Outsourcing Tycoon

**skady** · 03-29-2011, 08:28 PM

I run a web design business and basically outsource a lot of the design and development work. It works out really well and gives me more time to seek out more clients.

The key to finding success with outsourcing and hiring staff from Freelancer.com is to make sure you are very clear and specific with your project descriptions. List out exactly what you need done and leave very little for interpretation.

After you post your project you will receive bids from freelancers looking to complete your project. Make sure you go through them and "interview
them to find the right person for the job. Look at their reviews, reputation and previous work.

Once you have selected a suitable freelancer make sure you deposit funds as a milestone payment to ensure the project goes smoothly without and hassles.

Communicate with the freelancer regularly and make sure they understand what needs done. Once they have completed the work ensure everything is working fine and then release the milestone and give them feedback.

I think the process works great and is a very smart way to run a business. Outsourcing allows me to keep my business lean and allows me to cut costs.

What have you guys outsourced in the past and what was your experience?

**acca** · 04-04-2011, 08:59 AM

Nice tips. I have expirience only as an freelancer, on Freelancer.com so far, but I'm in the phase where I already see I will need help from other freelancers in near future.

**EaaTan** · 05-06-2011, 12:32 AM

I run my business by outsourcing too.
But I've many bad experiences dealing with Freelancers that I should not be working with in the first place.

Just a question, have you worked with a Freelancer longer than 3 months?

Because I've not come across a Freelancer that I would like to work with for the long term

**Shey** · 05-06-2011, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EaaTan

Just a question, have you worked with a Freelancer longer than 3 months?

Yes we have freelancers working for 2 years and counting. I also know many employers with freelancers working for them longer than 6 months

Yeh it is hard to find a reliable freelancer. We have to look at different factors to help us make informed decisions. What website to go to for us to search for freelancers. Do they have good feedback from employers for similar projects? What protection do we have in case the freelancer does not complete the job or if we are not completely happy with their work?

**scorpionagency** · 05-06-2011, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EaaTan

But I've many bad experiences dealing with Freelancers that I should not be working with in the first place.

This is a pretty common assessment that we hear very often all across the internet in just about every nook and cranny. The reason for so many reports of unsatisfied clients dealing with freelancers simply boils down the BOOM of inexperienced, unmotivated, and under educated individuals that self proclaim the title of freelancer with absolutely no real understanding of the skill sets they listed on their resume.

Lots jump into freelancing with no experience because someone told them it was a fast easy cash industry (which is total misinformation). It's these types you have to be very cautious with and it's advised that you do a little research and ask questions before hand to try and detect them.

There are legitimate freelancers that spent years in their field and have a vast hands on working knowledge of their skill sets. Naturally these freelancers will charge a bit more for their services and will have a solid background in business ethics.

Another factor to always keep in mind, is that it might not be the actual skill set of a freelancer that causes a bad experience, but it may boil down to communication. If the client and the freelancer have communication barriers stemming from where they were raised and their first language, it can definitely effect the project experience and damage any smooth workflow attempts via misunderstandings. Sometimes it's best to take a little time and get to know your freelancer first through correspondence to insure that project communications would go smoothly.

Just my thoughts on this topic and question anyways,

Eric Lyon

**Shey** · 05-09-2011, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpionagency

...There are legitimate freelancers that spent years in their field and have a vast hands on working knowledge of their skill sets. Naturally these freelancers will charge a bit more for their services and will have a solid background in business ethics.

I agree with you Eric. I have just posted a response to a similar issue
http://tycoontalk.freelancer.com/out...ml#post1165002

**PaulW** · 05-09-2011, 10:24 PM

Yup, pay peanuts and you'll only hire monkeys. I charge a high daily rate as a software engineer and I'm turning down work - because I have experience and a good reputation. I look at some of the cattle market sites and see people offering a few dollars for a significant development - no wonder all they get is problems after some spotty kid is the only person who'll take their job.

**Lashtal** · 07-25-2011, 05:27 PM

Hey Paul,

so you do not go through Freelancer.com to get jobs?

if not, are you one of those guys that uses other forms of internet marketing to advertise your skill-set?

**PaulW** · 07-25-2011, 11:09 PM

I have a long and good track record and enough people know me that I get offered contracts without having to apply - and I never cut my contract rate. (Well, I do do freebies for a few friends and family.)

My point above about getting low-skilled people for low money holds - repeatedly doing small jobs for crap wages usually means repeatedly writing small and bad programs. Occasionally it'll mean writing large and bad programs. Good software engineers don't offer their services for a few dollars per job.

**chrishirst** · 07-30-2011, 04:59 PM

I'll second that view.

For what many of the "employers" expect to pay I wouldn't bother getting out of bed for!

**StylaStyla** · 08-03-2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrishirst

I'll second that view.

For what many of the "employers" expect to pay I wouldn't bother getting out of bed for!

Yes, especially nowadays as opposed to a few years back.

