The Outsourcing Frenzy

36 replies
I wanted to ask you all about something that has been bugging me for a long time. Often I see Internet Marketers recommend that newbies start outsourcing content right away based on keywords and I am bothered by that.

For one, newbies often don't have a lot of money to pay for content and would be better off trading time for money until they can afford to pay for content.

Second, newbies learn a LOT by writing their own content and learning how to fit keywords into an article. This also hones their writing skills, which they will need down the road.

So why does this trend seem to be so popular, and how do you feel about it?
#frenzy #outsourcing
  • Profile picture of the author GeorgR.
    I do agree with you, you can very well do all this yourself. And it doesn't cost one penny. However, as for me, it can be that i am busy with many things, so i don't think a little money spent on outsourcing would hurt.
    Signature
    *** Affiliate Site Quick --> The Fastest & Easiest Way to Make Affiliate Sites!<--
    -> VISIT www.1UP-SEO.com *** <- Internet Marketing, SEO Tips, Reviews & More!! ***
    *** HIGH QUALITY CONTENT CREATION +++ Manual Article Spinning (Thread Here) ***
    Content Creation, Blogging, Articles, Converting Sales Copy, Reviews, Ebooks, Rewrites
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[225414].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ivana
    I agree, you should not outsource right away. First you need to learn how to connect the dots, than you start outsourcing.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[225418].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mantero Cantrow
    Yes I do agreed with you. But there is certain part where you really need to outsource, which is involves A LOT and long learning curves.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[225491].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Frank Ayres
    It is ok saying dont outsource straight away but not everyone is capable of writing their own articles.

    I outsource articles, graphics and software
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[225492].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Richard Tunnah
      I watched a video last night from Yanik Silver and part of it he talked about outsourcing. His view is that you should outsource all the things you aren't good at or don't enjoy. Don't spent weeks trying to learn them. Instead do the things you are good at and enjoy. But focusing your energy you get better results quicker.
      I have to agree with him particularly when many things can now be outsourced or partly outsourced at competitive rates now.

      Rich
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[225512].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Kyle Tully
        Originally Posted by richt1971 View Post

        I watched a video last night from Yanik Silver and part of it he talked about outsourcing. His view is that you should outsource all the things you aren't good at or don't enjoy. Don't spent weeks trying to learn them. Instead do the things you are good at and enjoy. But focusing your energy you get better results quicker.
        Spot on.

        Sure if you don't have the money then you gotta do it yourself (or partner up with someone who has complementary skills), but it you can afford to outsource (and most things are dirt cheap) then you'll reach your goals a lot faster.

        Look at it like this...

        How long does it take to get really good at article marketing? A few weeks? A few months?

        How long does it take to get really good at copywriting? A few months? A few years?

        How long does it take to get really good at PPC? A few weeks? A few months?

        And by the time you finish learning PPC you've forgotten half the stuff about article marketing and the other half has completely changed.

        And you've still only got 3 skills out of about 1,274,833 that make up IM.

        Focus on your strengths and outsource everything else!
        Signature
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[225526].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Rachel Rofe
        Originally Posted by richt1971 View Post

        I watched a video last night from Yanik Silver and part of it he talked about outsourcing. His view is that you should outsource all the things you aren't good at or don't enjoy. Don't spent weeks trying to learn them. Instead do the things you are good at and enjoy. But focusing your energy you get better results quicker.
        I have to agree with him particularly when many things can now be outsourced or partly outsourced at competitive rates now.

        Rich
        Agreed.

        And two other points...

        1. Some newbies do have money, or at least a dollar amount that they know their time is worth.

        2. I don't think writing articles helps you with your writing skills that much (well, at least not the important writing skills). You could easily outsource articles and blog posts. The important writing, I feel, is copywriting, which is far different than article writing.

        Sure, you need to have a sexy conclusion to your article with a link to a resource box, but in my opinion it's not that much of a craft.

        =)
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[230651].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ebbi
    *Opinion*
    I just don't think people like hearing that they have to do the work!
    They want to hear how it can be done the easy way.
    Also we don't all speak English as a native language, so writing
    really isn't an option for many new marketers out there.

    Sure I see where your coming from and I do agree... people should
    try to save there money in the beginning and do everything they
    can by them self's, But I'm also a firm believer in that if you don't
    spend money to make money in this market you won't succeed!

