If you’ve never heard of Odesk here is a quick explanation from an online marketer’s point of view: A global marketplace where you can outsource anything that is online related.
John Reese famed marketing guru came out with an outsourcing course a couple of years ago; which I didn’t bother to buy, and oh boy, did I make a mistake.
I have been hiring from Odesk a little over a year now and have about 80 contracts under my belt. So I got into the routine of working with people overseas and quickly gained experience about what NOT to do.
My main problem with Odesk that there are LOT and I mean a ton of who are not qualified for the task you’re hiring for.
This is How It Works!
Quick example (and I have plenty of these 
):
I posted a job about a very simple task: Content writing for article. Now, 30 contractors show up, I run over the list and I pick the top 5 guys who I think the best fit. ( Of course each contractor has their own profile that shows their work history, feedback from their past employers, skills they possess, resume, portfolio, list of test they have taken at Odesk’s back office and so on. )
So my picks met all the criteria I was concerned about but regardless of all that, I picked 5 lemons. I really don’t care where you’re from if you can deliver (or at least you say you can deliver and your background checks out fine I will hire you).
So I ended up with 5 articles that I could not read or understand even though one of writers was American (which of course wasn’t the case; You gotta know that some of the contractors put up fake pictures and fake location ie: Sunny California, USA) to look more inviting for employers). One of the article was generated from an already written content using a software called Best Spinner which used without the knowledge of HTML will give you very embarrassing results.
There are a ton of nightmare stories that I could share about (webdesign, Opt-in from creation, Bloggin, Link Wheel, Seo… you name it!) but I won’t bore you to death this time.
Conclusion:
Hire fast, fire faster.
This what you want to do:
1. When you list a job be absolutely clear about what exactly want. Mention that you’re looking for ONLY serious team players. How much you pay, time schedule….everything. The better and more detailed you’re the easier your life gonna be. Once you post the job all bets are off and you will get exactly what you’re asking for.
2. Check applicant’s work history, feedback, tests, portfolio.. etc. If the person seem like a good candidate move onto step 3.
3. Invite the for a quick chat on skype or whatever you use but this platform is the most popular on Odesk. Remember you already gave a very clear, outlined instructions about what exactly you want, so that chat is not going to be about that. You ask them if they have any questions regarding the task, if they ever done task like this before if so for how long. Now, you do this for two reasons: A: you will get the feel for their level of communication, B: you will also see if they can back up the story they on their profile.
Listen to your got! If you feel it’s a match than HIRE and get the ball rolling!
Don’t try to be cute!
If you’re cute they think you’re not serious. This is business. It ‘s time and money; your money, so you gotta know what you’re doing.
I hope it helps! Please let me know what you think!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tel: 925.381.5533
Skype: akosfintor
Email: Akos@AkosFintor.net
P.S. If You Don’t Have a Step-By-Step Blueprint For Generating More Leads, Check This Out (Unless You Already Have Too Many) Click Here For Instant Access
December 27, 2011 at 1:55 pm
Hi Akos – thanks for visiting my site. I also just replied to your comment. Just surfing around your’s. Enjoy it
Can I outsource my social media marketing too? It’s taking up so much of my time!! and i’m getting cross eyed
Noch Noch
December 27, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Hello Noch Noch,
You can outsource ANYTHING. I even outsourced my “Christmas shopping duties” – (just kiddin’:) ) But seriously, you’re right you can grow old very quickly on Twitter
. When you outsource especially social media related projects just make sure that the contractor is fluent in English and he/she really cares about you and your business.
Delighted to you see you here!
Akos
January 1, 2012 at 8:48 pm
Akos One thing I learned from outsourcing sites that when despute occurs b/w buyer and employees the outsourcing site always give importance to buyer and that’s sometime not fair.
They need to put a action after geting both party reviews and proof.
By the way cheers Happy New Year.
January 1, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Hey Rizwan,
Yes, I totally agree with you. Both parties should be handled with the same attention and investigated under the same light.
