Why freelancers are the perfect employees for start-ups

The time is finally ripe. Your product or service is now available in its first finished version and has been proudly presented on the market after months or even years of development. Your first customers are a fact – and your workload has tripled overnight. You, dear entrepreneur, are ready to hire your first employee! But hey, there is the war for talent knocking on your back door, and what about remuneration for start-ups? And all that red tape! Can’t it be simpler and actually even better? We’re glad you asked! So, how can you do this? With freelancers, of course! Read on to find out why freelancers are the perfect employees for start-ups.

1) You pump a lot of expertise into your start-up

Freelancers, or ’miniature entrepreneurs’ as we sometimes call them, are self-employed people who enter the labour market with their own expertise to take on short or long-term jobs with a variety of clients. In other words: ‘They know the ropes’.  And that is precisely why freelancers are so attractive to start-ups. You don’t have to waste any time training, retraining or upskilling anyone. In addition, you create an ecosystem of self-employed people where entrepreneurship prevails. If you want to grow fast, freelancers are the ideal solution.

2) Two for the price of one: the cost price of a freelancer

No, this is not a crazy marketing stunt. What you pay for the work of a single freelancer is really twice the value. And, do you want to know a secret? The expenses are not as high as you would think. Although there are still numerous misconceptions about freelancers, in which we believe the high cost is the most persistent, hiring a freelancer often works out cheaper. Just think of the savings you will achieve on employer’s contributions and not having to pay someone’s wages when they are on sick leave or on holiday.

Compared to having an employee on your payroll, if you hire a freelancer you also bypass the cost of compulsory insurance for accidents at work. Therefore, there is no need to take out liability insurance for this person because a freelancer, as a supplier, is responsible for him or herself when he or she is at work.

Agreed, the average daily rate charged by a freelancer is higher than that paid to a permanent employee. However, a freelancer is only paid for the work he/she actually performs and, because freelancers are generally more productive, will get the same job done in fewer hours.

Add all of this together and you end up with a very favourable rate.

3) Demand and supply: freelancers love start-ups

Working at a start-up does have a flip side. On the one hand, there are marvellous opportunities, you have your freedom and there are plenty of responsibilities that will help you really make a difference within an organisation. On the other hand, opting for a start-up is not without risk for an employee. The wages and benefits a start-up can offer can barely compete with what is offered by large companies. On top of that, prospects for growth are difficult to predict and job security is proportional to the growth of the start-up in question. Enter the freelancer. To a freelancer, opportunities for growth within one and the same company are irrelevant and a freelancer will not hesitate to embark on a project that may end prematurely. You ask and freelancers work.

4) Switching gears

Can you wait until your marketing manager – after years of research, self-pity and frustration – outsmarts the Google algorithm? Or until your accountant has found the right loophole? Of course not! The many years of expertise garnered by a freelancer, ensure that you can switch gears quickly. When you need a fast-converting marketing campaign or want a new interface for your application, there is no need to wait when you hire a freelancer. A freelancer always gets the job done.

Want to know more?

Are you still wondering how your start-up can benefit from hiring a freelancer? Have any questions about paying a freelancer, or a freelancer’s working method? Leave us your contact details and we will get back to you within 48 hours.