    -Ebbi
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[225560].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jedz
    Banned
    Being a sales representative of an outsourcing company, I would like to give my 2 cents about this matter.

    We all know that outsourcing has been a major element to success and beat up the competition. Because of outsourcing, you have all the time to focus more on your core business. Let other people do the things you need to do, concentrate in managing your company that will give you a better solution.

    However, remember that there are always the pro's and the con's. Trust companies that will help you gain success. Always ask for samples and references.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[226344].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jason Pereira
    Personally, I recommend that people do their first project themselves (to learn what they need, cut costs etc) and then after that is profitable, start outsourcing out of the profits. Rinse, repeat and the original money pot grows.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[226355].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Frank Bruno
      You really need to find out exactly how much your time is worth before you outsource.

      From a business standpoint, It really doesn't make much sense to outsource in less you have those numbers.

      Example:
      If your time is worth $20 an hour and it takes you an hour to write one article. It would be better for you to outsource the article writing for four $4 an hour to $10 an hour instead of spending your own time doing it.

      That way you can concentrate on other areas of your business to move it forward.

      Example #2:
      if it takes you three hours to create a graphic and your time is worth $20 then you just spent $60 on your business.

      But if you can get that same graphic created for $20 and have somebody send it to you while you're doing other important tasks that move your business forward would make a lot more sense.

      But how much is your time worth? Only you know that.

      If you're unsure how to calculate how much your time is worth drop me a PM and I'll shoot you a calculation that shows you how to figure how much your time is worth.

      Frank Bruno
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[226424].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author traces2757
    Originally Posted by nhangen View Post

    I wanted to ask you all about something that has been bugging me for a long time. Often I see Internet Marketers recommend that newbies start outsourcing content right away based on keywords and I am bothered by that.

    For one, newbies often don't have a lot of money to pay for content and would be better off trading time for money until they can afford to pay for content.

    Second, newbies learn a LOT by writing their own content and learning how to fit keywords into an article. This also hones their writing skills, which they will need down the road.

    So why does this trend seem to be so popular, and how do you feel about it?
    Well, I have to say right at the start that I'm a bit biased when it comes to this issue because I write article and web content for others. That being said, however, it does pay to learn SEO and to try to improve your writing.

    Outsourcing makes sense if you don't really want to write, don't like to write, or simply feel that it's a real weak point with you. (And if you can afford it.) Even if you outsource, it usually doesn't leave you off the hook for learning SEO. I know how to place keywords in articles for maximum optimization, but I don't choose the keywords for my clients. They furnish me with keywords and I write around them.

    One last comment. Just my opinion, but outsourcing to people who charge $1 per article will get you what you pay for. I'm honestly not saying this because I charge more than that, I'm saying this as an editor who has recoiled in horror at some of the articles that have crossed my desk.

    If you're going to outsource, ask for one sample article first (ideally you should pay for it, but that is between you and the writer). Choose the keywords and tell them what kind of article you want. Decide after that if you will use this writer or writing service.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[226483].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Spike SpiegelIM
    Yeah things that you find tedious or just not very good at it, you should definitely consider outsourcing. Whatever works to increase your productivity. But at least learn how a certain task is done..
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[226504].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Scott_Thomas
    I believe it is important to learn how to do it yourself first; and then by all means outsource the tasks that are time consuming and you really would rather not do anyway.

    Learning it yourself first does not mean becoming an expert. But you should get a basic understanding of the process, effort, and your abilities to perform the task. Have this foundation will make it much easier if and when you decide to outsource. It's hard to tell someone else what you want done when you don't know yourself.

    my two cents!
    Signature

    Scott Thomas
    Get 3 FREE videos to learn how to become an entrepreneur online <---click here

    Continuous Learning meets Continuous Earning

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[226766].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ivana
      After you learn the ropes, outsource as much as you can. But not until you learn the ropes, because it can be worse than doing PPC. Once you know exactly what you are doing, why not outsource. After all, you will most likely make a lot more money! and work less. But don't outsource until you know what you are doing.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[230616].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Warrior Simon
        I spent over 1 year buying IM products, learned a lot but never took serious action.
        Outsourcing has never been an option because of the "costs".
        So I kept buying IM stuff to find a way to not having to outsource.

