There are 2 “laws” which I like to keep in mind prior to outsourcing anything.
Before you begin
Before you start handing off a long string of tasks to a virtual assistant, make sure those tasks are worth doing! Start cleaning house immediately. Instead of having your assistant catalogue all of those emails from Staples and “Joke of the day”, unsubscribe from them. If that’s not an option, then automate the filing of such email using the rules in your email program. If you don’t, all you are doing is throwing away time and money that could be applied elsewhere
Getting started
You need a well defined goal. State exactly what the successful outcome of the project looks like. It is not enough to say:
“I want a website for my company”.
Rather, you need to state:
“I require a blog based website for my company that allows visitors to sign up for our newsletter and Contact us through the website”.
The above conveys to a potential outsourcee that you require:
1) A blog
2) A newsletter signup form
3) A Contact us form
Remember: You will get exactly what you asked for. Start with small manageable tasks to begin with. This will enable you to figure out the nuances in communicating with individuals who are likely overseas. It also provides you a testing ground for Parkinson’s law and a better understanding of the detail required when you have larger projects which you want to outsource.
A few ideas for first timers:
1) Transcription from audio to text.
2) Summarizing a 10 page white paper to its core points.
3) Finding a list of websites related to a specific product.
4) Research a specific product / service / individual.
5) Creating a blog post on subject X.
6) Setting up e-cards for client’s birthdays.
The opportunities are endless. Avoid asking for more than 1 page worth of output , or comparable deliverable. Jumping into the deep end is generally only wise if you already know how to swim.
Don’t forget, you are the boss.
You are outsourcing for the explicit purpose of freeing up your time and your mind. If you have made every effort to develop your communication skills and you just don’t seem to be getting through, then move on. There is no requirement that you stick with the first assistant/resource you come across. I went through 9 or so assistants before I finally found my superstar assistant, Ravi. If you are as particular about the type and quality of help as I am, then it’s going to take some time and experimentation before you get the right fit.
Sites and Resources I have found helpful:
Learning the ropes by outsourcing one task at a time:
www.elance.com
www.oDesk.com
Getting started with a part/full time personal assistant:
www.getFriday.com
www.askSunday.com
Technical / Specialists:
www.ajonesco.com (yes, a shameless plug)
www.guru.com
www.rentacoder.com
www.getacoder.com
www.topcoder.com
Graphic/Design work:
www.99designs.com
www.elance.com
Outsourcing with a conscience:
www.samasource.org
www.crowdflower.com
Remote computer control:
Free: www.logMeIn.com
Paid: www.GoToMyPc.com
Internet based calling:
Free/Low rates: www.skype.com
Web meetings/ Screen sharing:
www.dimdim.com (make it easy to get your point across)
Create your own social network:
www.ning.com (A great way to share things with your team)
The book that got me started:
(see the side bar to purchase)
“The 4-Hour Workweek” by Timothy Ferris. www.fourhourworkweek.com
I hope you have found this informational. Please feel free to sign up for the step by step guide noted at the top of the page. I will be taking questions until the end of January and will send out the compiled questions, additional listings of useful sites/tools and the step by step guide towards the end of February (2010).