| 1. Would the employer like to set up milestone payments throughout the project? |
| Milestone payments simply mean breaking up the projects into small pieces whereby you complete a certain amount of work by a certain time and receive payment for that allotment of work. It works very well and keeps everything safe and running smoothly. |
| 2. Can you foresee additional work for the project that you haven’t described? |
| Sometimes a project can seem small and simply in the beginning but hurdles along the way can make sometimes make the project much larger and difficult. Find out what really needs to be done and anticipate potential hurdles before they occur. |
| 3. Discuss your hourly rate and what you expect to get paid for the project. |
| Be very clear about how much you charge, how much you anticipate the project will cost the employer and specify how much additional work will be charged at. |
| 4. What is the employer’s max budget for the project? |
| By finding this out, you know to not charge more than this amount and it allows both of you to discuss how much this particular amount will equate in work. It sets up a guideline of how much work you can do for this particular budget. |
| 5. Does the employer have the correct programs to view your work? |
| Take time to explain which software they will need to view the work you send across to them as this will save both of you time and hassle down the track. |
| 6. What is the employers preferred method of communication? |
| Find out if your employer prefers to be contacted by email, phone or (depending where you live in relation to your employer) meeting face to face. |
| 7. What time is it best to contact your employer? |
| By knowing the best time your employer likes to be contacted, you avoid being disappointed at waiting back for a response. |
| 8. When does the project need to be completed by? |
| Knowing this allows you to prioritize your work, check how much you will charge and know how quickly you will have to get organized for the project. |
| 9. Explain what you will need from the employer prior to commencing the project. |
| Every project is different and for some you may require certain information, software o files before you can start. Explain this straight up so that the employer can be ready. |
| 10. Explain your time frame for invoices to be paid. |
| This is very important because an employer can’t simply guess when he or she should pay you. In your invoice, make it clear that you require payment to be made 7 days from a particular date for example or perhaps state that you will not continue the next section of the project until payment is received. |
| 1. Explain the deadline of the project. |
| This helps both you and the freelancer to work towards a particular date. Outsourced projects that do not have a deadline can sometimes go on for weeks if not months which causes a lack of motivation, confusion and frustration. |
| 2. Can the freelancer show you some of his or her previous work? |
| See what your freelancer has done in the past to see if you are happy to hire them. It’s also good to see the work to see if it can correspond to your project. Be aware that some files you request from a freelancer can be confidential to the business they did work for. Please be sensitive to this. |
| 3. Will it help you if your freelancer takes a skills test or has their work verified? |
| You can request that your freelancer has his or work verified for $10 or takes a skills test for $38. |
| 4. Can the project be completed within the budget I pay the freelancer? |
| Let freelancer’s know what your maximum budget is for the entire project or a segment of the project to avoid problems for both you and your freelancer further down the track. |
| 5. What additional costs can your freelancer foresee? |
| Be thorough in the explanation of your project to your freelancer so they can tell you exactly how much it will cost. Because you may not know if you explained your outsourced project perfectly, ask them if they can foresee any additional costs before the work begins. |
| 6. Does your freelancer prefer to work to milestone payments? |
| For larger projects milestone payments simply mean breaking up the projects into small pieces whereby your freelancer completes a certain amount of work by a certain time and you pay him or her for the work done before moving on. It works very well and keeps the freelance project safe and running smoothly. |
| 7. Does your freelancer charge a flat rate or an hourly rate? |
| With a vast array of freelancer profiles to choose from, you may like to approach freelancers and ask for proposals rather than posting a project. Find out from them early on whether they charge a flat rate or hourly rate so that you are not surprised when you receive your invoice. |
| 8. When will your freelancer need payment by? |
| Ask this question even if your freelancer doesn’t address it so that there is no confusion and misunderstandings later on. |
| 9. Does the freelancer have the correct programs for the work you require? |
| Take time to explain what software will be required to get the job done. This will save both of you time and hassle down the track. |
| 10. What is the freelancer’s preferred method of communication and delivery of work? |
| Find out if your freelancer prefers to be contacted by email, phone or (depending where you live in relation to your employer) meeting face to face. Delivery methods could include email, mail, cd/disc or courier. |