        Then I got a coach that kicked my butt and motivated me to make my own product.
        I made a plan what to outsource and at what cost and finally took action.

        Now I'm working on my first product, outsourced almost everything for less than $500.
        That is by far less than I spent the last 6 months for IM products that teached me what I already knew.

        I feel motivated as never before and finally have the feeling of getting somewhere and building a real business.

        As a total newbie it's good to start doing things yourself to learn how IM works, but if you realize you cannot stop buying IM stuff and you don't get things done, then outsource.

        It actually can save you loads of money and can be your first serious step towards building your own real internet business.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[230677].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author futurebells
    Great debate is going On..and i agree with you because if you dont have good writing skill, you can give direction to your writers...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[230634].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mohsin Rasool
    Ok do not outsource at the beginning but KEEP it mind you do not delay a lot..
    i mean do not outsource at the time when it is TOO LATE...

    When it is too late?
    It is when you get addicted to the little tiny tasks of IM, you start loving all those little tasks, you will never want to hand over to someone else...and
    it will surely slow your speed of getting things done.

    Also if someone new to IM do not have money to invest does not
    means that he or she cannot outsource/delegate the services he or
    she is not good at...

    there is another way to delegate the things which you are not good
    at...i.e. Trading services...

    Like I am technical guy, but i was never a writing guy...
    so I have always got my article written for secret Niches by professional
    authors in exchange of my services like Tweaking their website/blog/script..

    To take home lesson is.... we should not try to DO EVERYTHING ourselves
    and we should focus on our area of expertise and delegate/outsource the
    rest of the stuff to other pros...

    This will guarantee the quality and FAST results.

    Best Wishes,
    Mohsin Rasool
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[230642].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author lakshaybehl
    Learn just one skill well... Outsourcing, and combined with ideating you can make a killing.

    GOD>.. I wished I had outsourced as much as I do now when I got started....

    I'd have been a 6 figure monthly earner by now....

    Listen... If you do not have a product, startwith affiliate marketing and outsource the landing page text. If you can't write the articles well, for heavenc's sake let experts do it for your money. As long as ROI is good enough... They'd better eat a piece of off my earnings' cake and have all the headache...


    I can get started for less than 100 bux but I am not going to give away the secrets for free... lol

    -LAKSHAY

    P.S. I know one thing for sure...
    People who will do it all by themselves will never do anything at all
    ... These are the people who think they can do it all... I know because I was one of them.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[230696].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Eric Lorence
      You don't have to spend money to outsource, you can also trade a skill.

      Trade coding work for writing, trade web design for ad copy, trade directory submission for articles, ect...

      I found early on that the time involved in learning all aspects of IM and learning them well is beyond any amount of time you think you have.

      Two things that pay to really learn, and that will serve you well in this business:

      -Writing ad copy

      -Negotiating rates and prices

      Outsource the rest...

      Good luck!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[230709].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Nathan Hangen
      This is starting to get off track...

      Let me bring it back to my original point:
      In the beginning, if you outsource, you will lose money. When I first got started, I had no idea how IM worked, nor did I even know what to outsource if I would have. Now that I have done everything on my own at least once, I know what I am proficient at, what I should do on my own and what I should pass on. I also know how to evaluate work and the market I am working in.

      I didn't have tons of money to invest in outsourcing in the beginning, so doing the work on my own was necessary. However, even if you do have money in the beginning, chances are that you will not know what or how to outsource or even judge the products you receive from the people you hire to make them.

      If you know nothing about IM and you start outsourcing, you are prey to the scammers and bad business people that stalk this game. I am not talking about hiring someone to make a logo or two, I am talking about paying someone to write everything for you.

      So let me ask you something, you are an IM noob and you pay to have all this nice content made and you sit and watch the traffic. Whoops, you have no idea if anything you paid for is worth anything and you have no idea if the niche you chose is worth the money you spent. How would you know? That's my point.

      Spend time learning the basics, do a phase or two on your own until it becomes worthwhile to outsource due to productivity or monetary reasons.

      There is nothing wrong with outsourcing, there just happens to be a good time to start doing it.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[230710].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Kyle Tully
        Originally Posted by nhangen View Post

        In the beginning, if you outsource, you will lose money.
        That's a gross generalization and simply not true. I know plenty of marketers who outsourced right from the beginning of their "IM" careers and made money right from the start.

