Im Just starting to hire outsourcers . any tips, info , resources you would care to share ?

I can't post links yet but here is a good article that contains a survey on most of the major outsource companies:


fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/12/06/the-personal-outsourcing-olympics-bangalore-butler-or-american-assistant/

Clear, concise instructions for your employees. Ensure that their English language, grammar and syntax is excellent and that they are able to do whatever work you require without constant contact.

odesk is useful, and usually quite cheap to hire from.

Oh this is great, I was just looking for outsourcers too. Thanks for sharing

Hi,

We are a staff leasing company based here in Manila, Philippines. We provide experienced and reliable staff at affordable prices. I would to have a detailed discussion with you.

Go here ==> http://www.warriorforum.com/main-internet-marketing-discussion-forum/122518-all-one-outsourcing-secrets.html :-)

onlinejobs.ph

100% recommended. Find talented designers, writers, etc. Post a job and get 5-10 responses in 24 hours.

Skype me, I am about 3 weeks into my outsourcing, may be able to give some insight, williamsbros on skype.

Yes.. never give away EXACTLY what u're doing to them! they will as well start off with their own side business.. For example if theyre writing articles for you, dont let them know where these articles will go!

Mark, Skype: "cheyenne villanueva"

She is a previous employee of mine. $300/mo and works about 60+ hours per week. I let her go only because I took a direction that required better writing talent.

She is a rare breed, (her skype motto is 'work work work'.) Just can't write eloquent articles, but as far as tedious, repetitive tasks, she's A+

She used to do 150 manual forum posts / backlink placements per day. She's a machine.

She also has some family members that can do work as well... and I already paid for the installation of high speed internet into her house, so you've got quite a setup if you want it.

I feel bad because she hasn't had work yet, and I keep in touch with her. I was going to run a WSO Saturday for her. You should jump on this.

You'll have to work it out with her: chyneclicks@gmail.com

She lives in the Philippines.

Heads Up: Long Post

I reckon you already have a list of countries to outsource jobs requiring a particular set of skills.

Let me share my own list.


When my target market consists of native English speakers, my experience and test results tell me to outsource copywriting and graphics design stuff to these areas (in order of priority based on output effectiveness for end results, costs, and turnaround time):

1) North America
2)Eastern and Central Europe
3) Australia.


My programming stuff goes to these places (also in order of priority):

1) Eastern and Central Europe
2) India
3) Western Europe
4) North America


For my content writing, email/phone customer support (for phone customer support and telemarketing, I always require onsite presence and provide onsite ofice facilities, unlike other tasks which I can allow them virtual office presence and provide virtual office facilities after they've spent 6-12 months working at an onsite location), "not-by-the-volume" backlink building and direct online marketing stuff, I go to (also in order of priority):

1) Manila
2) other big cities in the Philippines
3) North America
4) Australia
5) Central Europe


For my data entry, "technical marketing" research and account creation stuff, I go to (also in order of priority):

1) India
2) Western Europe


Why?

Yes, there are obviously highly skilled people in other areas with loads of knowledge and experience in particular tasks mentioned above, but:

---> in my experience, it's like "finding jewels in the rough"...

...which doesn't make sense, at least for me, because:

---> I'd rather spend my time growing my business than "finding jewels in the rough" since:

---> probabilities based on stats will always lead me to this inference ===

=== "finding jewels in the rough" would mean spending more time and other resources than:

=== "finding jewels among jewels" and "rough rocks in the rough".

Yes, I value "rough rocks" as much as "jewels" because:

=== "rough rocks", just like "jewels", choose to do what they do and be the "best" at what they do, which is, in itself, a huge decision to make and a valuable responsibility to take.

I (speaking for myself) think this makes more sense:

...just like marketing, I'd go to places where my target market hangs out, so now ===

=== I wouldn't go to the "rough" when what I want to find are "jewels", unless I'm in an adventure expedition of sorts


Why do I outsource my graphics design and copywriting tasks to the areas above?

Copywriting and graphics design work done by persons with expertise in copywriting, visual communications, advertising and marketing most suitable for their home countries (also my target areas) ===

=== effective advertising, marketing and visual communications, resulting to the "best" bottomline results.


Why do I outsource my programming tasks to the areas above?

My test results tell me I'd spend the least time looking for "jewels" in these places who can provide the "best" bottomline results.


Why do I outsource my content writing, "not-by-volume" backlink building, direct online marketing and phone/email customer support tasks as well as data entry work among others to the areas above?

My test results tell me I'd spend the least time and money looking for "jewels" in these places who can provide the "best" bottomline results.


Bottomline

=== I (talking for myself) won't spend my time and money looking for "jewels in the rough" and "rough rocks" among "jewels" (I'd just spend little time finding "jewels" among "jewels" and "rough rocks" among the "rough" then make sure they're "happy" working with me since what they do for me makes me "happy", too).


