Using Elance – How to hire outsourcers who kick ass rather than sucking it.
High Five!
Recently I have been evangelizing about the benefits of outsourcing tasks in your home business.
I know it can be hard to relinquish responsibility to other people, especially if you’re a control freak like me. And I understand that it can be especially difficult when you have to pay for the privilege…
But outsourcing tasks will free up time for you to work on the things that really make the difference.
It will pay off in spades.
So, having convinced you in three lazily-constructed half-sentences that outsourcing is A Really Good Thing, I’m now going to introduce you to a great resource called Elance.
Elance is essentially a big market place that allows people who want stuff done to get together with people who want to get paid to do stuff.
Which is great. Because we’ve all got a lot of stuff.
So how does this work, Mr. JJ man?
Well, imaginary blog reader sycophant, the way I like to use Elance is to post details of my project or task and then watch as the people who want to get paid to do stuff flood me with bids for the work I’m offering.
This is nice and easy and simple and inflates my sense of self-importance.
Posting jobs on Elance does wonders for your self-esteem.
I like that.
So, are you going to give us some awesome tips, as per usual Mr. Jalopy?
Sure thing m’lady…
How to post an awesome job description
Make your project description clear and specific. Say exactly what you want and when you want it. Have other people read it and then explain back to you what they have understood.
If there is any possible way that something can be misinterpreted, it probably will be. <<Insert your own amusing illustrative story here, if you like. Go wild>>
So yeah. Basically you want to remove any possibility of misinterpretation.
And add attachments or links to your website, if relevant, to illustrate what you want done. If you have sketches, brainstorms or notes then scan them and upload them. A picture is worth a thousand words and all that.
How to pick a bidder that kicks ass rather than sucking it
After a few hours, hungry providers will start to submit bids.
It can be pretty overwhelming sometimes. It might make you feel a little slutty the first time.
Some of these will be better than others.
This is me being polite. Most of the responses you get are going to suck ass. You don’t want an ass-sucking outsourcer. So, to sort the wheat from the chaff, ask yourself the following questions:
Have they actually, you know, read your job description?
Many bidders will bid on anything without really looking at the description. People that do this are usually doing this because they have to. They’re playing a nasty spammy, slutty numbers game. Because they suck.
How long have they been on Elance?
Ideally you want someone with some experience. Obviously.
What is their feedback like?
People who’ve had stuff done can leave feedback on people who did stuff. Look through the bidder’s previous feedback and comments to figure out if they did a good job and if people were generally happy with them.
People are usually pretty honest and you can get some good insight here.
Do they address any of the specific issues you highlighted in your job description?
Do they give some indication of how exactly how they can help you?
Have they looked at your website and the documentation you sent them? Have they taken the time to spell out the specific benefits that hiring them will give you?
Or are they sending you the same generic responses that they send out to everyone?
How to make sure the person you’ve chosen does what you want them to do?
Sometimes people misunderstand each other.
Most of the time people misunderstand each other.
So don’t assume that your lovely new outsourcing chap actually understands what you want him to do.
Before you let him get to work ask him to explain back to you exactly what he thinks are your requirements. Correct and clarify as necessary. Rinse and repeat.
Now, once your outsourcer can explain to you what you need him to do, identify relevant milestones and set up a system by which he can provide regular updates so you can ensure everything stays on track, or you can identify problems early on.
I like to receive daily short email updates, in which my provider will list what they’ve achieved and any questions they might have.
Be specific with your feedback requirements. If you want him to spend no more than 5 minutes on a daily email update, then tell him that. Otherwise he’ll probably write an essay. Again, assume nothing.
What do you do once it’s all done?
Give honest feedback and testimonials.
Make sure you keep in touch with them if they did a great job, and refer them to your friends and colleagues. They’ll both love you for it.
Share the love!
Cool, eh?
Do you have any tips you’d like to add? Talk to me in the comments. I love comments – especially yours.
See you later dude(tte)!
JJ Jalopy.
Comment by Anthony Lemme
10 June 2009
I’ve wondered about outsourcing. I never knew it was so potentially overwhelming and problematic. I think the advice you gave would spare someone much potential grief. Sweet!
Anthony
http://www.anthonylemme.com
The Most Powerful Personal Growth and Mind Development Tool on Earth
Anthony Lemme’s latest internet ramble.We’d Rather Be Ruined Than Change
Comment by Duane Cunningham
10 June 2009
Hey JJ,
Have used Elance on a few occasions with mixed success…some slack as providers and a couple of good ones who I still work with
Have found the best people to work with at the warrior forum actually
Great post!
Duane
Super-ADVANCED Persuasion Techniques & Influence Training Proven to Quickly Create a Flood of Money?Constantly & Continuously Flowing into YOUR?Bank Account Like the Niagara Falls…?100% GUARANTEED!!
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Comment by Darryl Pace
10 June 2009
JJ,
I’ve used Elance a few times, and it works just as you’ve described. It’s great. Also, after you work with a vendor, if you’re satisfied, it is easy to continue working with them either directly or through Elance. Overall, elance is quite good.
Health, Fitness — Darryl Pace
Fitness Product Review
Darryl Pace’s latest internet ramble.Getting In Better Aerobic Shape
Comment by Pam Schulz
11 June 2009
Great information on outsourcing “chores.”
Pam
Invest in Your Future
Pam Schulz´s last blog ..The Strength of Markets
Comment by John Ho
11 June 2009
JJ,
It’s good to revisit great pointers like this!
John Ho
Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personality for Better Influence & Persuasion (WordPress Blog)
Numerology Expert Birthday Numeroscope (Vox Blog)
Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personality for Better Influence & Persuasion
John Ho´s last blog ..Numerology Expert Says He’s Taking Kevin Hogan’s Professional Speakers’ eCourse, followed by his Writer’s eCourse
Comment by JJ Jalopy
12 June 2009
@Anthony – It’s not so scary. It’s actually pretty invigorating. It opens up a whole world of opportunities. You and I need to chat soon. I’ll try and catch you on Skype this weekend.
@Duane – I’ve never really explored the Warrior Forum that much. I went on a couple of times and it felt like there were a million teenage “internet marketers” trying to bum-rush me… Maybe a limiting belief on my part
@Darryl – High Five for the big guy!!
@Pam – Thanks. Always good to have someone else dod the chores for you!!!
@John Ho Ho Ho – Thanks dude. I’ve missed your blog for a couple of days. Looking forward to having you back!
Comment by Single Boomer Dating Cougar Dating
13 June 2009
LOVE the great graphics you got going there.
Elance is a wonderful tool and resource, isn’t it?
Best regards,
April Braswell
Single Boomer Dating Expert, Relationship Success Coach
Widow Support and Bereavement Counseling Outreach Workshop Orange County, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, CA
Comment by Lisa McLellan
28 June 2009
Oh yes, I’ve used Elance. A very talented graphic designer from Elance designed the logo for Baby Sitting World that I so love. Go Elance!
Lisa McLellan
Babysitting Services – Babysitters and Nannies
Comment by Steve Chambers
2 July 2009
Good advice on how to use a great resources.
Steve Chambers, The Sales Expert
The Sales Eagle Solution – 6 months to dominate your market