What You Should Know Before You Start Your Outsource Project

Employers imagine this scenario, you are going to the grocery store, you have your shopping list, you are going to buy yourself some food, enough to keep you fed for a week. You pay for your groceries, you have remained within your budget. You take your groceries home and put your groceries away. That night, you are cooking dinner and you realize that you need a key ingredient. You find it, turns out your bought it at the grocery store earlier that day, haven’t written it down on your grocery list. The moral of the story, a good plan can help you recover more quickly from mishaps.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you are going to the grocery store. You don’t know exactly what you need, but you figure it is grocery shopping, how hard can it be. You get to the grocery store, grab a cart, getting a little bit of this and little bit of that. You pay for your purchases, it has cost you more than you would have expected. You get home, put away your groceries. That night, you are cooking dinner and you realize that you are missing a key ingredient. You failed to get it when you went grocery shopping that afternoon. The moral of the story is no plan, is a bad plan. Things happen, unexpected, surprising, annoying things happen but a good plan can help you recover more quickly from mishaps and retain some control in even the most unexpected circumstances.

Employers, a project checklist, like a grocery list, it will sustain you through the process of getting your project off the ground and quickly recover from mishaps. When you feel stressed, check your list. When you feel frustrated-check your list. When you feel unsure of your next step, check your list.

Employers, the first thing that should be on your check list is to find a professional freelancer. Easier said then done, I know, but done it can be.

Checklist for finding the right freelancer: Talent, experience, skills, and their bid is within budget.

Side note: Wouldn’t a sparkle in their eye be nice too.

Employers the second item on your checklist, finding a professional you can talk to about your project. A lack of understanding can result in your project not being completed on time. The only way an employer will be sure that the freelancer has the depth of knowledge and understanding required for the project is by talking to them.

Checklist for finding a professional who understands your project needs: Exhibits a strong knowledge of your project needs, and a familiarity with the tools to complete the project.

A professional who can’t communicate well should be a big red flag to any employer. The number one requirement of a professional freelancer is to have the ability to articulate their skills, experience, knowledge to an employer. Which leads to the third item that should be on an employer’s checklist, communication between you and the freelancer should be as easy as pie.

Checklist for finding a professional where effective communication is possible: Articulate, no language barrier and communicate about the project.

You can’t talk to someone if they can’t be reached. Employer, are you having a hard time getting in touch with your freelancer and wondering if they are dead or alive? Here is a quick tip, it should not be that difficult. Things happen, but when entering a business relationship you are agreeing to make yourself available. It does not have to be all the time-some employers can be very demanding, not you of course-but time is money. And if the professional freelancer can’t be reached, how can you ask a question about the project or any other details that are important to the project’s success.

Checklist for finding a professional that responds to my inquiries: Accessible, provide various contact information, and available until project is completed.

Escrow ensures that if a project is not completed to the employer’s specifications and satisfaction, they receive a refund. Payment to the professional is held in escrow until the employer decides to release them, and they are only released when they are satisfied with the project. Using escrow is a safe way to enter into a practically risk-free working relationship.

Checklist for finding a professional, they are willing to use Escrow.

In conclusion, checklists can make an unmanageable situation, manageable.