Getting freelancers interested in your project can be a hard task. Cutting skyrocketing costs is even harder. However, if the collaboration is managed right, you can actually save much more. We’ve put together three key habits from most successful collaborations on Minty, to show you how to work with freelancers and save money.

1. Write Detailed Brief

First step that should come before every collaboration is planning. Writing down all your requirements will make things clear, not only for the other side, but mostly for you.

Keep your brief short, but specific, with proper descriptions. Think both in terms of qualitative objectives – how you want the result to look like (at Minty we work with more than 3000 pro illustrators, so mood boards are always great help), and quantitative objectives like deadlines or number of realisations – how many elements, parts or pages you will need.

2. Set The Rules Of The Process

Clear rules set right at the start will drive the price calculation down, because the freelancer would have an idea about the character of your mutual collaboration, and thus, will be able to estimate how much time and effort it will need – without usual exaggeration. Transparent rules should include: number of feedback rounds (average is three to four), and mutual agreement on break up fees and drafting fees.

3. Be Clear About The Future Of Artwork

Uncertainty with usage is the primary driver of costs in author’s calculations. Eliminating such suspicion can not only get you better price, but more importantly, it can set the base for more honest and passionate relationship, which often results to outstanding collaboration. Be clear about your usage rights (licenses) and don’t be shy to be frank about your next logo for ultimate corn dog stand of your nephew.

Bonus tip: Even when you really look for discounts, don’t ask for it from actual work to be done by your freelancer. Instead, try to find discounts in other segments of your cost structure, such as costs of paper, printing, or licensing.