The world, at present, is more compact than ever before, at least in terms of jobs and work opportunities. This doesn’t mean that the earth as we know it has shrunk. It just means that thanks to digitization, we’re not able to work with people around the world without being physically close to them.
A World Bank report reveals that the global online freelance workforce is far larger than many assumed. The number of freelancers worldwide is estimated to fall between 154 million and 435 million. That’s a significant portion, up to 12 percent of the entire global workforce.
The US alone saw an increase in the number of freelancers by 90 percent between 2020 and 2024. In Australia, as of 2024, around 31 percent of Australians do freelance or contractual work.
Thus, freelancers are everywhere, all around the world, and you can work with them from wherever you feel like. But do you know how to build a good relationship with them? Do you know how you can get their help anytime you want by building this good relationship? We’ll tell you how.
Be Clear, But Flexible
One of the fastest ways to cause frustration is to be vague with your expectations. If your contractor has to guess what you want, you’re setting both of you up for disappointment.
Be clear about deadlines, deliverables, and how you’d like the work done but don’t micromanage. Most international freelancers are self-starters as they often have to be. Trust that they know how to do their job, and give them the space to do it well.
And if they live in a different time zone, don’t expect them to be online when you are. That’s the beauty of hiring globally. You get things done even when you’re asleep.
Use overlapping hours wisely, and communicate in a way that respects their schedule just as much as yours.
Pay Them On Time, Every Time
If you really want to build trust, show your freelancers that they can count on you. And nothing shows that they matter to you quite like paying them on time. It might seem basic, but timely payments are often a major pain point for international workers.
Currency exchange delays, platform issues, and forgetting to pay can make people feel like an afterthought. And when your freelancer is relying on that money to pay their own bills or support their family, those delays hit hard.
If you’re working with several international freelancers or scaling your business to include overseas contractors, handling payroll can get messy fast. Here, global payroll services can help take the guesswork out of payroll administration by keeping payroll data organized. These platforms can streamline international payroll operations and ensure that international workers get paid accurately and on time.
According to Remote, a global HR and payroll platform, from running payroll to automating expense management and report generation, these platforms handle them all. If you’re managing payroll on your own, these services can help simplify the process and free up your time.
Managing payroll shouldn’t be a constant stressor, and with the right tools in place, it doesn’t have to be.
Respect Cultural Differences Without Making Them Feel Weird
Working with international talent means you’re going to come across different communication styles, holidays, and even work ethics. That doesn’t mean one is better or worse; it just means different.
Maybe your freelancer takes time off for holidays you’ve never heard of, or maybe they’re not comfortable calling you by your first name. Whatever the case, the best thing you can do is observe, ask questions respectfully, and be open to adjusting your expectations.
Don’t make a big deal out of it. Just roll with it and give people the same level of respect you’d want if the roles were reversed.
By the way, showing interest in their culture doesn’t require deep research or awkward questions. Even asking what kind of music they like, or what a common meal looks like where they live, shows that you’re open-minded.
Give Feedback Like You’d Want to Receive It
If you’re only reaching out when something goes wrong, don’t be surprised if your freelancer starts feeling undervalued every time your name pops up.
Try giving positive feedback when things go right, too. Let them know you appreciated their attention to detail or that you noticed how quickly they turned something around. It doesn’t take much time, but it goes a long way.
And when something does need improvement, say it with kindness. Be direct, but not harsh. Assume good intentions, and offer solutions. Your freelancer is more likely to meet you halfway if you approach them with respect rather than criticism.
You don’t need to be perfect to build strong connections with your international freelancers and contractors. You just need to be consistent, fair, and human.
Treat them like the valuable contributors they are, and they’ll treat your business with the care it deserves. After all, good working relationships aren’t built on transactions; they’re built on trust and communication.
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