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- May 23, 2011
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Here on the forum there are often questions about outsourcing,
and various good and not so good experiences.
If you need some work outsourced, and you're not sure how
to go about it, I'm here to help.
I'm experienced both at outsourcing and working as a web-developer,
so my knowledge can help you in many ways, some of which are...
HAVE PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS THAT ATTRACT QUALITY WORKERS:
If your project description is too vague, it may turn away
many quality workers.
If it's obvious that it's written by a non-tech person,
it may entice less ethical workers to overcharge you and underdeliver,
while throwing a bunch of "tech-talk" at you.
I can help you in writing project descriptions that perfectly
communicate what you want in just the right tone.
HAVE PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS THAT ASSURE YOU GET EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT:
Sometimes, employers mistakenly think that worker will put as much
thought, care and imagination into the project as if he was a partner.
While this may happen sometimes, you shouldn't count on it.
For the most part, workers are there to do their work.
Having clear specifications benefits you on multiple levels:
Faster turnaround: Workers are able to focus on work, rather than figuring out the requirements.
Getting exactly what you want: The more specific are your requirements, the less room there is for
misunderstandings and loose interpretations. And even if there was a dispute, you'll have facts on your side,
a clear list of requirements that need to be done.
Better price (not necessarily lower): Estimating project cost is inherently difficult (except for really simple projects). By having a precise list of requirements you allow workers to more realistically determine the price.
If your specification is too vague, they are likely to
a) overestimate, making you pay more than you need
b) underestimate, and then become frustrated by working more than they feel is fair, which increases the chance of them producing lower quality results just to get over with it
I can help translate your desires into specific technical requirements.
For example, if you need a logo, we don't just need the logo.
We need it delivered in particular vector formats, so you can use it anywhere
without quality loss (from business cards, to screens, to billboards).
We also need info on any font used, as you might want to re-use that font some time in the future.
CHOOSING BETTER WORKERS:
Often, even the not so good workers will have high overall rating.
Reasons are many, from people not wanting to give someone a bad rep,
to people unaware that the quality of work was low.
Sometimes, it's even not a freelancer, but a "sweatshop", where the
sheer volume of jobs they take makes the bad reviews less visible.
So it takes some experience to learn to recognize workers who do
quality work but also are responsive and won't flake.
HELP IN MANAGING THE PROJECT AND SEEING IT THROUGH TO COMPLETION:
Splitting project to milestones, so that you don't pay them upfront,
but only for the work completed.
Resolving any obstacles, and keeping the project going until it's completed.
QUALITY ASSURANCE:
Are you getting quality code and design?
Is your website/app mobile friendly?
Does it work properly in all browsers?
Reviewing/testing the work freelancers send you.
Of course, I don't know all the programming languages,
and can't make sure everything is perfect either,
but will do all I can to make sure you're getting quality work.
WEB DEVELOPER BY YOUR SIDE:
Sometimes freelancers do flake, or become slow in response just when you need them.
And sometimes this happens just when you need something done asap.
For such situations it might be useful that I'm a web developer myself,
and might be able to do what you need done.
GET BOTH RESULTS AND THE KNOW-HOW:
I don't hold back my know-how from you.
I'll explain you the reasons and thinking behind everything we do
and answer all of your questions.
From my experience, sooner or later you'll feel you can do the outsourcing yourself,
and just contact me when you're really stuck - which is totally cool.
And I'll actually be very happy if you learn something from me,
and avoid costly mistakes I already made.
KEEP CONTROL OF EVERYTHING:
All the outsourcing is done through your accounts.
I'm just assisting you and helping you make decisions.
You stay in full control of everything and have full insight into everything.
USE AS MUCH OR AS LITTLE HELP AS YOU NEED:
One of the benefits of outsourcing
(but certainly not the only one) is saving money.
And I sure wouldn't want the cost of consulting to cancel out
that benefit for you.
So use as much or as little of my help as you need.
DISCLAIMER:
While my experience can sure be helpful in the outsourcing process,
I cannot guarantee every freelancer we pick will be great, or that their results
will be great, or that everything will go super-smoothly.
