Outsourcing - Aforethoughts, What's Your Take on Outsourcing Gigs??
So, I'm finally getting off my arse again, and currently doing something more long-term along the lines of compiling a lot of rich content on a blog/website, as opposed to creating thin affiliate sites with only 3-5 pages of content, and simply linking out to 3rd party offers. (*Which I'll still be doing as well...)
To date, I've never given much thought to outsourcing or have felt such a need to do so, until I began laying out this project .
However, in this constructive process, and in laying out my sites 'exoskeleton' fundamentals... such as; categories, service offerings, affiliate program, product pages, etc...
One of the main areas I am 'considering' applying a greater focus on, is in offering writing services, web-design, maybe even consultations, list management or creating lead generating platforms for businesses, along with some copywriting, and/or creative paid advertising campaigns, from an independent contractor vantage point. (*Not leaning towards coaching or anything like that, but more in alignment w/ B2B relative networking.)
Whilst I am NOT immediately prepared to take on clients or ready to take on any direct projects as of the moment, I am considering adding an 'open invitation' to web designers, writers, lead generation/list building specialists, etc... whereby, if my (future) audience needs quality work done, I'd like to aide them in receiving the best value and talent available... basically, close the sales, and mediate the transactions and deliveries, if you will.
You know, be the Better Boss (then most of the ones that I've had or worked with over the years), and supervise/oversee, an organize a crew or team of quality minded players & talent.
Up until now, I would normally just send send visitors to an affiliate's website, and be the one-man show (hiding behind affiliate marketing)... but that doesn't do much in the way of "branding" my own business, nor in offering much in direct connection with assuming the authoritative role, and helping "directly solve" many of the visitors problem(s) or desired outcomes. (*Ok, well maybe it does, but it doesn't build my brand, credibility,... or keep the visitor on my website!)
So, in the 'aforethought' of hiring (or working with) say a 'web-designer' for example and considerations to 'outsourcing' projects, which way would you go?
1.) Let the Web Designer deal direct with the client, and have them sign a no-compete, or written agreement that the job itself is property of (Company Name Here), and simply mediate the transaction/delivery/sale, etc...?
*Naturally, the web-designer would be paid accordingly - I'm thinking 50% - 75% of the job as a sub-contractor representing the sale thru my company name, as I really do not want hourly or salaried employees. (Not currently, anyway.) I've always preferred 'incentive based' earnings...the more you do, the more you make!
-Or-
2.) Take on the entire project independently, whereby, I personally sell the job, outsource it, and then personally deliver the product (or maybe through a trusted VA), who then sets up the C-panel, Wordpress, etc... and just pay the designer to create it, as if it were a paid project for me directly?
*The latter seems the safer bet, but would in essence defeat a great deal of the reason, I would consider hiring a web-designer to do projects for my (future) clients.
I think ultimately what I am curious to know is; can a working relationship between a web-designer, the client, and myself flow smoothly from the perspective that I am in essence "The Contractor' hiring a "Sub-contractor" to deliver the finished projects to my clients?
If so, what protection do I have that my 'sub-contractor' being in direct communication with my client won't 'cut-my-throat' or in essence steal the job?
Note: Being that I was a 6-figure earner as a productive sub-contractor offline (swimming pool construction, repair, and renovations) for years, I can honestly say; "I never bit the hand that feeds"... but, somehow I am almost deathly afraid that finding quality/honest talent online may be a bit more complicated in what appears today's desperate economy, and the overall mindset for fast cash thinking, as a result.
In short, I'm starting feel it's time to start branching out, and offering more to my future visitors, then just being focused on quietly marketing affiliate products, or writing articles focused on 'other' peoples products/services.
Finally, I think the other reason I've hesitated for so long to explore the endless possibilities of outsourcing more, was primarily in fear it would somehow deprive both my continued studies (of all things business/IM related) and take away from my eventual desire to publish/write books (or create QUALITY info products) in the future.
Hell, I don't know, maybe I'm just thinking out loud, cause lately - all these "I wanna-be rich the easy way threads" have me so disgusted - it's either go All-IN this time online, use the knowledge I've obtained, or bail altogether, and stick with inexpensive offline start-ups again, which generally don't offer the long-term rewards the internet does. Strangely enough, I seem to have more confidence in myself "offline" than that of creating a successful online venture single-handed-ly, up to this point.
It's funny, cause when I read many of the questions people ask here... I feel to have a fairly acute amount of knowledge, and often forget... (as my focus is always on mastering or becoming more efficient at the next study) - whereby, I question; if I'm wasting the knowledge I already have, as opposed to truly exercising much of it?
Meanwhile, having owned and operated 4 small businesses offline (over a span of 22 years), and having confidence in my personal-ability "Offline" to do so again (as a one-man army) like in my past... I know could do that fairly easily.
However, now I find my only real interest (or obsession rather) is in building a 'publications platform' online... of which, will require an ample amount of tine, money, and effort. I've observed and collected many of the pieces needed over the years, and study in great depth, and have still yet to fully- create the reality.
Doing so, will surely require a team, as I've tried to 'outline and start constructing' similar ideas prior, only to have gotten frustrated, and running back to the security of creating an offline gig, as time, money, and incoming bills demanded.
Even "Offline" - I almost always did everything myself! - So, to consider outsourcing has always been kinda taboo to me. Perhaps, I am fearful of relinguishing control? - I don't know... perhaps.
I think, the real problem is being overly concerned for the success and growth of those whom I would in essence recruit or outsource the work to, as to me, there is a responsibility in seeing to it that they achieve their goals as well, so it's NOT greed that hinders me.
It may seem a stretch, but the one thing I really desire is to offer writers and other multi-talented individuals 'real' opportunities to exploit their craft, stimulate growth, and exercise the 'old school' business fundamentals that somehow seem to be getting lost in the mindset of a world bent on greed, and selfish gains. And do so, without putting foolish restrictions or earning limitations on people!
I'm NOT looking for short-term gains in any one project - (tho I could probably use some right about now) - Instead, I am all but punishing myself NOT to let the money be my focus, and all-the-while, it almost seems there's an ever-brewing community of those who 'expect' something for nothing in this world... Thus, I'm trying NOT to let it STOP me from wanting to actually HELP uplift others... but it is getting hard to maintain that focus, when so many seem ungrateful for the few freedoms and liberties that do remain.
"A man's will is no match for his appetite, and can only be measured by that which he feeds his mind upon,... and lately, I've come to realize; it's time to start eating better!" - Art
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