By Cambridge Who’s Who Contributing Author Jenny MacKay

In tough economic times, streamlining a business is a cruel necessity. This could mean carving out departments and letting employees go, which often places new burdens on the remaining staff as essential projects get shuffled elsewhere. The result could be an overworked and disgruntled workforce where creativity and enthusiasm are squelched under the weight of the daily grind.

Freelance help could remedy this situation. In many industries, freelancers have always been a mainstay to doing business. But when layoff rates are high, talented and skilled professionals in every industry can find themselves in a position to become self-employed. There is no time like the present to tap into this freelance pool to supplement and enhance your operations.

What Is a Freelance Worker and Why Hire One?

Freelancers are self-employed individuals who provide services on a per-project basis. They work as independent contractors and, traditionally, have been most common in creative industries such as writing and photography. These days, freelancers abound in other occupations, too – web design, computer programming and graphic art are a few fields that have become freelance dominated in recent years.

The benefits of hiring freelancers are numerous. As a freelancer’s client, you pay only for the specific job you need done and are not responsible for benefits, Social Security, Medicare or workers’ comp. Freelancers usually own their equipment and software and work remotely, eliminating your need to provide office space and the technology needed to complete an assignment. A freelancer becomes a satellite employee for the duration of a project. It can be a very flexible and convenient relationship.

Another benefit of hiring freelancers is their enthusiasm. They typically work hard to please their clients and hold themselves accountable for the quality and timeliness of their work. As specialists in their fields, freelancers can also bring in new vision and expertise.

Will My Company Benefit from Freelance Help?

Almost any industry could potentially benefit from relinquishing tasks to freelancers. If you recently have had to downsize your business, it may be worthwhile to consider freelance help to fill in the gaps. If you have been putting off a project or company goal because you feel that there is no one on your staff who has the time or experience; and you do not have the resources to hire a regular employee, a freelancer may be a very good option.

Ask colleagues, fellow business owners and your own staff for suggestions of people who may be interested in a freelance opportunity with your company. If you recently had to lay off someone or may do so in the near future, this individual may be amenable to a freelance relationship. You can also search for freelancers through the same channels you would use to fill any new position in your company. Just be sure to mention that this will be a contract job.

Hiring Freelancers

Professional freelancers should be able to provide references of current and former clients. Also, ask to see portfolios or samples of their work, or ask if they will take tests that demonstrate their skills (freelance editors, proofreaders and transcriptionists expect such tests as a reasonable part of a client’s consideration process).

Once you have chosen a freelancer, you will need to negotiate a contract that outlines the specific job duties, payment (hourly or flat fee), job duration and quality parameters. Confidentiality, non-disclosure and non-compete clauses are other protections often written into a contract to prohibit freelancers from revealing company data or taking business away from the company. It is wise to seek legal counsel when drawing up and negotiating a freelance contract. This will eliminate many of the concerns and uncertainties employers often have about hiring freelancers.

Freelancers and businesses can form mutually beneficial relationships, and the advent of telecommuting technology makes this a more viable option than ever before. If you are a business owner, now may be the time to consider working with freelancers.

Jenny MacKay’s Biography

Cambridge Who’s Who member Jenny MacKay is a full-time freelance writer, editor and book production coordinator. Her expertise is in – but not limited to – creative writing and copyediting of science, technical, medical and social science journals with proficiency in AP, APA, Chicago, MLA, CSE and AMA styles. Ms. MacKay also specializes in creating content for academic, scientific, educational and fiction publications. Her contributions have appeared in books, scholarly journals, magazines and newspapers.

In 2000, Ms. MacKay received a bachelor of arts in English education from the University of Nevada. A stay-at-home mother of two, she pursued an occupation in freelance writing while her children were still young. Her career flourished, as she authored numerous articles for magazines and various clients on a national scale. A love for her profession and the flexibility it affords has enabled Ms. MacKay to excel in her industry. She has worked for several leading publishing companies including Sage Publications, Cengage Learning, Linworth Publishing and Gannett.

Ever since she can remember, she has maintained a longstanding interest in children’s literature. In recent years, she became a frequent contributor to Lucent Books, which publishes nonfiction page-turners aimed at educating high school students. She has authored seven enriching titles for the company, including “Criminal Profiling” (Crime Scene Investigations), “Fingerprints and Impression Evidence” (Crime Scene Investigations), “Phobias” (Diseases and Disorders) and “Amnesia” (Diseases and Disorders).