        You're looking at things through your own eyes and making assumptions based on your own experiences.

        Not everyone that comes to IM is clueless about business nor gets caught up in the nitty gritty details of all the latest IM tactics. If you understand some basics like products, prospects and partners then all the rest is just details... and you can always outsource details
        Signature
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[230720].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Nathan Hangen
          Originally Posted by Kyle Tully View Post

          That's a gross generalization and simply not true. I know plenty of marketers who outsourced right from the beginning of their "IM" careers and made money right from the start.

          You're looking at things through your own eyes and making assumptions based on your own experiences.

          Not everyone that comes to IM is clueless about business nor gets caught up in the nitty gritty details of all the latest IM tactics. If you understand some basics like products, prospects and partners then all the rest is just details... and you can always outsource details
          Just because you understand the physical business world, doesn't mean it translates over to the digital world. I am talking about niche marketing here and I wouldn't call knowing keyword tactics and niche strategies simply "details." Just paying someone to write you a bunch of articles to put on Ezine isn't going to cut it.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[230738].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Tim Franklin
    Not to take sides or opinions however,

    I can see a valid reasoning behind the idea that someone new to internet marketing or the internet for that matter may have a much more difficult time
    attempting to outsource successfully.

    One of the reasons that you see this outsource, advice given is that often those of us that have been doing this for over 10 years, tend to forget that there are people that are starting from ground zero.

    It is hard to comprehend that we often speak in another language which newer Internet users do not understand.

    We use terminology, like AJAX,
    (some will think you talking about a cleansing powder)

    Which as many will know is actually Asynchronous Javascript and XML

    Outsourcing is often a hit or miss type thing in the first place, after 10 years of experience in this area, I still sometimes loose money.

    I would find it a miracle if a user new to the internet could successfully outsource two projects, without the knowledge of experience.

    Experience and knowledge, are the two greatest stumbling blocks for the new Internet user.

    Just a few thoughts, on the other side of the coin, there is no reason to not try, you may loose money and I expect that is part of the learning experience.

    The only caveat is that most new users cannot afford to blindly outsource with the expectation of loosing money.
    Signature
    Bitcoin | Crypto | Blockchain Secrets |
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[230746].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author lakshaybehl
      Originally Posted by Tim Franklin View Post

      Not to take sides or opinions however,

      I can see a valid reasoning behind the idea that someone new to internet marketing or the internet for that matter may have a much more difficult time
      attempting to outsource successfully.

      One of the reasons that you see this outsource, advice given is that often those of us that have been doing this for over 10 years, tend to forget that there are people that are starting from ground zero.

      It is hard to comprehend that we often speak in another language which newer Internet users do not understand.

      We use terminology, like AJAX,
      (some will think you talking about a cleansing powder)

      Which as many will know is actually Asynchronous Javascript and XML

      Outsourcing is often a hit or miss type thing in the first place, after 10 years of experience in this area, I still sometimes loose money.

      I would find it a miracle if a user new to the internet could successfully outsource two projects, without the knowledge of experience.

      Experience and knowledge, are the two greatest stumbling blocks for the new Internet user.

      Just a few thoughts, on the other side of the coin, there is no reason to not try, you may loose money and I expect that is part of the learning experience.

      The only caveat is that most new users cannot afford to blindly outsource with the expectation of loosing money.
      Honestly, i still do not know what AJAX is.... But I know how to set this business up from ground zero..
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[230796].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author dbarnum
    Just basic math in business:

    To some people, spending under $10 for content is easier than spending the time to write it yourself.

    Similar:

    To others, it's worth $peanuts to have a site built for you than to learn code / scripts, etc. and do it yourself.

    This is where even a short business plan that's 2 sentences comes in handy.
    Signature




    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[230773].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ragnartm
    I don't see the problem with this. But I would rather give that piece of advice in a context like. If you can make more money in the time you use to write an article than you would have to spend to buy one, pay someone to write it for you.
    Signature

    Ragnar.

    Quality over quantity. Hire me to write highly shareable, user focused blog posts or articles.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[230788].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Preben Frenning
    Don't spend time outsourcing before you know what you are doing.
    - I totally agree with that one.

    But when you start to understand what to do, I think it will pay off.