Had a friend who applied for a graphic design position. They wanted him to also know HTML / CSS / PHP MYSQL and CMS technologies...

Salary: £18k

!!

**visiontree** · 09-02-2011, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpionagency

This is a pretty common assessment that we hear very often all across the internet in just about every nook and cranny. The reason for so many reports of unsatisfied clients dealing with freelancers simply boils down the BOOM of inexperienced, unmotivated, and under educated individuals that self proclaim the title of freelancer with absolutely no real understanding of the skill sets they listed on their resume.

Lots jump into freelancing with no experience because someone told them it was a fast easy cash industry (which is total misinformation). It's these types you have to be very cautious with and it's advised that you do a little research and ask questions before hand to try and detect them.

There are legitimate freelancers that spent years in their field and have a vast hands on working knowledge of their skill sets. Naturally these freelancers will charge a bit more for their services and will have a solid background in business ethics.

Another factor to always keep in mind, is that it might not be the actual skill set of a freelancer that causes a bad experience, but it may boil down to communication. If the client and the freelancer have communication barriers stemming from where they were raised and their first language, it can definitely effect the project experience and damage any smooth workflow attempts via misunderstandings. Sometimes it's best to take a little time and get to know your freelancer first through correspondence to insure that project communications would go smoothly.

Just my thoughts on this topic and question anyways,

Eric Lyon

As I completely agree with you, a lot of times it's also very small a fault in the employer of a freelance job as well. Every time I use a freelancer to do any type of work for me I do an extensive interview to make sure everything checks out and that they actually know what it is they are doing and how to execute it.

**texasprowriter** · 09-03-2011, 05:58 AM

This particular thread is near and dear to my heart, and is possibly one of the first I have read on this forum where no one seems to be pursuing a personal agenda. Every one of the participants here seem to be exchanging views and experiences without rancor.

I freelance as well as hire freelancers to complete heavy workloads. I have maintained relationships with clients up to 5 years online. I have maintained relationships with other freelancers for up to two years. The reason for the disparity in time lines is that I began as a freelancer so naturally have more job time in that area. The second reason is that talented freelancers almost always make the transition from self-employed to entrepreneur after a year or two.

Realistic expectations, a fair rate of pay and communication has made these long term relationships work. Play nice and people will keep playing with you. Expect something for nothing, and at least in my experience, someone always leaves mad or disappointed.

**PaulW** · 09-03-2011, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasprowriter

This particular thread is near and dear to my heart, and is possibly one of the first I have read on this forum where no one seems to be pursuing a personal agenda. Every one of the participants here seem to be exchanging views and experiences without rancor.

I freelance as well as hire freelancers to complete heavy workloads. I have maintained relationships with clients up to 5 years online. I have maintained relationships with other freelancers for up to two years. The reason for the disparity in time lines is that I began as a freelancer so naturally have more job time in that area. The second reason is that talented freelancers almost always make the transition from self-employed to entrepreneur after a year or two.

Realistic expectations, a fair rate of pay and communication has made these long term relationships work. Play nice and people will keep playing with you. Expect something for nothing, and at least in my experience, someone always leaves mad or disappointed.

Exactly.

And nobody needing root canal work would think "oo let's have a look on fiverr for an amateur dentist and save some money". Why put your business-critical operations in the hands of such a stranger?

**akhilbest** · 11-12-2011, 08:30 AM

We are a startup development company based in india. As i came to this forum, i came to know really interesting points to be noted down to do business here on freelancer.
As i read posts on this forum, most of the people are very experienced here on freelancer.
I have a question, as most of the people have suggested to look at few points like feedback,rating etc before hiring a freelancer....so how a new joined person like me can get work here?? We have worked for renowned IT companies in india for years and has got a huge experience on the software development field. We have started a IT company with a talented and experienced staff, but we are looking to get project on freelancer. we dont have any feedback, we dont have any rating...but what we have is certain set of skills which we could utillise to fulfill clients requirement.
Please guide us, process to get start working here.
Thank you

**shipanmm** · 11-12-2011, 09:55 AM

I think your proposal message and good portfolio is most important to getting job and must keep patience..

**PaulW** · 11-12-2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akhilbest

We are a startup development company based in india. As i came to this forum, i came to know really interesting points to be noted down to do business here on freelancer.
As i read posts on this forum, most of the people are very experienced here on freelancer.
I have a question, as most of the people have suggested to look at few points like feedback,rating etc before hiring a freelancer....so how a new joined person like me can get work here?? We have worked for renowned IT companies in india for years and has got a huge experience on the software development field. We have started a IT company with a talented and experienced staff, but we are looking to get project on freelancer. we dont have any feedback, we dont have any rating...but what we have is certain set of skills which we could utillise to fulfill clients requirement.
Please guide us, process to get start working here.
Thank you

Apart from the points just mentioned, i I were looking for people like you I might also see if you had a good posting record here - have you answered technical questions sensibly and accurately?