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As a seasoned entrepreneur, you’ve probably had to wear a lot of hats. Maybe you’re a social media guru one day or a warehouse worker the next. And while being a jack-of-all-trades is a great way to get a comprehensive grasp of how your business operates and grows, there will come a day when you will need to hire a specialist to take things to the next level.
Let’s dive into when to outsource certain roles and how to find the top contractors based on your unique business needs and budget.
When to consider hiring a specialist as a contractor
Hiring a contractor is beneficial for a few reasons. Are you growing your business and looking to move quickly? Need someone with a specific skillset? Trying to finish a short-term project? Hiring a contractor is typically a more cost-effective and flexible option than hiring a full-time employee when you consider factors like benefits, taxes, and overhead costs associated with bringing on a new employee.
Here are a few circumstances when hiring a contractor is likely a better option than going it alone or hiring a full-time employee:
- Specialized expertise: When you need someone with a specialized skillset or experience that your existing team is lacking, contractors can help. They can get new projects off the ground and provide the framework required for your full-time employees to sustain them, even after the specialist’s contract is over.
- Short-term projects: Have a one-and-done project that your existing team doesn’t have the bandwidth or expertise to tackle? Contractors are a flexible and smart option for work that doesn’t justify hiring a full-time employee. Think of projects with a clear start and end date.
- Busy season: If your business is seasonal and you know there will be an influx of work during a certain period, say for fulfillment ahead of the holidays, bringing on contractors is a savvy way to manage the workload without risking onboarding full-time employees who don’t have enough work to do when business slows back down.
- Testing new initiatives: If your business has a new idea but you aren’t sure you want to fully invest in it just yet, hiring a contractor is a low-risk way to test it out. For example, if you want to test video as a content format, consider hiring a contractor instead of an in-house videographer until you have confidence in your video needs based on your audience and channel mix.
How to find a reputable contractor
Once you’ve decided hiring a contractor is in the best interests of your business, the next step is finding professionals who are experienced and know how to navigate the technology your business runs on.
The good news is that there are trustworthy platforms to help you find contractors and specialists for your specific business needs, whether that be bringing your business online with a stellar website, design, or even accounting.
You can use the Square Specialists Directory to easily search for a specific job type and filter based on your preferences, like services offered, industry expertise, budget, and location. Once you’ve found a specialist you’re interested in working with, browse their portfolio of work and quickly send a request to work with them. If your business already runs on Square or you’re looking to switch technology providers, selecting a specialist from the Square Specialist Directory will be the fastest way to complete your project.
The best part? All Square Specialists have already been vetted and approved by Square and have deep Square product knowledge, which means you can hire a specialist confidently knowing the job will get done correctly and quickly.
We were impressed by the professionalism of the [Square] specialist, and the project was completed on time. The collaboration was seamless, thanks to their responsiveness. Overall, it was a great experience.”
Tonya Rocho → owner, Rock Solid Wellness Studio.
Here are the areas of expertise Square specialists support:
- Finance & Accounting
- Branding & Design
- Square Online Setup
- Business Operations & Consulting
- Marketing & Search
- Custom Development
- Enterprise Resource Planning
- Square Product Implementation
- Square Payments Integration
It’s also worthwhile to tap your professional network on LinkedIn for direct referrals from other leaders in your industry. Other popular platforms with large networks to find more general contractors include Upwork and Freelancer. Before hiring a contractor from these platforms, be sure to read their reviews and ratings.
Finding the help you need, when you need it
Whether you quickly need to set up your online store, optimize your SEO presence, or just get expert guidance on taxes, a specialist can help get the job done without a longer-term commitment or overhead costs, so you can focus on your strengths where they matter most and will have the largest impact.
All my requirements were fulfilled as requested, and the [Square] specialist provided valuable training on aspects crucial for my future needs. I was extremely happy with the outcome.”
Rhonda Harris → owner, Rhonda Harris Salon.
Ready to get started? Unlock your business’s potential with Square specialists.