Presently, Ms. MacKay also works as a freelance content and development editor for American Book Publishing. She is a published member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, an organization that caters to creative types (e.g. writers, illustrators, etc.) who work in children’s publishing. Additionally Ms. MacKay is an active member of the Nevada Region of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. As a contributing editor for Zephyr – their quarterly newsletter – she helps pool writers and edits submissions. In her spare time, Ms. MacKay reviews children’s books, writes freelance articles and enjoys cooking. She hopes to teach college level writing classes and publish children’s books in the future.

For more information about Ms. MacKay, please visit her Cambridge Who’s Who Connect Profile: Jenny MacKay. She can be reached at jopm@sbcglobal.net.

Cambridge Who’s Who Resource Center Article(s) by Jenny MacKay

• The Business of Hiring Freelancers New!
  

Cambridge Who’s Who invites you to serve as an expert resource and submit articles for publishing on the Cambridge Who’s Who Resource Center. Being featured as a contributing author on the Resource Center will give you the online exposure that you need to advance in your profession and grow your business, as we will provide you with a forum to share your expertise with your fellow members and the general public. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to establish yourself as a valuable resource in your industry and profession.

As a Cambridge Who’s Who Contributing Author you will receive:

• Biography highlighting your areas of expertise, educational background and professional experience
• Announcements about your recent accomplishments and endeavors
• Editing and proofreading of your work
• Links to every article you contribute
• Possible feature of your articles in Who’s News, the Cambridge Who’s Who e-newsletter

To take advantage of this exclusive benefit, send an email to exposure@cambridgewhoswho.com today!

Learn about our Cambridge Who’s Who contributing authors and read their articles and testimonials:

Cambridge Who’s Who Contributing Authors

• Chinonyerem (Chi Chi) Okezie
• Jo DeMarco
• Harold Kestenbaum
• Cheryl Nordyke
• Douglas Hyer
• Susan Gosine
• Philip B. Righter
• Lisa Parker
• Shirley Patterson
• Bruce Deitrick Price
• Jenny MacKay
• Claire Power Murphy

Articles

Networking

• Etiquette Tips for Online Networkers
• Growing Your Business through Online Networking
• Networking Starts and Ends with You
• Why Entrepreneurs Should Invest in Online Networking

Positioning Yourself as an Expert

• The Best Experts Get Involved
• An Expert Lesson From Dad
• An Introduction to Franchising

Entrepreneurship

• Over 40 and Redefining Unemployment through Entrepreneurship
• Leaping into Entrepreneurship
• The Power of the Ripple Effect
• The Benefits of Freelance Writing New!
• The Business of Hiring Freelancers New!
• Grow Yourself As You Grow Your Business New!

Financial Planning

• Understanding Corporate Financial Planning^©

Branding

• “Sassy, Brassy, Direct and to the Point”
• When Branding is All about Appeal
• How Your Personal Brand Makes an Impact
• The Art of Establishing Your Personal Business Brand New!

General

• Overcoming Adversity to Find Strength
• Exploring the Education Enigma New!

Testimonials

Cambridge Who’s Who is an exceptional organization which is extremely instrumental in helping its members enhance their professional goals. I recently published a book and was able to use my resources and connections with CWW to promote the book through the website, newsletter and blog. The blog has provided a lot of positive business exposure, improved my credibility and promoted the sales of my book. The response has been overwhelming in my favor and has catapulted my business to the next level.”

Chinonyerem (Chi Chi) Okezie
Owner, Founder
SIMPLEnetworking LLC
Jonesboro, GA
Cambridge Member Since June 2007

“As a new member to Cambridge Who’s Who I was immediately impressed with the caliber and range of people I now had the opportunity to interact with. The Cambridge staff could not be more polite, well versed, dedicated and dependable, it’s easy to see how a person could flourish and grow personally and professionally with them supporting you. When I started looking through the member directory, I was amazed at the expertise and diversity of this prestigious group. I am not only honored to be included, but as one who always welcomes a challenge, I find myself raising the bar of my own standard level to maintain my place among this impressive group. What a phenomenal “club” to belong to in order to share and grow together!”

Jo DeMarco
Contessa Knows
Chicago, IL
Cambridge Member Since May 2007