If you’re lucky enough to have more freelance work than you can handle, you might want to think about expanding your business or subcontracting out.
We asked Julia Chanteray, resident business expert on Channel 4’s Risking It All, and Andrew Chapman, a graphic designer from Brighton, to talk about their own experiences in subcontracting creative work.
Making the decision to subcontract
There are only so many hours in the day. While you may want to say ‘yes’ to every job that comes your way, as a freelancer you don’t always have time.
Working constantly doesn’t give you freedom or flexibility, and certainly not the pay. That leaves you with the option of subcontracting.
Subcontracting means you still have overall control of a job. You’re simply giving some, or all, of the responsibility to another creative.
You can either do this by employing staff or giving work to other freelancers. It’s a natural step for freelancers who are looking to expand their business and thankfully it’s far less complicated than it may sound.
How to start subcontracting
"Taking someone on to do the smaller or time-consuming, tasks frees you up to do what you want to do."
There isn’t a set time for making the leap. You may have been self-employed for a year, or for ten years.
Decide whether you want to employ staff or take on a freelancer. Hiring a freelancer allows you the chance to test the water without committing.
Start by taking someone on for small jobs and see how it works out. Keep track of why you have them. There’s no point paying someone else to end up correcting their work yourself. Be sure that the figures add up.
One theory, discussed in The E-myth, is that the only way you can move upwards is if you make yourself redundant. Julia explains, “Your business should be able to run without you. That’s not to say you shouldn’t stop doing what you love doing, just delegate what you dislike. That will give you the perfect balance.”
Three benefits to expanding your creative business
1. More money
Every freelancer would like to be able to do less work for more money. Julia recognises that the freelancer’s life is a case of ‘feast or famine.’ Sometimes you get paid and other times there’s no work. Taking your business to the next level reduces this risk.
2. Bigger jobs
Knowing that you can call on the skills, expertise and resources of a team allows you to pitch for bigger jobs. This gives Andrew confidence, “I can go into a meeting knowing I can say yes to what they want, as I know I can turn to A B and C for help.”
3. Greater flexibility
Freelancers often work more than anyone else, so it can be good to share the load. Julia explains, "Taking someone on to do the smaller or time-consuming tasks frees you up to do what you want to do. Whether that means a better work/life balance, or putting your energy into a particular side of the business, rather than doing everything.’
The practicalities of expanding your creative business
Investment
Employing someone else does not require lots of savings, just enough to pay a wage. You should be able to cover costs through the money you’ll get by taking on a particular job. You’ll probably need enough for six months’ wages. That’s a small enough figure to go to a bank for a personal loan.
Finding staff
Finding the right person is vital. Having someone in your office, no matter how ad hoc, can be more beneficial than having them work from home. It’s easier to give them tasks and, the more they ask you what needs doing, the more you’ll have to give them.
Marketing
If you’re expanding and planning to take on more work, it’s likely you’ll want to make yourself more noticeable. This shouldn’t be costly, but getting a website made (if you don’t already have web presence) will show you’re a serious business.
Networking
Julia, who is also President of Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce, recommends this as an opportunity to meet potential clients. “Chambers are a supportive environment where you will meet people who are further down their business than you are, so can offer invaluable advice, guidance and mentoring.”
Professional networking may set you back £50 a month from attending events. Andrew built up a relationship with a company director who was older and more experienced than him. He became his mentor and although he’s now retired, Andrew can still call on him for advice.
Employing staff day-to-day
It’s crucial you know what purpose your extra staff fill. Andrew gives his freelancers ‘conceptual time’ to come up with designs, because it’s so time-consuming while he manages production.
The dangers of expanding your creative business
Subcontracting means you still have overall control of a job. You’re simply giving some, or all, of the responsibility to another creative.
In creative environments there’s a much stronger desire to maintain a personal touch.
You certainly don’t want substandard work to ruin your reputation. Andrew admits, “My biggest concern was: what if they aren’t good enough?”
Andrew’s preferred option is to outsource while providing ‘quality control’. And the good thing about hiring freelancers is that if they aren’t up to scratch, you don’t need to use them again.
A second worry is that freelancers will damage your business. This can be overcome by asking them to sign a simple confidentiality agreement to protect your business, which includes preventing a freelancer from taking your clients and sharing ideas.
Don’t be concerned about the complexity of employing someone. Julia says it’s not that scary. “Business Link offers excellent advice on employing and writing draft contracts and the paperwork shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours.”
And finally the fun part – success! Julia believes that, “Some people set a target income, others want to work a four day week or stop at 3pm to collect the kids from school. You have to measure your own success by the lifestyle you want.’
Andrew’s final words are, “Get on with it! I left it a year too late. Just give it a go and, if it doesn’t work, you won’t have any regrets.”
