I have wasted 4 hours today: How much do you outsource?

[madison_avenue]

I have spent 4 hours today building a HTML table of information on my site. I had to go to various web sites to get the information and insert it, all in all, very time consuming.

After I had completed it I thought I have wasted 4 hours. I could have outsourced that task for $10. Someone experienced in this could have done it in half the time, while I could have done something which would have earned me more than $2.50 per hour.

I have now made a resolution to outsource everything as much as I can, I am going to outsource virtually everything and concentrate on the critical elements of my business. Trying to make small savings by doing everything myself is an inefficient use of my time.

[Neil S]

Outsourcing is the single biggest difference in the growth of my business.

If you have a system down that is profitable then by all means outsource it!

You will see an explosion in your profits.

[fitzwar]

The only way you will succeed is if you outsource the tasks that you feel could be done by someone else, for example for all my link building i outsource all these work and any data entry tasks. Your time is the key to running your business successfully and if you can outsource the mindless tasks to someone else then thats a step forward

Good luck

[markshields]

I have a friend here in the UK who has just started outsourcing and he is seeing great leverage and results from having a virutal assistant therefore I would say definetely outsource the tasks you are not fully competent with as the last post said also

[JennSpencerIM]

My hubby and I outsource everything we don't like to do or don't want to do...so that's about 90% of the work! Really though, its so cheap and effective to outsource that it would be silly to waste your whole morning on something that someone else can do while you are doing results producing activities! Odesk and Elance and Guru should be your best friends! Definitely leverage your efforts with outsourcing as much as is feasible for you and your business..that's what we do and have NEVER regretted a decision to outsource over doing it ourselves!!

[actionplanbiz]

eventually you just want to Own the Business and have other people run it for you.

[madison_avenue]

Thanks for your replies guys, it's been really helpful. I didn't realize how easy it is to fritter away time on ridiculously minor tasks. I believe almost everything can be outsourced, it's a false economy to try to do everything yourself. There are five main elements to my internet business:

1. The business side- including marketing strategy, keyword research, SEO strategy, competitor intelligence, etc

2. Backlinking - tasks

3. The technical side - server platform etc

4. Web design - graphics etc

5. The content

I want to able to spend 90% of my time on the first one, the business side, not on the other four elements.

[Chris Pambos]

Outsourcing is what allows you to grow and expand your online business rather than be stuck peddling water which you can only grow your online business to a certain extent.

I primarily outsource as much as possible, the primary aspects of my online business which I focus on is my business metrics, tracking and looking for new avenues that will allow me to scale my marketing allowing me to increase the number of virtual employees I have and also grow and expand my online businesses.

[kenj]

I have started outsourcing many things this year.

I keep doing the things I am good at and let others do my graphics, articles, and templates. I also have people posting to some of my blogs for me

I mainly write reports and newsletters and set up new websites.

Kenj

[JamesRad]

Outsourcing is the key to success, just look at the top guys and girls how many of them do all the tasks themselves.

The important thing is to be able to outsource the work in a way that doesn't get you to involved and still lets you measure the outcome.

Just look at the businesses in the main stream what do they have?

A system that makes money and people to follow the system and do the tasks.

Mcdonalds, Coke Cola etc.

I now outsource my copyrighting and Web Design I have teamed up with a couple of local guys that take care of these tasks for me. It helps me to concentrate on the money getting tasks, like reading WF. lol.

James

P.S Still running the offer below, yes I know its Tuesday.

[Desdichata]

I may have to start outsourcing for graphics. I have the technical ability to create graphics but I lack the ability to visualize what the graphics should look like. Thanks for the idea.

[Sirago]

Originally Posted by Desdichata

I may have to start outsourcing for graphics. I have the technical ability to create graphics but I lack the ability to visualize what the graphics should look like. Thanks for the idea.

Don't you hate that? I'm wonderful with computers and I know how to run Illustrator and Photoshop but I can't ever create a graphic that I'm satisfied with.