---
All questions welcome.
and various good and not so good experiences.
If you need some work outsourced, and you're not sure how
to go about it, I'm here to help.
I'm experienced both at outsourcing and working as a web-developer,
so my knowledge can help you in many ways, some of which are...
HAVE PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS THAT ATTRACT QUALITY WORKERS:
If your project description is too vague, it may turn away
many quality workers.
If it's obvious that it's written by a non-tech person,
it may entice less ethical workers to overcharge you and underdeliver,
while throwing a bunch of "tech-talk" at you.
I can help you in writing project descriptions that perfectly
communicate what you want in just the right tone.
HAVE PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS THAT ASSURE YOU GET EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT:
Sometimes, employers mistakenly think that worker will put as much
thought, care and imagination into the project as if he was a partner.
While this may happen sometimes, you shouldn't count on it.
For the most part, workers are there to do their work.
Having clear specifications benefits you on multiple levels:
Faster turnaround: Workers are able to focus on work, rather than figuring out the requirements.
Getting exactly what you want: The more specific are your requirements, the less room there is for
misunderstandings and loose interpretations. And even if there was a dispute, you'll have facts on your side,
a clear list of requirements that need to be done.
Better price (not necessarily lower): Estimating project cost is inherently difficult (except for really simple projects). By having a precise list of requirements you allow workers to more realistically determine the price.
If your specification is too vague, they are likely to
a) overestimate, making you pay more than you need
b) underestimate, and then become frustrated by working more than they feel is fair, which increases the chance of them producing lower quality results just to get over with it
I can help translate your desires into specific technical requirements.
For example, if you need a logo, we don't just need the logo.
We need it delivered in particular vector formats, so you can use it anywhere
without quality loss (from business cards, to screens, to billboards).
We also need info on any font used, as you might want to re-use that font some time in the future.
CHOOSING BETTER WORKERS:
Often, even the not so good workers will have high overall rating.
Reasons are many, from people not wanting to give someone a bad rep,
to people unaware that the quality of work was low.
Sometimes, it's even not a freelancer, but a "sweatshop", where the
sheer volume of jobs they take makes the bad reviews less visible.
So it takes some experience to learn to recognize workers who do
quality work but also are responsive and won't flake.
HELP IN MANAGING THE PROJECT AND SEEING IT THROUGH TO COMPLETION:
Splitting project to milestones, so that you don't pay them upfront,
but only for the work completed.
Resolving any obstacles, and keeping the project going until it's completed.
QUALITY ASSURANCE:
Are you getting quality code and design?
Is your website/app mobile friendly?
Does it work properly in all browsers?
Reviewing/testing the work freelancers send you.
Of course, I don't know all the programming languages,
and can't make sure everything is perfect either,
but will do all I can to make sure you're getting quality work.
WEB DEVELOPER BY YOUR SIDE:
Sometimes freelancers do flake, or become slow in response just when you need them.
And sometimes this happens just when you need something done asap.
For such situations it might be useful that I'm a web developer myself,
and might be able to do what you need done.
GET BOTH RESULTS AND THE KNOW-HOW:
I don't hold back my know-how from you.
I'll explain you the reasons and thinking behind everything we do
and answer all of your questions.
From my experience, sooner or later you'll feel you can do the outsourcing yourself,
and just contact me when you're really stuck - which is totally cool.
And I'll actually be very happy if you learn something from me,
and avoid costly mistakes I already made.
KEEP CONTROL OF EVERYTHING:
All the outsourcing is done through your accounts.
I'm just assisting you and helping you make decisions.
You stay in full control of everything and have full insight into everything.
USE AS MUCH OR AS LITTLE HELP AS YOU NEED:
One of the benefits of outsourcing
(but certainly not the only one) is saving money.
And I sure wouldn't want the cost of consulting to cancel out
that benefit for you.
So use as much or as little of my help as you need.
DISCLAIMER:
While my experience can sure be helpful in the outsourcing process,
I cannot guarantee every freelancer we pick will be great, or that their results
will be great, or that everything will go super-smoothly.
---
All questions welcome.
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