You've mentioned outsourcing a number of times in the blog. I'm curious as to how this works for you?
Great question. I believe in outsourcing because it doubles my billable hours. I try to work only 6 hours per day (when my children are at school). That was one of my goals when I left the cube. However, I found it difficult to make 40 hour per week pay in the course of a 30 hour week. In addition, I wasn't even writing during those 30 hours-- I also had to consider administration, errands, marketing, etc.
I will be honest in telling you that the idea fell into my lap. I was approached by a publisher to do a large content project. But, she didn't want me to do it myself. She expected me to manage it, and hire sub-contractors. I was hesitant, at first. I didn't like putting my business into the hands of another writer. However, I did some research and found that it was feasible. I have since focused on pursuing similar projects with large publishers.
So how about you? How can you get in on this type of project?
- Consider incorporating your freelance writing business. My first publisher told me that her company likes to work with LLCs and other incorporated businesses because of the added protection and delineation.
- Watch the job boards for people looking to hire sub-contractors. This will give you a taste of the type of work that is out there, along with specifics such as pay ranges, pay dates, and expectations. In addition, you can net the recommendation of a writer who is already "in" with these content publishers.
- Consider one-person, freelance-based work directly with larger companies. Sometimes they will hire one or two lone freelancers for smaller jobs. Again, this will net you a contact within the company, and a recommendation.
- Practice outsourcing, even when you don't need to. Managing people is a whole different ballgame than managing just yourself. Plus, you can begin to build a list of reputable, responsible sub-contractees.
Successful Management of Freelance Writers
Of course, once you procure those large projects, you enter this new space where you are the boss. Instead of being accountable to yourself, others are now accountable to you, and you to the larger client. Here are some tips for successfully managing outsourced freelance writing:
- Hire those you know- as long as you know them to be responsible, reliable writers.
- Fudge deadlines. Things come up. They really do. I always set my deadlines ahead in order to protect my company's reputation to the client.
- Don't over-extend. Without automated systems and management software, I've found that I can successfully manage only about twelve sub-contractees. Remember, you'll need to answer questions, put together contracts, and process payments.
- Be clear. Tell your subcontractees when their deadline is, when their pay is coming, what exactly they are doing (big picture), when they can reach you, and how they can reach you.
- Familiarize yourself with the taxes and payment issues. With my first subcontracting project, I'd forgotten that there are various fees involved in processing payments through Paypal or bank transfers. This bit into my anticipated profit. In addition, know that you are responsible for collecting W9s and reporting your sub-contractee's income to the IRS.
- Remember that final responsibility is always yours. The work you turn in is yours- not the sub-contractees'. If there is an issue, it is with your company; no one else. Make sure everything turned in is exactly as you would have it had you been writing everything yourself.
