In any industry, people can get burnt out, bored, or feel unappreciated. It's the job of a good leader to make sure each and every team member stays engaged and motivated. Here's a list of the four most important ways to do that:

Recognition

When your team member goes above and beyond in some way, make it a point to commend her for her contribution. This can be done in several ways, and depending on the size of your team and their personalities, you can make adjustments.

Sometimes showing recognition might mean a one-on-one thank you or taking someone out to lunch. Another team member might find being thanked in front of the rest of the team to be especially gratifying. Someone else may appreciate a recommendation on her LinkedIn page or even a small gift such as a bottle of wine. Match your expression to the personality of the team member.

Compassionate correction

Everyone makes mistakes, even the smartest, hardest-working and proficient of your team members. When that happens, address the problem with compassion. If they are aware of their mistake, it's very likely they are already embarrassed and regret the error.

It never helps to yell or to make someone feel badly. Don't pretend it didn't happen, but let them know you are aware of the problem and that you want it to be fixed. Also, work with that person to craft a plan to ensure the error doesn't happen again.

Job security

Even contractors want to know that they will still be employed next month. If you don't have a contract set up, make sure you get one signed by both sides so no one is left to wonder where they stand. If the contract is coming to a close, address it with the team member well in advance so if you want them to continue working with you, they will be available. If you don't need their services, it's kind to let them know, so they can start searching for a new gig elsewhere.

Competitive pay

This is a big one. In the gig economy, you get what you pay for. If you don't want to pay much for a skilled labor (such as web development or copywriting), then you won't be able to hire the quality talent you want. Do some research on current wages for the types of team members you want to hire, and pay accordingly. Oh, and pay on time!

But what happens when you're deep in your business and you really don't have time to devote to motivating your team in these ways? An online business manager keeps the team motivated in their work.