[Scott Ames]

Originally Posted by actionplanbiz

eventually you just want to Own the Business and have other people run it for you.

Spot on. That's what Pierre Omidyar did when he got big enough. He started eBay and I'm sure he worked a ton, but now someone else does the day to day and he can just play.

[jborjaperez]

Hey,

I outsourced for the first time like 2 days ago.. and should have the report back within 24hrs.. hopefully it goes well!

[mark z]

Originally Posted by jborjaperez

Hey,

I outsourced for the first time like 2 days ago.. and should have the report back within 24hrs.. hopefully it goes well!

Just to emphasize that finding reliable associates with integrity is crucial thing.

Outsource market is huge and there are many great yet affordable companies and freelancers but it certainly takes some time to find appropriate one.

But when you find those who fit your needs you`ll be amazed how helpfull they are in saving your time and letting you dedicate to more quality planning and taking control of complete project.

Wish you to find your outsourcing partners asap

[blackjack]

so where is the best place to outsource?

[Charann Miller]

Outsourcing is fantastic, it's a win-win for all involved and if you want to take your business to the next level you really need to explore this option.

A great place to outsource is right here in this forum as well as e-lance, some people swear by odesk but I've yet to use them.

[Kirahster]

I think that it s good thing that you wasted 4 hours doing this task.

At least now you know how to do it, you can probably do it again if required. Knowledge is powerful and in the four hours you spent today you gained knowledge.

This knowledge will probably also make it easier for you to outsource this task also because you know exactly what needs to be done to complete it.

[JamesRad]

I have found the best place to find outsource partners are here on WF Warrior for Hire and also I have found people in my local area both advertising on the net and came across them in my web design and Seo Consultancy capacity.

Always good to check their work and if possible ask for a small sample 1st. If not, select a low cost service from them and gauge the quality.

You need to be able to give this person a task and know it will be completed to the correct standard and time.

Don't always think you are going to get a bargain by using a cheap service, then again you aren't guaranteed the best by paying the highest price.

The only way to tell is to order some work from them.

Tip on Article Outsourcing - If you are outsourcing article creation especially to other countries, study the sales letter or email they send you to gauge their English ability.

My 2 cents

James

[aronan]

While I have used Odesk and Elance and Guru with success I also like to give local folks some of my outsourcing work - feels good to contribute to my local economy and I've developed some wonderful friendships this way too.

[JoshClosson]

Outsourcing is something that I definitely need to dig into as it is something I haven't really prioritized lately. Having to do monotonous tasks and manage everything really does hinder what you can accomplish and how much your business can earn you, I know this first hand. It's something that everyone needs to consider as they move along in their business and begin to make progress.

[brettmwindmann]

Outsourcing is by far the best way to get a lot more done in less time. Not to mention it allows you to do what you are best at and outsource other tasks which you do not quite understand or wish to not learn.

For as cheap as you can outsource most of the "busy" work it is something I use and highly recommend.

[Billy Rey]

i also agree.

outsourcing might be scary at first but if you're able to get the right people (eventually) you won't want to turn back.

Nowadays, i just focus on traffic generation and outsource content and the others.

[redicelander]

I love outsourcing. At the moment I am stalled with money though so I need to do all the hard work myself. I plan to start outsourcing A LOT more in January.

[BIG Mike]

If you're not outsourcing, you're really just working for your business instead of your business working for you. Tht's OK when you're just starting out, because you've often got more time than money anyways.

As your business grows, you've got to evolve too - and understand your role in that business. Your "Job" is to steer the ship if you will, not swab the decks.

Just imagine a Bill Gates or a Steve Jobs sitting at their desks writing up sales copy or sketching out the design of the next product.

You can start finding good people right here in the Warrior Forum to outsource to - and if cash is a problem, you could try bartering an exchange of services, i.e.; swapping graphics for HTML work, etc.

The key is to surround yourself with talented, effect people you're outsourcing to, keep them happy and productive and you'll save a lot of time and headaches constantly looking for more people.