As a buyer, the job of trying to get across what it is you want done by a freelancer can be a tricky task, especially if you are not too sure yourself what you want.
Sometimes you can see it in your mind but attempting to convey that into text for a freelancer can be quite a job and of course if you don’t properly explain specifically what you want achieved, you can’t expect the freelancer to get it right.
I am pretty sure most freelancers would agree that one of their top pet peeves are Buyers who dont clarify specifically what they want.
Now this isn’t always because the buyer is too lazy to go into the finer details, sometimes it’s just a case that they are not sure.
Here are some tips for you buyers on ways to overcome this obstacle.
1. If it’s possible, try using video screen capture software like Camtasia or a free version like Camstudio. This is an excellent method to use, if you want to literally show them and walk them through a process, mindmaps, websites you have seen, etc.. you can point out things, highlight, and even draw on the screen. I cannot emphasize enough how much this helps freelancers and yourself, as this way you can explain finer details instead of just referring to them as ” That black thing on the side of the site underneath that squiggly thing ” 
2. Another option is to use a Capture program like Snagit also from the same people who created camtasia. This is a nice quick way to explain to your freelancer areas on a site, banner, whatever it might be.. that you are after or that need correcting. You can snag an entire window or just a specific area. You can add text, arrows and highlight areas
3. Let’s say there is nothing online you can show the freelancer, but you have an image inside your head of what you want. For example a piece of Software or a Graphic design. Well you might not be good at sketching… but have a go… sketch it out on paper, scan it in and attach it to your project.
Bottom line is… The easier and clearer you make it for your freelancer to know what You want, the less complications and delays you are going to experience.
Also the final result is likely to be closer to what you had in mind.
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