Motivating Freelancers: Tips & Tricks

Briefing a freelancer is not enough. To maximize their performance, it’s important to inspire your freelancer. For example, you can:
- Describe the assignment as fully, concisely, and originally as possible;
- Explain why the project is important;
- Provide examples of cases that you like;
- Share your story with the project and what inspired the given task.
By seeing your unconventional approach, the freelancer will likely respond with thoughtful feedback. They will be focused on getting you happy with their results, as a satisfied client is a constant source of orders.

For a freelancer to do their job well, they must at least cover their basic needs. In addition, they need to pay bills and cover the services required for their work. If the payment does not cover these expenses, there can be no talk of motivation. Therefore, fair compensation is essential for quality performance. In fact, it is one of the main motivators in freelancing.

Motivation during work is just as important. Avoid harshly criticizing the initial results if they don’t meet your expectations. Phrases like “this is not what I wanted at all” can completely discourage any effort. Try to communicate your wishes and revisions gently, logically, and with justification.
If you genuinely like the results and the approach of the freelancer, be sure to let them know. Moderate praise can truly motivate the freelancer, increasing their productivity and efficiency. However, too much praise may become a burden and spark a question: why exert effort to improve if the client is already satisfied?

Even a small disagreement with the freelancer can permanently damage the working relationship and lead to disappointing results. A negative atmosphere kills any motivation and desire to work on the project. As a result, the freelancer may complete the work without any enthusiasm, and its chances to meet your expectation are bound to drop. You will end up having to pay the specialist and search for another one to achieve the desired outcome.

Some clients try to motivate freelancers by comparing them to other contractors. One offers cheaper services, another is willing to work faster, and a third promises 100% quality. However, such comparisons not only fail to motivate but also minimize any effort to do a good job. You choose a freelancer for their qualities, and they value their professionalism and invest in it. That’s why comparing them to others only creates a desire to rush through the work or even drop it altogether.

Any feedback is valuable for freelancers. It helps them understand their strengths and weaknesses and serves as social proof in their hunt for clients. Positive reviews attract new clients, inspire freelancers to achieve more, and create a desire to do even better.