s
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
52. Be collaborative to get a better final product.
1.
All Freelancer Do’s
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
53. Be collaborative to get a better final product.
1.
2.
Look at past work to see if you and the
freelancer are a good match.
All Freelancer Do’s
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
54. Be collaborative to get a better final product.
1.
2.
Look at past work to see if you and the
freelancer are a good match.
3.
Do not add to their “To Do” list without
expecting to pay more.
All Freelancer Do’s
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
55. Be collaborative to get a better final product.
1.
2.
Look at past work to see if you and the
freelancer are a good match.
3.
Do not add to their “To Do” list without
expecting to pay more.
4.
Respond promptly with feedback to stick to
the agreed upon schedule.
All Freelancer Do’s
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
56. Be collaborative to get a better final product.
1.
2.
Look at past work to see if you and the
freelancer are a good match.
3.
Do not add to their “To Do” list without
expecting to pay more.
4.
Respond promptly with feedback to stick to
the agreed upon schedule.
All Freelancer Do’s
Ensure they don’t have to track down
payments.
5.
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G
57. Be collaborative to get a better final product.
1.
2.
Look at past work to see if you and the
freelancer are a good match.
3.
Do not add to their “To Do” list without
expecting to pay more.
4.
Respond promptly with feedback to stick to
the agreed upon schedule.
All Freelancer Do’s
Ensure they don’t have to track down
payments.
5.
Have one contact/point person for the project.
6.
@melissa_egg #16NCT4G