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Actual for You - Outsourcing Your Work
Every serious computer user has felt it: the fear of losing all of your data. Just what would happen if you were to lose a week’s worth of data due to file corruption? How about a month’s work? What about if you lost the entire contents of your laptop’s hard drive, potentially erasing years of data that you have been saving for personal and business use?We use our computers for many different reasons and store many different types of data on them. To some, the computer is an office workhorse…text documents, spreadsheets and databases, client co
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 o
Business runs at a fast pace. You need to consider ways in which you can comfortably slow down. Because slowing down is good for you and ultimately your business performance too...You work better when your pace is slower. It gives you the time to invest in others; in yourself. And it doesn't mean you are underperforming - on the contrary, there are many ways you will be better at what you do.After all what are deadlines really? How many things in life can survive if you leave them till the next day. The answer, of course
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
Website maintenance
Copywriting
General writing - for example of an entire eBook!
Software design/creation (for your own use or resale)
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
Individuality... uniqueness... Identification. "This above all: to thine own self be true."What do all of the above have in common? They all translate into the meaning of ‘identity’. Without it, we have no representation of our own characteristics or behaviour. Without it we remain nameless. Without it, we are in fact - lost.In an age of increasing identity theft, its importance cannot be denied. Victims of this type of theft have lost parts of themselves that are difficult or which they may never be able to retrieve. The losses are much mor
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
Website maintenance
Copywriting
General writing - for example of an entire eBook!
Software design/creation (for your own use or resale)
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 o
The term “Infopreneur” is a relatively new industry buzz word that is making waves because it opens doors for entrepreneurs to generate new streams of income. Simply put, an infopreneur sells information.Information products are offered in a variety of formats including books, e-books, special reports, audio formats, videos, workbooks, tips booklets, and virtually any method in which you can deliver information. Many successful entrepreneurs have been doing this for years. Here are some examples:*Joan Stewart is a publicity expert and operat
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
Website maintenance
Copywriting
General writing - for example of an entire eBook!
Software design/creation (for your own use or resale)
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 o
In this time of fast-changing workplace, employees need the skills and competencies to ensure future success, and to manage new work and life realities. Organizations need flexible employees, who can effectively manage change and adapt to new organizational directions. The key to achieving these goals, for both the individual and the organization, is a career plan. It is, perhaps, the most important document you will ever write.Knowing what you want is the key to getting it. So start by asking yourself some tough, fundamental questions, and answeri
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 o
1. Have an Event Marketing PlanCreate an event marketing plan that clearly defines your goals, budget and internal and external resources. The plan should be mapped out as specific as possible, but keep an open mind throughout the planning process. If you see that something is working better then other marketing initiatives, adjust your plan according…and vice versa.2. Brand Your Meeting or EventBranding your meeting or event with a look and feel sends a consistent message to your attendees and will attract their attenti
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://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
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