Outsourcing Defined - What It Is and How It Can Be Advantageous to Internet Marketers
Most internet marketing businesses begin as a one-man or one-woman effort.
It's not uncommon for internet marketers to work on their own, do their own research, design their own advertising and promotional materials or interact with suppliers and customers.
However, there are certain tasks that may be too labor-intensive or time consuming for the busy internet marketer.
When and if this happens, outsourcing might be an effective solution.
Is this the right thing for you and should you consider doing outsourcing in the future?Below is a definition of outsourcing, an explanation of its use and whether or not it is beneficial for you.
Outsourcing is the term used for subcontracting, wherein an individual or company hires another individual or company to perform certain tasks related to a process.
This process is often a non-critical or non-core step in the manufacture, production or design of a product or service.
Outsourcing services are often referred to as suppliers, service providers or third-party providers.
Business owners began using outsourcing in the 1980s and it has grown significantly over the years.
These days, it is a recognized industry on its own, with its own set of experts, standards and skill managers.
How outsourcing works in internet marketing If your internet marketing business involves the production of leather belts, for example, you might want to outsource the manufacture of buckles to another company in order to save time and money on labor.
Although the finished product is yours, one process (the production of buckles) was made by someone else.
Typically, it is a business segment or process that is being outsourced.
Some of these include functions and tasks related to telemarketing, customer service, IT, manufacturing, finance and accounting, market research and human resources.
Services such as housekeeping, landscaping and janitorial are also often outsourced.
When to use outsourcing As an internet marketer, you probably won't need to outsource during the initial stages of your business, particularly if your business processes are simple.
A streamlined operation, for example, will probably require efforts coming from you.
There are situations in internet marketing that might require outsourcing, though.
Consider this option when: -you have no skill or background knowledge regarding the process -someone else can perform a better job than you -you don't want to hire additional manpower to perform the task -someone is more capable of performing the process at lesser cost and shorter time -you have no time or capital to try to develop a process in-house or buy the equipment What is the relationship of the internet marketer with the outsource service? An outsourcing supplier or provider is not your employee - they are your business partner.
Although the production or performance of a particular task is dependent on them, you control the standards.
You set the ideal quality for the product or service and it is the job of the service provider to follow your specifications.
You also do not have any supervisory responsibility over the employees of the outsourcing company.
You cannot, for example, mandate them directly.
If there are issues and concerns you need to discuss, you must present them to the outsourcing company representative.
The people working for the outsourcing company are also not your employees.
If they have any issues regarding your tasks, they should discuss these with their employer, not with you.
Deciding to outsource Outsourcing should be a strategic component of your internet marketing business.
It's not something you turn to because everybody else is doing it or because it seems like a good idea.
Again, outsourcing is not required IF your business processes are streamlined or if you have the necessary skills, knowledge and manpower.
Decide on outsourcing only if the above situations apply to your internet marketing business.
Consider the subject of outsourcing carefully.
Before you turn to this solution, try to identify exactly which task or process you need to outsource.
You should be able to justify this issue in terms of value and cost.
If outsourcing turns out to be more costly or unnecessary, for example, it's a waste of time and money on your part.
Once you have decided on outsourcing, look for a company that has the right experience and expertise on the process or task.
Try to obtain at least three proposals so you can compare cost and service.
Be prepared, though.
Looking for the right outsourcing company means numerous meetings with their representatives plus negotiations.
Once you've made your choice, have your agreement detailed in a contract.
This will be the basis of quality standards for you and the provider and will serve as an important component of your business relationship.
Your business and outsourcing Outsourcing can be an excellent solution for an internet marketer but before deciding on using this, it's important to carefully consider whether it will be advantageous to your business or not.
Used strategically, outsourcing can save you money, improve your product or service and streamline your business processes.
It's not uncommon for internet marketers to work on their own, do their own research, design their own advertising and promotional materials or interact with suppliers and customers.
However, there are certain tasks that may be too labor-intensive or time consuming for the busy internet marketer.
When and if this happens, outsourcing might be an effective solution.
Is this the right thing for you and should you consider doing outsourcing in the future?Below is a definition of outsourcing, an explanation of its use and whether or not it is beneficial for you.
Outsourcing is the term used for subcontracting, wherein an individual or company hires another individual or company to perform certain tasks related to a process.
This process is often a non-critical or non-core step in the manufacture, production or design of a product or service.
Outsourcing services are often referred to as suppliers, service providers or third-party providers.
Business owners began using outsourcing in the 1980s and it has grown significantly over the years.
These days, it is a recognized industry on its own, with its own set of experts, standards and skill managers.
How outsourcing works in internet marketing If your internet marketing business involves the production of leather belts, for example, you might want to outsource the manufacture of buckles to another company in order to save time and money on labor.
Although the finished product is yours, one process (the production of buckles) was made by someone else.
Typically, it is a business segment or process that is being outsourced.
Some of these include functions and tasks related to telemarketing, customer service, IT, manufacturing, finance and accounting, market research and human resources.
Services such as housekeeping, landscaping and janitorial are also often outsourced.
When to use outsourcing As an internet marketer, you probably won't need to outsource during the initial stages of your business, particularly if your business processes are simple.
A streamlined operation, for example, will probably require efforts coming from you.
There are situations in internet marketing that might require outsourcing, though.
Consider this option when: -you have no skill or background knowledge regarding the process -someone else can perform a better job than you -you don't want to hire additional manpower to perform the task -someone is more capable of performing the process at lesser cost and shorter time -you have no time or capital to try to develop a process in-house or buy the equipment What is the relationship of the internet marketer with the outsource service? An outsourcing supplier or provider is not your employee - they are your business partner.
Although the production or performance of a particular task is dependent on them, you control the standards.
You set the ideal quality for the product or service and it is the job of the service provider to follow your specifications.
You also do not have any supervisory responsibility over the employees of the outsourcing company.
You cannot, for example, mandate them directly.
If there are issues and concerns you need to discuss, you must present them to the outsourcing company representative.
The people working for the outsourcing company are also not your employees.
If they have any issues regarding your tasks, they should discuss these with their employer, not with you.
Deciding to outsource Outsourcing should be a strategic component of your internet marketing business.
It's not something you turn to because everybody else is doing it or because it seems like a good idea.
Again, outsourcing is not required IF your business processes are streamlined or if you have the necessary skills, knowledge and manpower.
Decide on outsourcing only if the above situations apply to your internet marketing business.
Consider the subject of outsourcing carefully.
Before you turn to this solution, try to identify exactly which task or process you need to outsource.
You should be able to justify this issue in terms of value and cost.
If outsourcing turns out to be more costly or unnecessary, for example, it's a waste of time and money on your part.
Once you have decided on outsourcing, look for a company that has the right experience and expertise on the process or task.
Try to obtain at least three proposals so you can compare cost and service.
Be prepared, though.
Looking for the right outsourcing company means numerous meetings with their representatives plus negotiations.
Once you've made your choice, have your agreement detailed in a contract.
This will be the basis of quality standards for you and the provider and will serve as an important component of your business relationship.
Your business and outsourcing Outsourcing can be an excellent solution for an internet marketer but before deciding on using this, it's important to carefully consider whether it will be advantageous to your business or not.
Used strategically, outsourcing can save you money, improve your product or service and streamline your business processes.
