Freelancers: Why Work with Collaborators?
<p><em>For many freelancers and self-employed people, loneliness is one of the main disadvantages in their daily life. These entrepreneurs can spend several hours without communicating with anyone, and without having to leave their homes. As the old saying goes, "Unity is strength". Why not work with collaborators? Let us see the benefits of working with other professionals.</em></p>
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<h3>Why work with a collaborator?</h3>
<p>What are the advantages of working with collaborators when you are a freelancer or a self-employed person? In this case, a collaborator can be someone helping you in another field or doing the same thing as you do.</p>
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<h3>Provide more services</h3>
<p>Working with a collaborator can allow you to provide more services or accept more clients. Indeed, by working together, you can also offer complementary services that meet your clients' needs.</p>
<p>Let us say that you create websites. Working with an SEO specialist or a graphic designer could be relevant to ensure your work is beautiful, friendly, and optimized. It is the same with a copywriter who wants to work with a professional proofreader or translator. </p>
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<h3>Learn to delegate</h3>
<p>When you own a business, you need to think about everything. It can become a challenging situation in the long run if you have to manage everything and wear all hats. Consequently, why not <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/should-i-delegate-my-tasks-if-so-which-ones-and-how-" target="_blank">delegate some tasks</a>? Keep only the ones to like or master. </p>
<p>You might have noticed that there are more and more virtual assistants. These professionals can surely give you a hand, whether it is regarding your accounting or managing your social media. Do not hesitate to contact them if you need help. </p>
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<h3>Get more flexibility</h3>
<p>Did you ever ask yourself what would be the best option between an employee and a collaborator like another freelancer? Although the fees for self-employed workers may vary and seem higher, freelancers come with more flexibility. You only need to give them the work and time you need. It can be a few hours per month or a few days per week for a shorter time. </p>
<p>Moreover, with the current labor shortage, it might be easier to find a freelancer than an employee.</p>
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<h3>Surround yourself with an amazing team</h3>
<p>It is normal not to master everything. Consequently, if you decide to become a freelancer, do not hesitate to surround yourself with an amazing team to help you face any challenges. It can be to work with a great accountant who understands your reality, a web marketing specialist who knows how to bring your business to another level, or a talented graphic designer who is able to create everything you have in mind. As we mentioned earlier, unity is strength!</p>
<p>Do not hesitate to ask for referrals to find the ideal collaborators. You can also participate in <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/networking-101" target="_blank">networking events</a> to increase your network and meet other professionals like you.</p>
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<h3>What to think about when working with a collaborator</h3>
<p>Here are a few things to think about when working with a collaborator. It could allow you to avoid a few misunderstandings and problematic situations.</p>
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<p><strong>Define your boundaries</strong></p>
<p>If you work with a collaborator as equals, take the time to define your boundaries. It can be as simple as telling your schedule, rates, or tasks you accept to do. By stating them from the start, you will avoid misunderstandings. In the same vein, knowing your collaborators’ boundaries would also be relevant.</p>
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<p><strong>Define the work to do</strong></p>
<p>Similarly, be precise regarding the work to be done. The clearer you are, the more you will avoid situations where you are unsatisfied with the result. It is essential, especially when it is a new business relationship. If needed, give some examples or guide the collaborator to show what you are looking for.</p>
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<p><strong>Note down everything in a contract</strong></p>
<p>We already mentioned the importance of <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/the-importance-of-having-a-good-contract-of-services" target="_blank">service contracts</a> regarding your relationship with your clients, but what about partnerships with collaborators? Indeed, to protect yourself if there are any issues, having one of these documents could be relevant. Topics like intellectual property, fees, and payments could be noted down. Do not hesitate to contact a lawyer for a contract that meets your needs.</p>
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<p><strong>Use the right tools</strong></p>
<p>Since many professionals work from home, several tools exist to help you collaborate with other people. Whether it is to communicate quickly or share documents, many options exist. Slack or Teams could be interesting if you are a team looking for a chat. If you are looking for a tool to help you manage projects more efficiently, perhaps Trello or Asana could help. Finally, if you want to share files, WeTransfer and Google Drive exist. Do not hesitate to review our list of <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/14-tools-that-are-recommended-by-freelancers" target="_blank">tools freelancers recommend</a> if needed. </p>
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<p>In conclusion, there are several benefits to working with collaborators, whether it is other freelancers or a <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/interview-with-a-virtual-assistant" target="_blank">virtual assistant</a>. Besides allowing you to feel less lonely, you will have the possibility to save time and increase your services. Only remember to define all the important elements of your business relationship before you start. Good luck!</p>