| Casual Articles |
Hubs | Hubbers | Topics | Request |
| #1 in Business | Subscribe Email Print |
|
You are here: Home > Business > Outsourcing > Outsourcing Your Work |
|
Casual Articles - Outsourcing Your Work
Customer Service And The Difference Between Value And Worth th the risk and potential extra hassle. Go with someone that has already proven themselves.Have you ever looked at the difference between the value of a Customer relationship and what that Customer is worth? Lets take a look at the difference between the two.Say your average customer spends only $100.00 per transaction with you. And, you transact business with an average of 10 customers per day. That’s $1000.00 per day. If you are open 20 days a month that equals a total of $20000.00. Pretty simple math, right?Now, we are open 12 months a year, and that equals $240,000.00. If you make one person unhappy per day, that’s $2000.00 a 5. If your project is to create something that you want to resell (for example a software product or an eBook) make sure that you stress in the brief that at the end of the project, you will own the copyright and will have access to the source code/files. Obviously you want to ensure that the freelancer doesn't come back to you in the future complaining that you are selling his/her work and that you can edit the product if you need to without having to find the original creator. It would also be wise to include a condition stating that the freelancer is not allowed to use your product in the future for someone else or indeed sell it themselves. As for which freelance site to use, there are three that I recommend but my absolute fave is http:// Getting Started As A Real Estate Investor A few weeks ago I touched on the subject of getting other people to do your work for you. I want to cover this topic in a bit more detail as outsourcing is a superb way of saving yourself both time and money.For most of us, the issue is getting started. How do I start? Where do I start? And so forth.I know from my own personal experience years ago, just how intimidating it is to embark on a career change. I first became interested in real estate way back in the mid 1980's. I knew I wanted to increase my earning potential, and have a business where I did not have to worry about punching a clock. I wanted my hours to be my own.I love being out doors on pretty days, and sitting in a little gray cubicle day after day is for me, like being in pris By way of example, let me start with a short story :-) At 8.30pm one night last week, I started to wonder whether it would be possible to automate a particular part of one of my website design processes. At present I do this task semi-manually and it takes me about 4 hours to generate a multi-page website. Anyway, by 8.45pm I had scratched out an outline of what I would need a new custom piece of software to do to automate this task and by 8.59pm the 'project' was advertised on one of the main freelance websites.... Within 2 minutes I had the first bid from a programmer.... Within 15 minutes I had four more bids.... Within 45 minutes I had accepted a bid and the programmer was working on the project. Two days and $75 later (and with less than an hours work required by me) and I had a brand new piece of custom software which can complete the task in question in seconds rather than hours! With several excellent freelance sites around nowadays, it is very easy to find a programmer/web designer/writer/whatever that will be happy to work with you and the cost (as illustrated above) will often be far less than you might expect. If you spend some time thinking about the type of tasks you could outsource, I am sure you will soon come up with a fairly substantial list. The following are just a few ideas: Website design And so the list goes on.... Of course, as with anything, there are a few things to be aware of when outsourcing so here are my top tips for a successful project: 1. Only post your project on the main freelance sites (list below). This will give you the best exposure and the highest level of competition from bidders. This means keen pricing and a good range of expertise from which to choose from. 2. When you post your project, ensure that you detail EXACTLY what is required. The more information the better. If you start adding to the brief after a freelancer has placed his/her bid, expect the price to rise.... 3. Try and keep the brief as simple as possible. Remember that English may not be the first language of some of the freelancers and whilst I have never had any communication problems (in fact, most of the programmers I have used have a better standard of written English than the majority of my fellow countrymen!), it makes sense not to over-complicate matters with slang etc that may not be understood. 4. Don't always opt for the lowest bid. All of the freelance sites listed below allow you to view feedback ratings for freelancers and I usually base my decision on this rating. I would rather pay a bit extra and use someone with a superb rating than save a bit of money and use a new freelancer. They may be great at what they do but unfortunately when you are dealing with people at a distance, you have no way of knowing and in my view, it isn't worth the risk and potential extra hassle. Go with someone that has already proven themselves. 