🚩 Red flags when hiring freelancers

Whether you are a freelancer yourself, or you hire freelancers, it is worthwhile knowing which red flags to look out for.

This is a great Twitter thread with some solid gold responses so you know what to look out for.

My favourite red flags mentioned:

1. Poor communication skills

   1. This was the most common answer by far. More details in the thread.

      
      

2. Misses deadlines, inaccurate turnaround time estimates.

   1. Always give your self “buffer” room. Underpromise and overdeliver.

      
      

3. Doesn’t ask clarifying questions about the scope/project.

   1. How can you deliver value if you don’t know what the specific client values?

      
      

4. No portfolio of past work or portfolio is scarce on details.

   1. SHOW you have solved their problem before.

      
      

5. No website at all.

   1. It is so cheap and easy to have a website now. Try Carrd.co or 60sec.site

      
      

6. Bad mouths past employers / clients.

   1. Like talking about a “crazy ex”, all is does it make others trust you less.

      
      

7. Doesn’t follow instructions on application.

   1. Don’t give generic responses or ‘shotgun’ replies. The work starts when you apply, your application should show your quality of work.

      
      

8. Pixelated media on their website or poor design.

   1. Shows they don’t care about the details.

      
      

9. Hotmail or yahoo email account (no branded domain).

   1. Sloppy, unprofessional.

      
      

10. No contract.

    1. Everybody should know exactly what they’re agree to. Looks more professional.

       
       

11. Charges too little.

    1. Counterintuitively, charging less increases risk. You get what you pay for, amateurs are cheap.

       
       

If you are a freelancer, how many of these red flags do you currently show to potential clients?

If you hire freelancers, what would you add to the list? Let me know in the comments below.

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Red flags when hiring freelancers

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