spread-ur-teams

Outsourcing through GetACoder is in itself a great way to be prepared for disasters and ensure business continuity regardless of what is thrown at you. However, there are certain steps and strategies you should put in place in order to make sure that your organization is really insulated against potential threats to your income.

For a start outsourcing your tasks and operations offshore may provide a safety net in case your locale gets hit by a natural disaster or terrorist attack but you still shouldn’t put all of your eggs in one basket overseas either. Spread your teams around the globe so that regardless of whether any one city is totally wiped out you will still have staff up and running as normal and able to take orders. This is especially critical with sales teams who need to be available to make and take calls every day. Even if you are using call centers you can have one in Bangladesh, one in Manila and another in the US, all connected and set up to receive calls through one toll free number. If one goes down, calls are automatically routed to your other centers.

Regardless of how trustworthy and reliable any of your contractors are you should never have team members storing data or records on local computers. These should be stored in the cloud using Google Docs or similar so that nothing is ever lost and work can easily be shared with others who may need to step in to help.

On this subject you will also find it smart to pre-screen and qualify freelance contractors ahead of time. That way you are never left to scramble and forced to hire for critical positions on the fly. You will already have backups to call when you need them.

You should already have them anyway, but by creating manuals and systems you can truly automate your business in the face of any issues. When a disaster arises your manager ought to be able to turn to the right section and know how to implement needed tweaks to keep things rolling without even bothering you. Similarly these systems should be able to get new employees up and running in their positions with minimal direct supervision or contact. They should be able to boot up and follow the system so that they can take over any one’s role from day one.

Remember that you might not be able to control what nature throws your way but there won’t be anyone else to blame if you are not prepared. These are the times that separate the survivors and leaders from the one night wonders.

Tim picked up the travel bug at a young age from his missionary parents. After building several million dollar enterprises he is now a freelancer, business consultant and professional writer who has adventured through much of Europe as well as North and South America. Thanks to outsourcing Tim has now joined the ranks of those living the jet set lifestyle as an international nomad on the constant exploration of new sights, sounds and tastes. Tim is one of several freelance writers on the GetACoder Blog team.

business · call centers · contractors · disasters · employees · freelance · google docs · offshore · Outsourcing · pre screen · strategies · teams

So you’ve posted your job on GetACoder, you have received a ton of bids, you have found some extremely talented and skilled freelance providers with great experience, but don’t hit the ‘hire’ button yet!

Whether you are hiring a graphic designer, web developer, project manager, writer or an entire marketing team it is important to ensure that your provider can deliver exactly what you are looking for and that they are clear on your expectations and the results you want to achieve.

Unfortunately while GetACoder’s army of freelance contractors are extremely talented and affordable they are not mind readers. Unless you tell them and show them exactly what you desire and anticipate you can’t expect them to hit it right the first time every time. This means wasted time and resources, not to mention frustration and the risk of negative feedback for both parties. It is much wiser to take a few moments to be crystal clear in relaying what you want.

Freelancers work with a multitude of buyers every month, each of which has their own style and tastes. So what is common sense and looks good to you, may not be what the last 10 employers asked of them. This means that you should also not rely on just what you see in a provider’s portfolio as a judge of their work. Perhaps a previous buyer want something cheap and fast or really didn’t know what they were doing and the work is not necessarily the best display of their capabilities, but it is exactly what was asked for. Try to get a feel for their natural style or at least make sure they can adapt to yours.

Before hitting the hire button send specific instructions and examples of the style of work you are looking to havedone. This will save you a ton of time and make sure you hire right. If you don’t really know what the best way to approach something is or what you want, that is OK, but then perhaps it is wise to ask for a couple different options within the first few hours of work after hiring rather than letting them work away for a week in the wrong direction. Be clear on what is most important to you – quantity versus quality, otherwise you may find them rushing too fast just to deliver something because that is what they believe you want. Give as much detail as you can on who your ideal target market is, what results you want to achieve and how soon.

Lastly before you make your hire consider what is most important, saving every penny that you can now or getting superior quality work that can really bring you the results you want the first time around?

Tim picked up the travel bug at a young age from his missionary parents. After building several million dollar enterprises he is now a freelancer, business consultant and professional writer who has adventured through much of Europe as well as North and South America. Thanks to outsourcing Tim has now joined the ranks of those living the jet set lifestyle as an international nomad on the constant exploration of new sights, sounds and tastes. Tim is one of several freelance writers on the GetACoder Blog team.

bids · buyers · contractors · employers · feedback · freelance providers · freelancers · hiring · job · portfolio · skilled · talented

As freelancers, we sometimes end up with more work than we can reasonably handle. It’s hard to say no to some projects, even when your plate’s already full or parts of it aren’t really in your area of expertise. When this happens, one thing you can do is subcontract, or delegate your work to other contractors for a share of the pay.

This setup has worked well for many contractors on GetACoder. But it’s not always easy playing boss and employee at the same time. Here’s how you can step into that dual role and make subcontracting work for you.

Call a friend— or look harder

Ideally, you will subcontract to someone you have worked with before, or friends whose abilities you trust. But if you have to look elsewhere, learn to look beyond the buzzword-peppered resumes. Anyone can look good on paper. Have them provide samples of their work, look them up online, or ask for references. It may seem like overkill for a few days’ work, but remember, your reputation’s at stake too.

