Any Outsourcing Experience using OS sources/ like the phillipines?

[Dano1981]

Hello warriors

I'm not looking to purchase anything right now, (please no PMs) I need to learn how to Locate sources myself.
(I do not want to be "handed" a fish, instead I need to learn how to "fish" that is what I need )


I'm looking for an "approach" to locate and determine a viable source of low cost "reliable" services?

What type of success have you had outsourcing things like backlinks and such, from the phils? I believe I've heard of some using Odesk. I've never used them. I've never purchased from fiverr either, because it seems it can be risky, and there are some "fly by nights" on there as well. But I'm looking for a "method" to find a good source. Just a good way to sort through prospects from very low cost sources.

What are your sources and is there a good way to reliable sources for cheap cheap services? perhaps a streamlined approach?

Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated

Danni~

[BigNorm]

I tried using a VA from the Philippians and to be honest, I wouldn't do it again. The company I used gave me two different people, and while both were genuinely eager to help, their lack of English hindered them a lot. I was constantly having to chase up assigned tasks, explain things and then re explain them.

I think the problem with out sourcing to the Philippians is the fact that it's so cheap that one VA handles numerous people. They say it's not the case but I found days where the VA has done very little work in an 8 hour shift, which if I had done, would have taken me an hour or so.

Others may have had more favorable results but I won't outsource to the Philippians again.

[mosthost]

ESL is going to be too big of an issue because it's so highly correlated with low quality.

[Rankx]

In my experience, the best way is by trying them out yourself. In building my company, I tried the service of most of my providers and after seeing that they really do work, I was comfortable in having them work for me for our clients. The fact is that unless you try them yourself, there really is no way you can be 100% sure. One of the elements of business is risk taking and you have to be willing take a little risk. I have seen for myself that quality doesn't always mean allot of money. If you check out my company for example, you would see what I mean.

[packerfan]

I've literally had over 100 folks working for me at various times (writers, programmers, VAs, designers, etc.) and here's the absolute best advice I can give you.


Spend A LOT of time finding a VERY good staffing manager / hiring manager. I don't care if it takes you 40 hours of interviewing for this one position.

And then let them screen all your candidates, and find the top 3 for you to interview and choose. Eventually they will get the idea of what you're looking for and will be able to do the hiring for you.

I personally use Odesk mostly, but I've found good folks on Elance as well.

My staffing manager now does everything from writing my job descriptions, all my interviewing, hiring, project management, paying contractors, etc. Best move I ever made.