5. If your project is to create something that you want to resell (for example a software product or an eBook) make sure that you stress in the brief that at the end of the project, you will own the copyright and will have access to the source code/files. Obviously you want to ensure that the freelancer doesn't come back to you in the future complaining that you are selling his/her work and that you can edit the product if you need to without having to find the original creator. It would also be wise to include a condition stating that the freelancer is not allowed to use your product in the future for someone else or indeed sell it themselves. As for which freelance site to use, there are three that I recommend but my absolute fave is http://w Why New Non-profits Shouldn't Use Direct Mail Fundraising Donation Request Letters to Raise Funds ..Be warned. If you’re starting a non-profit and don’t have $100,000 in the bank, don’t use direct mail. You literally cannot afford to use direct mail to raise funds right now.Launching a new non-profit is like launching a new business. You need to spend money to make money. You cannot start a non-profit with no money any more than you can start a business with no money. You need to raise start-up capital somehow, but that somehow shouldn't be direct mail fundraising letters. Here’s why.Direct mail fundr Within 45 minutes I had accepted a bid and the programmer was working on the project. Two days and $75 later (and with less than an hours work required by me) and I had a brand new piece of custom software which can complete the task in question in seconds rather than hours! With several excellent freelance sites around nowadays, it is very easy to find a programmer/web designer/writer/whatever that will be happy to work with you and the cost (as illustrated above) will often be far less than you might expect. If you spend some time thinking about the type of tasks you could outsource, I am sure you will soon come up with a fairly substantial list. The following are just a few ideas: Website design And so the list goes on.... Of course, as with anything, there are a few things to be aware of when outsourcing so here are my top tips for a successful project: 1. Only post your project on the main freelance sites (list below). This will give you the best exposure and the highest level of competition from bidders. This means keen pricing and a good range of expertise from which to choose from. 2. When you post your project, ensure that you detail EXACTLY what is required. The more information the better. If you start adding to the brief after a freelancer has placed his/her bid, expect the price to rise.... 3. Try and keep the brief as simple as possible. Remember that English may not be the first language of some of the freelancers and whilst I have never had any communication problems (in fact, most of the programmers I have used have a better standard of written English than the majority of my fellow countrymen!), it makes sense not to over-complicate matters with slang etc that may not be understood. 4. Don't always opt for the lowest bid. All of the freelance sites listed below allow you to view feedback ratings for freelancers and I usually base my decision on this rating. I would rather pay a bit extra and use someone with a superb rating than save a bit of money and use a new freelancer. They may be great at what they do but unfortunately when you are dealing with people at a distance, you have no way of knowing and in my view, it isn't worth the risk and potential extra hassle. Go with someone that has already proven themselves. 5. If your project is to create something that you want to resell (for example a software product or an eBook) make sure that you stress in the brief that at the end of the project, you will own the copyright and will have access to the source code/files. Obviously you want to ensure that the freelancer doesn't come back to you in the future complaining that you are selling his/her work and that you can edit the product if you need to without having to find the original creator. It would also be wise to include a condition stating that the freelancer is not allowed to use your product in the future for someone else or indeed sell it themselves. As for which freelance site to use, there are three that I recommend but my absolute fave is http:// Mobile Auto Detailers and Newspaper Companies as Clientele eation (for your own use or resale)If you are a mobile auto detailer or mobile car wash company you might wish to think of attaining the local newspaper as a strategic client for your services. Usually newspapers have large staffs, especially daily newspapers. They do everything in house to save costs. They obviously have lots of cars to clean and this means plenty of customers. In fact as a mobile auto detailer or car washer this could be a half a days stop on your route or even a full day depending on the size or the paper. Think of the employees of a newspaper?Newsroom/Editoria Graphic design Script installation (and creation) Dealing with your support emails Finding new affiliates Finding new link exchange partners And so the list goes on.... Of course, as with anything, there are a few things to be aware of when outsourcing so here are my top tips for a successful project: 1. Only post your project on the main freelance sites (list below). This will give you the best exposure and the highest level of competition from bidders. This means keen pricing and a good range of expertise from which to choose from. 2. When you post your project, ensure that you detail EXACTLY what is required. The more information the better. If you start adding to the brief after a freelancer has placed his/her bid, expect the price to rise.... 3. Try and keep the brief as simple as possible. Remember that English may not be the first language of some of the freelancers and whilst I have never had any communication problems (in fact, most of the programmers I have used have a better standard of written English than the majority of my fellow countrymen!), it makes sense not to over-complicate matters with slang etc that may not be understood. 