Outsourcing through oDesk

17 replies
Hello

I would like to outsource through oDesk but this is my first time. Would like

1. What do you think about the outsourcers from Bangladesh? Is it better than Phillipines outsourcers?

2. For people in Bangladesh and Phillipines, which one will find that $250/months is a lot of money?

3. When outsourcing through oDesk, should we go for individuals contractors or agencies contractors?

4. Once we are satisfied with the jobs done by certain person/people, is there anyway we can deal outside oDesk? Or are we bonded with contract with oDesk to continue using their service.

5. When we have hired any contractor, when will we pay them? Every week, every month or everyday?

Hope to get some thoughts from anyone expert / experienced.

Thanks guys.

Supermarketer
#odesk #outsourcing
  • Profile picture of the author James Foster
    OK, you're asking a lot of questions at once, but haven't given us much information to help you out...

    You seam to be really wrapped up in where they come from, where as I almost never care what country the person is in. I look at the number of hours they've worked on Odesk and their quality score. Those two things should tell you basically everything you need to know about the person.

    As for freelance or agency is completely up to you (and generally what you want done). If you're hiring someone to do SEO or be a VA you might want to consider an agency so if you're person gets sick they have someone to fill in for them.

    But if you're hiring an article writer, I;d go freelance because I want to know the quality of the person writing, and if they give 1 article to 10 different people, I'm going to get 10 different quality levels that may or may not be acceptable.

    Most this is all self explanatory once you get into Odesk. So I'd recommend just jumping in and getting your feet wet.

    Spend a few bucks and see what you get.
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    • Profile picture of the author SuperMarketer
      Originally Posted by James Foster View Post

      OK, you're asking a lot of questions at once, but haven't given us much information to help you out...

      You seam to be really wrapped up in where they come from, where as I almost never care what country the person is in. I look at the number of hours they've worked on Odesk and their quality score. Those two things should tell you basically everything you need to know about the person.

      As for freelance or agency is completely up to you (and generally what you want done). If you're hiring someone to do SEO or be a VA you might want to consider an agency so if you're person gets sick they have someone to fill in for them.

      But if you're hiring an article writer, I;d go freelance because I want to know the quality of the person writing, and if they give 1 article to 10 different people, I'm going to get 10 different quality levels that may or may not be acceptable.

      Most this is all self explanatory once you get into Odesk. So I'd recommend just jumping in and getting your feet wet.

      Spend a few bucks and see what you get.
      Thanks James for your helpful info. I just registered yesterday and would like to get my feet wet but want to have some recommendation from anybody more experienced

      Normally if the worker is sick, do we still need to pay them (if we hire them long term) ?

      I am thinking of hiring a full time VA through oDesk. But 10% will be given to oDesk, maybe better if can deal directly after 2-3 months?
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  • Profile picture of the author David A Griffiths
    I don't use VA's myself, but I have read in a number of places that good ones can be had for $200 per month so hopefully you can find someone for less than you thought.
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    • Profile picture of the author SuperMarketer
      Originally Posted by David A Griffiths View Post

      I don't use VA's myself, but I have read in a number of places that good ones can be had for $200 per month so hopefully you can find someone for less than you thought.
      I actually found some outsourcers from Bangladesh that can be hired for around $250/m but I am afraid if $250/m is too little for them?

      That's why I want to compare with Philippines outsourcers. Because I heard that in Phillipines, $250m/m is a lot of money where they can support 4-5 family members with that kind of income
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  • Profile picture of the author abegailMelissa
    1. Philippines is better.

    2. Philippines.

    3. Individual is better.

    4. It depends if the contractor and employer are on the same page.

    5. If it's fixed-price, when the contract is finished. If it's hourly, it will automatically deduct on the day you specify.
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  • Profile picture of the author jleavitt13
    I have spent a lot of time on oDesk. I have hired a few VA's here and there. $250 is a great starting point. That price will work no matter which country you are in, but it will get your a bit further in the Philippines than other countries. A simple rule of thumb is you get what you pay for. Check exchange rates too, just do a quick search on Google.

    You can setup payment schedules however you want. I normally do it monthly as I have my VA's on an extensive monthly checklist.

    I would not leave oDesk. Though the 10% adds up, besides just finding the VA, there are many many benefits to oDesk. The hourly tracking, the communication options, and most importantly it protects both parties. This is a big deal for working with somebody in a different country who you have never ment, you want to be protected financially.
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    • Profile picture of the author SuperMarketer
      Originally Posted by abegailMelissa View Post

      1. Philippines is better.

      2. Philippines.

      3. Individual is better.

      4. It depends if the contractor and employer are on the same page.

      5. If it's fixed-price, when the contract is finished. If it's hourly, it will automatically deduct on the day you specify.
      Originally Posted by jleavitt13 View Post

      I have spent a lot of time on oDesk. I have hired a few VA's here and there. $250 is a great starting point. That price will work no matter which country you are in, but it will get your a bit further in the Philippines than other countries. A simple rule of thumb is you get what you pay for. Check exchange rates too, just do a quick search on Google.

