Communications
How to hire communications specialists
Communication specialists can help you effectively communicate different types of information in various industries and settings such as customer service, sales, journalism, technology, and law.
So how do you hire communication specialists? What follows are some tips for finding top communication specialists on Upwork.
How to shortlist communication professionals
As you’re browsing available communication consultants, it can be helpful to develop a shortlist of the professionals you may want to interview. You can screen profiles on criteria such as:
- Industry fit. You want a communication specialist who can effectively communicate with your target audience.
- Project experience. Screen candidate profiles for specific skills and experience (e.g., offering tech support over the phone).
- Feedback. Check reviews from past clients for glowing testimonials or red flags that can tell you what it’s like to work with a particular communication specialist.
How to write an effective communication job post
With a clear picture of your ideal communication specialist in mind, it’s time to write that job post. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for a freelancer to know if they’re the right fit for the project.
An effective communication job post should include:
- Scope of work: From customer relationship management (CRM) to sales presentations, list all the deliverables you’ll need.
- Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project.
- Background: If you prefer experience with certain industries, software, or communications channels, mention this here.
- Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.
Ready to effectively communicate with your target audience? Log in and post your communication job on Upwork today.
COMMUNICATION SPECIALISTS FAQs
What is communication?
Communication is the process of exchanging information. From answering telephone calls to sending emails to creating content that delivers a specific message, communication plays a critical role in any business or organization.
Here’s a quick overview of the skills you should look for in communication professionals:
- Written communication (e.g, copywriting, legal writing, academic writing)
- Verbal communication (e.g., teleconferencing, public speaking, phone etiquette)
- Visual communication (e.g., graphic arts, videography, presentations)
Why do you want to hire communication specialists?
The trick to finding top communication specialists is to identify your needs. Are you looking for a customer service representative with the phone etiquette required to service high-end clientele? Or are you seeking a sales representative to deliver a PowerPoint presentation that will educate sales prospects on the advantages of adopting your SaaS (software-as-a-service) product? The cost of your project will depend largely on your scope of work and the specific skills needed to bring your project to life.
How much does it cost to hire a communication specialist?
Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions.
- An experienced communication specialist may command higher fees but also work faster, have more-specialized areas of expertise, and deliver higher-quality work.
- A freelancer who is still in the process of building a client base may price their communication services more competitively.
Which one is right for you will depend on the specifics of your project.
How long should you contract a communication specialist to complete your project?
As difficult as it is to estimate how long you will need a communication specialist, budgeting time is very important to keeping your project on track.
Be prepared to budget more time for more-demanding communication projects. For example, answering phone calls is less involved than creating a sales presentation.
What are the steps involved to hire communication specialists?
Here’s how to hire communication consultants in four simple steps:
- Identify your project needs, whether it’s written, verbal, or visual communication.
- Define the scope of work and write a detailed job post. Be specific about deliverables (e.g., provide call center services for a software product).
- Review proposals and shortlist potential communication specialists for unique skills needed to bring your project to life (e.g., copywriting expertise for writing sales pages).
- Interview communication talent to gauge whether they’re the right fit for your project. Here are some sample interview questions.