    I don't like writing loads of articles, yet I have always wanted to learn it.
    But for my sake, I feel that I "use up my content", and I fear the quality and passion of my blog posts will be reduced.

    So I have started to outsource articlewriting for $5 a piece at need-an-article.com
    This is also useful for new niches you don't know that well.

    And being an internet marketer is also about motivation. Doing things you are bad at, as well as you hate doing not only gives bad results. - It saps your motivation as well.

    And remember that if you are a marketer, you are not an article writer, copywriter, webdesigner and graphic designer all at once. - You're just supposed to combine them to get results.

    And the idea of only putting together all of your idea's and outsourcing the work is what's appealing to me. That's my plan for the future when I can afford it.

    - Preben
    Signature

    Content overload? Too many tabs open? Then
    check out my awesome tech startup! - It will make your life easier.


    Twitter? - http://twitter.com/Preben_Frenning

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[230794].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author maya.m
    Well I agree with you partly- newbies do learn more by doing everything themselves and get to know IM business much deeper.

    On the other way I like to outsource myself-it saves me time. The most important for me is to not get overwhelmed. I love doing certain things in IM and are pleasurable for me, but not everything. I also like to spend time on my other hobbies.

    I think that newbie also has only little experience to evaluate which (outsource) service (or outsource company) offer really quality services (and don˙t just "rip them off").
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[230828].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kyle Tully
    Originally Posted by Craig Desorcy View Post

    the problem is, the people doing the
    work can't do the marketing research for you and build your stuff based
    on the research.
    Actually there are resources out there that will do complete market research reports for you
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[230847].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author seobro
    I believe most people should oursource things they cannot do. For example, many people do not know how to dig a well, so they get an expert to do it. That said, you should become an expert at doing the main parts of your business.

    My belief is that oursourcing has become like a big jock getting a little nerd to do his homework for him, so he can go out and party. In time he will learn the error of his ways.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[230900].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Preben Frenning
      Originally Posted by seobro View Post

      I believe most people should oursource things they cannot do. For example, many people do not know how to dig a well, so they get an expert to do it. That said, you should become an expert at doing the main parts of your business.

      My belief is that oursourcing has become like a big jock getting a little nerd to do his homework for him, so he can go out and party. In time he will learn the error of his ways.
      Good point.

      Outsourcing for my part, is something I should have started with WAY earlier instead of buying useless e-books etc.

      I have had A LOT of idea's. - A LOT. But I haven't gone trough with any of them because I wasn't any good at creating websites or graphics.

      I'm still no good at building websites, but there are many other ways to make money online - And I have learnt how to use wordpress.

      And I think it is really important to try doing things yourself, before you outsource it - So you know what you want.

      And in the end, It's about mastering something. That something is ideally something you enjoy doing yourself.
      If you do what you like, you will learn it,get better at it, and eventually turn into an expert. - Then you outsource the rest.

      - Preben
      Signature

      Content overload? Too many tabs open? Then
      check out my awesome tech startup! - It will make your life easier.


      Twitter? - http://twitter.com/Preben_Frenning

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[231084].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Leanne King
    I outsource the stuff that takes me too long to do or I am really hopeless at or just plain hate! I figured out a while ago that the time spent with me pulling my hair out in frustration with photoshop or something similar could be better served by doing what I liked. It makes me more productive.

    Leanne
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[230907].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author alien
    Banned
    [DELETED]
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[231096].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Ivan Correces
      Totally agree. I believe you must get your "hands dirty" before you start to outsource...If you don't know exactly what your freelancer is doing and how they do it, your setting yourself up for failure.

      However, If you're new and just starting out, I recommend assistance from some type of professional for various elements of your project...whether its a salescopy or graphic design. Fact is, if you do it yourself for the first time, your lack of experience will make your project look unprofessional, and ineffective.

      Originally Posted by alien View Post

      Personally, I recommend that people do their first project themselves (to learn what they need, cut costs etc) and then after that is profitable, start outsourcing out of the profits.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[231122].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Amy Bass
    I did not outsource at all for the first 4 months of Internet Marketing. I built up my income some, but not nearly as quickly as I did after I started paying for some help. In fact, this is the day I started outsourcing
    Got a Personal Assistant | | My Debt Free Goal
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[231151].message }}

Trending Topics