Outsourcing is the term used to describe the process of having others perform some of the tasks commonly associated with your business. When I first started online in 2005, the idea of outsourcing did not seem appealing at all. I wanted to do everything myself. Now that more than two years have passed, I feel differently on this topic.
If your online business is going to grow, you must have help in some of the areas of your business. The first thing I outsourced was my monthly bookkeeping. I had always done my own taxes, but once I started making more money every month, it was time to turn that over to the professionals.
Now I have several people who assist me with various parts of my business. One person creates graphics and logos for me, something I could never do, and another one creates simple website templates and updates my blogging platforms. I also have someone who does my transcription, which is the typing of my teleseminars so that people can read or listen to each lesson I teach.
Because I will be traveling more in 2009, I have just contracted with someone who will act as an executive assistant, book flights and hotels, arrange for transportation to and from events, and provide customer service to my clients and students.
None of these people are employees. They are each independent contractors who also do work for others. This way they each have the freedom to do the type of work they want to do, get paid on an hourly basis for each assignment, and have the ability to turn down any work that does not fit their timeline of availability or is not something they are interested in doing.
In the beginning I recommend doing all of your own work, to the extent that you are able to, and then begin to outsource the parts that are best left to someone else. This is a form of time management, and can greatly increase your level of productivity.
Tony says
Connie, this is a great subject. You hit the nail right on the head.
The other area that is popular to outsource, even for smaller businesses, is the support of your IT infrastructure (servers, desktop support, etc). In fact, your readers may want to take a look at SupportMatch (http://www.supportmatch.org). This is a site that helps businesses review their IT needs, review their current IT service relationship and locates up to three local IT service firms to bid for their business.
Here is another blog your readers want to take a look at 10 Good Reasons to Outsource Your IT – http://www.coreconnex.com/2006/08/04/10-good-reasons-to-outsource-it-infrastructure-support
BTW, I found your blog through Twitter
Sherri Nickols says
Great advice Connie! When I first started on the internet I was overwhelmed thinking I had to do everything myself. I felt weak and frustrated by the amount of time I was wasting on things I didn’t know how to do. Once I figured out I could give the tasks I don’t enjoy to a VA my whole attitude changed and I became much more productive.