4. Don't always opt for the lowest bid. All of the freelance sites listed below allow you to view feedback ratings for freelancers and I usually base my decision on this rating. I would rather pay a bit extra and use someone with a superb rating than save a bit of money and use a new freelancer. They may be great at what they do but unfortunately when you are dealing with people at a distance, you have no way of knowing and in my view, it isn't worth the risk and potential extra hassle. Go with someone that has already proven themselves. 5. If your project is to create something that you want to resell (for example a software product or an eBook) make sure that you stress in the brief that at the end of the project, you will own the copyright and will have access to the source code/files. Obviously you want to ensure that the freelancer doesn't come back to you in the future complaining that you are selling his/her work and that you can edit the product if you need to without having to find the original creator. It would also be wise to include a condition stating that the freelancer is not allowed to use your product in the future for someone else or indeed sell it themselves. As for which freelance site to use, there are three that I recommend but my absolute fave is http:// A Powerful, Profit-Generating Strategy Any Business Can Use and keep the brief as simple as possible. Remember that English may not be the first language of some of the freelancers and whilst I have never had any communication problems (in fact, most of the programmers I have used have a better standard of written English than the majority of my fellow countrymen!), it makes sense not to over-complicate matters with slang etc that may not be understood.Teleconferences, also known as teleseminars, are fast becoming one of the most valuable strategies you can use to increase your market position, your lead generation list and your profit margins. You can quickly become known as an expert in both your field and market through the power of teleconferences.Why Host A Teleconference? Consultants, coaches, speakers and trainers can literally make tens of thousands - even hundreds of thousands – of high profit margin dollars without ever having to leave home.Vendors can easily educate their clien 4. Don't always opt for the lowest bid. All of the freelance sites listed below allow you to view feedback ratings for freelancers and I usually base my decision on this rating. I would rather pay a bit extra and use someone with a superb rating than save a bit of money and use a new freelancer. They may be great at what they do but unfortunately when you are dealing with people at a distance, you have no way of knowing and in my view, it isn't worth the risk and potential extra hassle. Go with someone that has already proven themselves. 5. If your project is to create something that you want to resell (for example a software product or an eBook) make sure that you stress in the brief that at the end of the project, you will own the copyright and will have access to the source code/files. Obviously you want to ensure that the freelancer doesn't come back to you in the future complaining that you are selling his/her work and that you can edit the product if you need to without having to find the original creator. It would also be wise to include a condition stating that the freelancer is not allowed to use your product in the future for someone else or indeed sell it themselves. As for which freelance site to use, there are three that I recommend but my absolute fave is http:// Delegate: Tasks Must To Go To The Right Person th the risk and potential extra hassle. Go with someone that has already proven themselves.SELECTING THE RIGHT PERSON: To whom should tasks be delegated? Selecting the right subordinate to do the work is an evaluative process, and managers must be able to identify individuals both capable and willing to handle responsibility.DETERMINING EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY: A careful review should be made of past assumptions about personnel. Some employees’ capabilities may be overestimated, others underestimated. A personnel survey or personal interview is an excellent tool managers can use to reassess their subordinates, determine what additional d 5. If your project is to create something that you want to resell (for example a software product or an eBook) make sure that you stress in the brief that at the end of the project, you will own the copyright and will have access to the source code/files. Obviously you want to ensure that the freelancer doesn't come back to you in the future complaining that you are selling his/her work and that you can edit the product if you need to without having to find the original creator. It would also be wise to include a condition stating that the freelancer is not allowed to use your product in the future for someone else or indeed sell it themselves. As for which freelance site to use, there are three that I recommend but my absolute fave is http://www.thetraderonline.com/scriptlance.html and this is definitely my 'site of choice'. Alternatively, try www.eLance.com or www.Rentacoder.com Copyright 2005 Richard Grady
HTTP = HTML link (for blogs, profiles,phorums):
Related Articles:Have you Said Your Praise Today ? Which Marketing Solution is Right for You? How to Put Law & Order into Marketing Your Legal Practice
|