Tips

My experience and the test results I get always lead me to these "theories":

1) I create a key results index based on my business and marketing plans (with growth and expansion attachments).

2) I then create a key competencies index based on my key results index.

3) I identify areas requiring the least possible financial and non-financial resources to hire and work with the right people (non-financial resources = my existing network, demographic advantages, expertise, etc.).

4) If my business and marketing plans, especially its growth and expansion attachments, require me to hire a lot of people in each country, then I register a small startup business in the country, or a small business partnership with locals I know. Otherwise, I talk to a local I know and finalize a hiring action plan.

IMO: Locals won't initially trust someone in the other corner of the world without business presence in their countries. I try to remember this:

employees choose to be employees = they choose to be employees, making them investors in their own right, which with due respect is a huge decision and responsibility to take, and because they chose to invest their goals, financial stability and personal growth plans in someone running a business or company or corporation, employees require the other party to do what they're supposed to do right from the start ===

=== prove they're worth the huge investment and carry out with results they expect from their investment.

4) I create simple and comprehensible job ads based on my key competencies index and what I learn from number 3.

5) I study credentials outlined by CVs then compare it against my key competencies and results indexes.

6) I create an initial test which will define their (1) fundamental data comprehension, (2) logical data analysis and (3) creative angling skills.

7) I classify initial test takers into 5 categories = senior A, senior B, junior A, junior B, and "for reapplication after 5 months".

8) I interview each initial test passer and talk about tasks they'll be doing once they pass the final test (I do this so I'd know those who took time to research, learn and "practice" stuff we talked about in the interview because their final test results will show this).

9) I create a final test which includes the exact set of tasks they'll be doing once hired.

10) I reclassify final test passers by categories mentioned above.

11) I use my key competencies and results indexes to monitor their daily/weekly/monthly performance to optimize character/mindset formation, competitiveness improvement, motivational, training, reward, challenge, common company and personal goal developmental growth systems I provide.


...but then again: this is just what I do and won't necessarily produce the "best" results for everyone.

In my experience, it may take you a lot of trial and error, before you find that one in 10 VA that will really stick with you for a long period of time, communicate with you quickly and as much as you need, and do the jobs just as you need them. Have patience, and you can find a good one.

If using a website like rentacoder.com or elance.com, ect. Don't just list a project. Research providers before you post, read their past reviews, and invite the ones that have a good past record to bid on your project. Not a foolproof method but you will get at least 1 or 2 A list players to bid on your project instead of just posting and hoping the right ones find it. I haven't done a whole lot of outsourcing but each time I followed this advice I got back good results. The times I didn't I got back poor results.

Also type out step by step instructions on what you want done to give to the one you choose especially for the more technical jobs.

I would say start with odesk.

1. Never pay more than 10% in advance. (don't even pay that if the feedback is low)
2. Use the first few tasks to measure the turnaround time. Time is more important than quality.
3. Measure the quality of work.
4. Give clear IF...THEN logical instructions on what should be done. Better if you can give some examples.
5. Some outsources will use the content generated for you, for their other projects. (no matter how many agreements you have) So don't give out projects, unless you're going to use that content in recent future.
6. Give clear, simple instructions
7. Give clear, simple instructions
8. Give clear, simple instructions
9. When you find really good talent, pay 5% extra to keep them.
10. Give them a ton-of work to do. Not to exhaust them, but to keep them busy, so they don't have time to look elsewhere to work.

Hi guys

i would always go to a big company for the outsourcing like odesk.com and then make sure you show your staff everything. Because even though you may want to pay them 2 dollars an hour you need to show them all the work that needs doing and dont take for granted that they know something.

Always open a job for 5 days too as the best outsourcers tend to check for jobs twice a week.

Also dont be put off if you get a bad one - just move on to the next and avoid agencies that advertise through the likes of odesk.com as you are often working via a third party and it will drive you nuts.

kind regards


sam
X

Or you could always try a fellow warrior, who speaks native English and is able to follow instructions immediately. I do charge more than $2 an hour though!

Hi Mark,

freelancer.com is one of the best in the world and they just acquired another freelancing company. depending on what kind of work you want to outsource you will find a very active and for the most part professional community put your ad for 3 days and see the bids that comes in it is awesome
-WD

I'm writing this assuming you're talking about hiring international freelancers. With that...

1) Excellent ratings doesn't guarantee they'll be good for you

2) Beware the lower prices and if you don't have much money, lower the difficult of the tasks.

3) Communicate a lot. Don't assume the person working on your thing speaks fluent English.

4) You might not need the best artists, so you can save your money if the task is easy.

5) Do as much yourself as you can. (at least that's what I think)

Hope that helps!

odesk is a great place to hire or go to getafreelancer, guru.com or hire someone from manila. There are a lot of good content writer there and they are willing to work long hours if you require it.

Check my Hubpage

Top 5 Freelance Sites to Outsource your Tasks or Services

And also this one
http://outsourcearticles.yolasite.com/

Cheers