How To Outsource Articles Successfully

Good tip for adding the requirements.

When outsourcing you need to be very specific on some jobs.

My Tip
Be specific and simple in your writing as if you were explaining the job to a 15 year old.

EDITED: (ignore the above one)
My Tip
Be specific and simple in the description of your job, with your instructions as if you were explaining the job to a 15 year old. This way the risk of confusion can be reduced. Any other questions they have they can simply ask you, to sort out their query.

Agreed on being specific for outsourcing, almost create a "plan" of attack for them, so they can't mess it up. That way they know what to expect and most oursourcers are very good at following directions. Also tell them you are going to buy in bulk if the work is good and really do mean it. Once you find someone you like, stick with them or their team.

You should also tell them you are going to check the article(s) for uniqueness ...and do it, because some of the articles may not be totally unique

Exactly, David.

My point is, if you're dealing with professional people, you shouldn't have to come up with "many ways of getting the point across". They should be able to figure out exactly what you want in a few minutes with a simple email.

Again, their job is to make your life easier, not a challenge to see how many simple ways you can come up with to explain it to them!

True professionals also come with a higher price tag. That's something that alot of IMers look for, a cheaper price. Alot of times you get what you pay for... sometimes you can find that diamond in the rough. It's all in your perspective, I suppose :-)

In this scenario neither Nicole nor John Vaux is wrong.

The truth is; how you deal with providers will vary.

Just because you decide to provide detailed instructions to a potential freelancers doesn't make them less professional than someone who doesn't require or need said information or vice-a-versa.

You also have to factor in these variables when contracting out for services:

(a). Every content provider does not have the same business model
(b). Some content providers speak English as a second language. Hence, they may need detailed instructions
(c). The quality of the work will vary based upon what you are willing to pay
(d). The quality of the work will vary based upon what a provider is willing to work for
(e). The quality of the work will vary based upon how long the provider has been providing content

I order content through Textbrokers, Elance, ContentWritingSolutions and a number of other content providers and everyone has a different system of submission. Some require detailed info. Others require, just the keywords. Still other require the keywords plus a brief synopsis of what you are endeavoring to say and who your target market is.

Again, no system or method of submission is right or wrong or superior to the other.

As long as you get what you're paying for and you're happy the end result, the system is submission is really a moot point IMHO.

By the way John, that is an nice brief on how to deal with content providers on Elance.

Giles, the Crew Chief

Great information in this post ...thanks

First is search. Look for the right person who will do the job. In order to find the right one, you need the ask samples, client references and negotiate the price.

Yeah, I think there is room for both strategies in the IM world. If you're trying to build up your own team of people that you outsource to, then you'll want to follow the tips for outsourcing through sites like Elance. I really suggest keeping an outsourcing journal and taking notes on the different service providers that you hire.

Write down things you liked and didn't like so when you're outsourcing in the future you remember that. If you work with enough people it's easy to forget and get burned. Also, you may have different people you like for different tasks, categories or types of writing. When going through places like Elance, you can find lower price tags because you DO have to be more involved.

The flip side of the coin is when you go through companies like Nicole's or mine. You might be paying a higher price per article, BUT you 100% know what you're getting. Really you're trying to save on time or money. There isn't really a wrong approach as much as it just depends on what you're looking to accomplish.

Either way, once you find talent that works for you, be good to them and stick with it.

~Shelby

Your welcome thomas03