      You can setup payment schedules however you want. I normally do it monthly as I have my VA's on an extensive monthly checklist.

      I would not leave oDesk. Though the 10% adds up, besides just finding the VA, there are many many benefits to oDesk. The hourly tracking, the communication options, and most importantly it protects both parties. This is a big deal for working with somebody in a different country who you have never ment, you want to be protected financially.
      Thanks for your inputs. I also heard that Phillipines outsourcers are better. But i found that most of them occupied with jobs in progress

      I would like to hire them and say if I want to give some reports/blueprints from the WSO's to them to make money for me, can they be trusted and wont 'steal' the business and work on their own? I heard that Phillipines outsourcers are loyal and not business minded. But not sure about Bangladesh people
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    • Profile picture of the author francischan35
      I don't have any idea between Bangladesh and Philippines but what I've heard in terms of communication skills, online marketing and writings, Philippines is better. In English language, I've heard Philippines is on top of the list in Asia.
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      • Profile picture of the author jleavitt13
        Originally Posted by francischan35 View Post

        I don't have any idea between Bangladesh and Philippines but what I've heard in terms of communication skills, online marketing and writings, Philippines is better. In English language, I've heard Philippines is on top of the list in Asia.

        I would second that, almost everyone on odesk can speak english, but most workers from the Philippines have very good english skills, which for a long time working relationship can be a HUGE BENEFIT.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nathy Curiel
    I work with outsourcing at Odesk for a small year now.

    I can tell from personal experience that people from Philippines are harder worker and more loyal. I have agencies but I prefer personal contact ,so that i can build a relationship
    with them.

    People out of the philippines may bit more experience, but in long run they are better for your business.

    I have one VA and a lot of people on contract for small tasks ( one time payment). this way I don't have search for people when I need it. I put them in different team..

    Odesk is perfect for build a business !
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    • Profile picture of the author sidcandid
      Hi Nathy,
      You had offered me help on one of my forum posts and said that you needed an article writer and to contact you on Odesk. I could not find you on Odesk so could not contact you. Can you PM me your email so that we can talk on this. I can't PM as have less pots. Thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nathy Curiel
    " I would like to hire them and say if I want to give some reports/blueprints from the WSO's to them to make money for me, can they be trusted and wont 'steal' the business and work on their own? "

    Haha that is what I do ..I use mostly video course. And no they do steal your idea's
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    • Profile picture of the author SuperMarketer
      Originally Posted by Nathy Curiel View Post

      " I would like to hire them and say if I want to give some reports/blueprints from the WSO's to them to make money for me, can they be trusted and wont 'steal' the business and work on their own? "

      Haha that is what I do ..I use mostly video course. And no they do steal your idea's
      They do steal your idea's? there is no way to avoid that right
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      • Profile picture of the author jleavitt13
        You can make a strong effort to put systems in place to prevent it, but over all I just dont think it is worth the effort. I have an initial agreement that I send to them explaining that they can not share any of the info I provide to them (really basic and to the point), and I make sure they say they agree to it. But after that what happens happens.
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        • Profile picture of the author SuperMarketer
          Originally Posted by jleavitt13 View Post

          You can make a strong effort to put systems in place to prevent it, but over all I just dont think it is worth the effort. I have an initial agreement that I send to them explaining that they can not share any of the info I provide to them (really basic and to the point), and I make sure they say they agree to it. But after that what happens happens.
          Actually i dont really care if they steal the business because there is no saturation in online business, as long as they don't 'steal' our money or hack our domains, etc.

          But the main problem with outsourcers that 'steal' your business is, we need to 'waste' our time again to find a new person to 'replace' them after they quit.
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  • Profile picture of the author WebPen
    You can't really judge based on the country.

    I used to think you could- because I'd heard that the Philipines are SO much better, blah blah blah....

    But my lightning-fast, very intelligent VA is in Bangladesh.

    In other words, don't get too caught up in just one thing- interview a number of VAs!

    Some will rock your socks off.
    Some will get less done than a 9 year old.

    Good luck!
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    • Profile picture of the author SuperMarketer
      Originally Posted by Justin Stowe View Post

      You can't really judge based on the country.

      I used to think you could- because I'd heard that the Philipines are SO much better, blah blah blah....

      But my lightning-fast, very intelligent VA is in Bangladesh.

      In other words, don't get too caught up in just one thing- interview a number of VAs!

      Some will rock your socks off.
      Some will get less done than a 9 year old.

      Good luck!
      So basically we just need to see their 'stars' ? Is 4 and above sufficient? Or need to be more, say 4.5 and above?
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