Crafting the Perfect Recommendation for Freelancers

Posted on: Feb 14, 2024

Photo Credit: BAZA Production // Shutterstock

By Steffanie Bradley

Finding the right freelancers can be a game changer for your production. Once you’ve had the privilege of working with a talented freelancer, it’s essential to recognize their contributions and help them build their reputation. After all, this industry thrives on who’s in your network and the reputation we have on set.

One powerful way to help freelancers whose work and attitude went above and beyond is by leaving a well-crafted recommendation on their Staff Me Up profile.

Why Leaving a Recommendation Matters

Recommendations can improve a freelancer’s Staff Me Up profile by serving as a testament to their skills and professionalism. Positive feedback can significantly enhance their chances of landing new gigs. For job posters, seeing positive recommendations from previous employers instills confidence in the freelancer’s abilities and work ethic. Leaving recommendations is a way of giving back to the freelance community, helping other job posters discover reliable and talented professionals.

Tips for Writing a Good Recommendation

Be specific when it comes to crafting a recommendation for a freelancer. List out the freelancer’s name, position and the project they worked on that you’re writing about. General praise is nice, but specific details make your recommendation more impactful.

Mention the freelancer’s strengths, any applicable technical skills, creativity, ability to meet deadlines, plus overall attitude and professionalism on-set. If the freelancer achieved exceptional results or went above and beyond, share these accomplishments in your recommendation. Did they solve a challenging problem, save the project or excel in a critical role? Highlight it!

Whenever possible, use quantifiable data to support your recommendation. For instance, mention that they helped the production stay on budget or stay on or ahead of schedule, or if they received positive feedback from others on-set. Discuss how working with the freelancer impacted your production overall. Did they bring a positive attitude, collaborate well with others or adapt to changing circumstances gracefully? Share these insights.

Even if you had a challenging working relationship, if you’re going to leave someone a recommendation, focus on the freelancer’s strengths and contributions rather than dwelling on any negatives. Constructive criticism can be helpful, but keep it professional and private if necessary.

Lastly, recommendations should be succinct, yet comprehensive. Aim for a length of 1-2 paragraphs that convey your message clearly and effectively.

Examples:

Alison is the best AD we could have asked for. She jumped onboard last minute and was able to do an amazing job. She is proactive, reliable and kind. It is always an absolute pleasure to have Alison on the team.
Ali is hardworking, easy to communicate with and an overall pro. She was a big help to our production. I would happily recommend her to anyone looking for help in the camera or production space.
AJ is a phenomenal director and DP. His eye for telling a story through the visual medium is unparalleled. His work speaks for itself. AJ’s the director who’s clawing his eyes out at 5 a.m. trying to figure out the best way to make a scene work, but still shows up on-set full of energy for the day. Finding people who can collaborate and raise projects to the next level is so difficult, I feel extremely privileged to have been able to work with AJ on the few projects we’ve done together and the future ones we plan to do.

How to Leave a Recommendation on Staff Me Up

Leaving a recommendation on Staff Me Up is a straightforward process:

Log In: Ensure you’re logged in to your Staff Me Up account.
Go to the Freelancer’s Profile: Navigate to the freelancer’s profile page whom you want to recommend.
Click on “Recommend”: Look for the “Recommend” button on their profile and click it.
Write Your Recommendation: A text box will appear where you can write your recommendation. Follow the tips mentioned above to craft a compelling one.
Preview and Submit: Before finalizing, review your recommendation for accuracy and tone. Once satisfied, click the “Submit” button.

Support

Leaving a recommendation on Staff Me Up is not just a gesture of gratitude, but a valuable way to contribute to the freelance community. A well-written recommendation can make a significant difference in a freelancer’s career, helping them secure future opportunities and grow professionally.

Take the time to recognize and acknowledge the talents and hard work of the freelancers you’ve had the pleasure of working with. Your words of encouragement and support can go a long way in shaping their careers and ensuring the film and television industry continues to thrive.

Ready to hire your ideal production crew? Browse qualified candidates and post your next role on Staff Me Up!

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