I simply say as an employer that we need to be in charge and set the tone of the communications right off the bat.
Thanks for the feedback though and Happy New Year to u too!
Akos
December 27, 2011 at 5:36 pm
Good stuff, Akos!
I don’t think I’m that much in need of this right now, but I’m looking at this in the future tense. It will certainly prove to be very useful as I continue to build my brand and followership. (That might not be a real word, but you get the point. haha)
Thanks for the awesome information, buddy!
December 28, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Hey Hey Hey,
There are people who go about branding themselves in the smart way and they may not be in the need of outsourcing. Unfortunately I’m not one of them
. I do need
medical“outsourcing” attention .Hm, followership is a real word………now
thanks for dropping by!
December 27, 2011 at 6:01 pm
Akos! What a great article. Outsourcing is one of the things I do, and plan to do more in the coming year. Yes, I agree that one must be careful when “hiring” a person or company to do so.
I have made so many friends since I have been on line that I use to get the job done. Without outsourcing, things just become another “to do” on your list.
Thank your for this great information,
Donna
December 28, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Hello Donna,
Once you really decide going online with a full force (branding) you can spend 8-10 hours a day on the net easily and still have 8 things left on your to do list. It can (and will) get overwhelming. So to me outsourcing is the only way to clone myself as of now.
I really appreciate your input, Donna!
December 29, 2011 at 8:41 am
Hi Akos, how wonderful to visit your site.
I have never hired an out-sourcer to be honest. I’m not saying I won’t this year but I do understand the necessity to be thorough.
It’s a little scary outsourcing to people you don’t know. You do have to listen to your gut… but there has to be trust in there too.
On the other hand, find a good one… and life can be so much easier and save you so much time.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Best
Jayne
December 29, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Hello Jayne,
Listen to your instincts before hiring (and also make sure to run a quick background check – outlined in the post).
I heard nightmare stories about blogs getting hacked like that.
best
Akos
December 29, 2011 at 6:15 pm
What a timely post.
I’ve been outsourcing work for a long time now but through the safety of Elance.com. Just over a month ago I have moved to hiring my own workers full time. One newly employed worker took advantage of my generosity and asked for a payment upfront because they had hit on hard times… Then they took the money and ran. I’m still trying to get the right dynamics in my team but slowly I’m getting there. As you said akos you will come across some duds… you just have to keep plugging away.
December 29, 2011 at 8:07 pm
Hey Kian,
Upfront payment
. I had that happened in the very beginning but now I set the tone loud and clear. It’s take it or leave it and when you have the money you’re in charge and you run the show.
I’ve never tired Elance but of course there are a ton of outsourcing companies out there.
Thanks for the feedback!
Happy Holidays!
Akos
December 30, 2011 at 9:06 am
Hello Akos, I’ve been using Odesk for about 3 years and really like the service! I have 3 regular people and Odesk makes it really easy to pay them and keep track of how much work they do.
I also use Odesk for irregular jobs, such as one night, I was trying to get a web page to look just right and I realized I was wasting my time. Why not get an expert in CSS to do it in a few mins. I went onto Odesk and advertised the job with the exact specs. I said it would take an expert about 15 mins. Someone from the other side of the world to me answered straight away, and showed my an image of his solution. He said once I paid him, he would send me the code. Fantastic service!
Happy New Year! Regards from Julieanne
December 30, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Hey Julieanne,
In the beginning I had trouble letting my guards down and trust somebody touching my “web property”. But finally I realized I was gonna have to clone myself sooner or later. So I gave in and boy I made a good decision.
Thanks for your feedback!
Happy Holidays!
December 31, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Hello Akos,
this is good artical and it is good for everyone I want to know everything abou your artical so please tell me the future of this artical.this is a great artical of the year.
January 1, 2012 at 12:50 am
Hey Rizwan,
Are you saying this is the best article of the year? LOL
That’s funny.
However I’m glad if you take away some sort of insight.
Thanks for dropping by!
September 14, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Wow, good stuff! Glad you shared this