As a small business owner you can outsource the tasks that you are not good at, so that you can focus on growing your business. You don’t need a huge budget in order to outsource. In fact, you can hire freelancers for small things, and then work your way up as your business grows.
But you could, however, feel that there is too much risk involved. How do you ensure that a person you have never met face-to-face is the perfect person to do the job? There are a few things to keep in mind.
1. Be very clear with your instructions
Whenever you give instructions to people, be as clear as possible. Many people overlook this. But if you are paying by the hour, you want to save money by avoiding any confusion or uncertainty.
When you advertise your requirements, do it in a clear Step by Step format. Beside avoiding confusion, you will be able to identify any potential bottleneck in the system.
You should also be clear on important items like deadlines, payment terms and any other expectations.
2. Check the credibility of your potential candidate
You want to work with a professional who provides quality work. Some ways to check the candidate are what they say they are:
- Have a look at the candidate’s portfolio. Ask for examples of similar work done before. Make sure that the candidate has worked on something similar before.
- Contact the references given, or check for online references.
- Google the person’s name, website name, and e-mail addresses. You want someone with an established history.
3. Work according to milestones
If you need to outsource a big project, pay according to specific deliverables. This protects you. The worker is also protected if you provide an upfront deposit.
4. Expect short daily updates
Have the freelancer give you a short summary on:
- What they did and the results they got
- Any problems or challenges they faced
- Any questions they might have
This way you keep on top of things. Someone may forget to send you the summary. It reflects on their calibre. But for those that do remember, you can see how they are doing and fix any issues before they escalate.
5. Give regular feedback
Whether the work is done well or is subpar, give feedback. Let people know exactly what they are doing right or wrong. Focus on the positive, and build a strong relationship with your worker.
6. Never hire someone full time immediately
Start by hiring a candidate for a small project. You can then ask for more complicated work if you are satisfied. Be sure that the candidate communicates well with you and that you feel comfortable with him/her.
It is actually very easy to ease the burden of your day-to-day tasks with a little planning and foresight. You also have the opportunity to finish essential projects you simply don’t have time for. If you would like to find out how Virtual Productivity Solutions can help you in this regard, visit our website.