Outsourcing
Dropbox, The Ultimate Tool For Outsourced Content Delivery
Jan 24th
I have been employing at least 1 full time content writer for over 8 months now, and during that time I have tweaked the system I use to recieve work from my writer(s). Probably one of the coolest tools that I have found in relation to this, is dropbox.
Dropbox is a desktop application that integrates right into your directory layout.
Once you have installed this cool little application, you basically just create an account, which then allows you to share your files within your dropbox, with other users around the globe, by simply inviting them and granting them access to certain folders.
This is so handy for getting content delivered. You can grant your content writers access to a certain folder within your dropbox (you might call it something like Employees – Writers), and then once they have completed the articles you need, they can simply drop them into that folder on their own desktop, and within seconds they will be there on your desktop too!
Pretty neat hey?!
This is just one of the very handy free tools that I use to make my outsourcing more efficient. I will be discussing some more of the great free tools you can use to grow your business with outsourcing shortly, so keep an eye out 
Peace and Prosperity,
Nick
Efficient Outsourcing – How To Filter Time Wasters
Jan 11th
As you may know, freelancer.com and other sites such as vworker can be a great way to find, and bring quality talent into your business team. You also may know, if you have used these sites to look for quality freelance workers and/or employees in the past, that it can be challenging to say the least.
Here are some tips, and also a template that I recommend using, in order to get a great response from the best candidates.
1. Be crystal – Obviously being very direct about what you want is extremely important in getting the results you are after, common sense right? You really want to be as clear and consise as possible when it comes to your description at freelancer.com.
2. Make it obvious that you know exactly what you want, and WILL NOT tolerate time wasters, or candidates that don’t follow instructions. If a potential candidate does not follow your instructions from the get go (the bidding process) then obviously it’s not a good start. This is the best way to weed out the time wasters, and if you set it up the way I show you in the below template, you can instantly know which bidders are serious, and competent, without having to do any guess work.
3. Use mini steps – related to point #2. By asking the potential candidate to complete minor steps, even just at the job bidding and PM stage, you can pretty much instantly know whether they are competent and good people to work with or not.
4. Don’t hold back, it’s not racist – If the particular project you are wanting help with requires a lot of communication of technical ideas, then quite likely you are going to want someone who speaks your language proficiently. There is no harm in posting this clearly at the very top of your job description. Simply use the “PLEASE NOTE FIRST!! section to clarify that you are only interested in “fluent speakers of English” or another language if relevant.
5. Give them a “secret phrase” in the job description, that must be used in the PM. In the template below this is “change here”. This allows you to instantly know whether they have paid attention, and read your entire job description at a glance. BIG time saver!
6. Don’t be an Asshole! – Sometimes this can be tough but nonetheless. I have experienced certain situations where a freelancer simply was not understanding what I was instructing for them to do, and it FELT AND SEEMED like they were just not paying attention. Even if this does happen, you are always better to gage yourself, and keep a polite and friendly interaction with the employee. Critisizing or blaming will get you absolutely no where, make them feel bad, and waste more of your time than has been wasted already.
Here is the template that I myself use, you can copy and paste it into a text file, or just take the basic idea and make your own mods:
(obviously, you will insert your actual job description, after “Hi and Thanks for visiting.”)
++++++++++++++++++++
PLEASE NOTE FIRST!!!
++++++++++++++++++++High quality worker filter requirement.
Please do not bid if you ” ”
++++++++++++++++++++
PLEASE NOTE FIRST!!!
++++++++++++++++++++Hi and Thanks for visiting.
Please type this in your private message to me… “change here” so I know you read and understand the requirements.
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you
Nick
++++++++++++++++++++
PLEASE NOTE FIRST!!!
++++++++++++++++++++
PLEASE NOTE FIRST!!!
++++++++++++++++++++