Get it down on paper

A written contract is a must, even if you’re hiring your brother. Make sure to define all your terms, deadlines, and expectations. Will the work be delivered in milestones or all in one piece? How much will they be paid, and when? When everything’s clear at the outset, both of you can get to work at once and avoid misunderstandings down the road. At the very least, getting your own thoughts down on paper helps you see the project more clearly.

Communicate

You’ll want to know how your subcontractor is doing at every turn, and he or she will want feedback on theirperformance from time to time. Lack of communication opens the door to all sorts of problems, from time zone conflicts to misunderstood instructions, all of which translate to wasted time and money. Make sure to keep a clear line of communication. If working side by side isn’t an option, agree to work at certain hours or send each other updates at certain times of the day.

Verify information

There’s nothing wrong with hiring people who know more than you do, but how do you know if someone’s doing substandard work in a field you’re not familiar with? It’s too easy for them to pull the wool over your eyes and get away with their shortcomings. If you air out every little doubt, they’ll be less inclined to cover up.

June Ruivivar lives in Montreal, Canada, where she works as a freelance writer and editor. She volunteers as an English teacher and speaks French, Spanish, and Italian. Besides writing, she is also interested in physics, astronomy, economics, and photography. She also writes stories for EdemiaWorld.com, a web comic. June is one of several freelance writers on the GetACoder Blog team.

communication · contractors · deadlines · delegate · employee · freelancers · milestones · performance · projects · references · samples · subcontract · subcontracting work · subcontractor · work

There are many freedoms to enjoy in the freelance and outsourcing industries, but some things never change, and one of those things is paying taxes.  Paying taxes when you are a freelancer or outsourcer, though, is much different than paying taxes when working a typical job, because it is the freelance or outsourcing contractor’s responsibility alone to make sure that taxes are being paid.  Furthermore, the penalties for not paying taxes will be the responsibility of the contractor as well, and those penalties can be pretty significant.  While some outsourcing sites will help contractors set up to have taxes taken out, for the most part contractors are left to their own devices.  This is why it is important to understand the tax obligations of the freelance or outsourcing contractor.

Know How Much a Contractor Can Earn Before Having to Pay Taxes

When it comes to income there is a certain amount that a freelance or outsourcing contractor can earn before even having to pay taxes.  For different geographical locations the rules are different so it is important to be sure what those income guidelines are, before deciding not to pay.  Many beginning contractors find that they fall into this category in the beginning of their freelancing or outsourcing careers, but just as many skip out when they shouldn’t, and this can be a costly decision.

Know What Deductions are Available to Contractors

For those contractors that do find that they must pay taxes it is important to know which deductions are available to them.  While some of these deductions will be based on how much a contractor earns, others can be used by almost any contractor.  These deductions can greatly reduce the amount of tax that a contractor ends up owing to the government, and in some cases will even allow for a return.

Know How Contractors Should Go About Filing Taxes

Many contractors find themselves very confused about how to go about paying their taxes, and for that reason some do not even pay them, which as stated before can be costly.  Some contractors will receive forms stating how much they have earned in a year, but those that do not can still file their taxes.  It is important to keep a clear record of income in order to be able to bring it into a tax office to file taxes at the end of the year.

Nobody likes paying income taxes but it is a very necessary evil, even for GetACoder freelance and outsourcing contractors.  Knowing how to get started will result in less stress when tax time rolls around at the end of the year.

Michelle Lynn Schmeer is a student at American Public University, with five months left before she will earn a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.  She has been freelance writing for more than three years and has been writing about a variety of topics, including health supplements, business, communications, and travel, just to name a few.  Michelle lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children.  She enjoys reading, being outdoors, and cooking. Michelle is one of several freelance writers on the GetACoder Blog team.

careers · contractors · freelance · freelancing · income · job · outsourcer · Outsourcing · tax office · taxes · working

There is no way to separate the way the world works from your freelancing business plan. Every time you log onto the net you are swimming in a sea of information from several countries and if you are looking to make a living as a freelancer you will need to work for clients from all sorts of countries. GetACoder supports clients and freelancers from all over the world, providing projects and contractors to anyone who needs them. Every freelancer needs to be aware of how a foreign currency can affect their bottom line and the jobs they choose to take.

The exchange rate you are going to deal with is based on just how strong your own currency is in the global market, more specifically when compared to the currency of the client’s country. A common mistake a freelancer can make when quoting price is to make an offer that is not based around their currency. For example, if you are working out of the United States and you have a choice between a client in the United Kingdom and one in the Ukraine it would be better to lean on the UK. Also, make your estimate in the denomination of the stronger currency, it will make your offer more transparent and if you are dealing with a client with a strong currency they will be more accommodating.

Working out of a country with a weaker currency will make you a more appealing prospect, but do not negotiate from a weak place, ensure you are getting a fair amount for your work. That being said, there are advantages of working under a depressed currency, especially if you are paid through PayPal, you can deposit foreign funds directly through you bank and depending on their conversion rate save money on the transaction. Clients are also aware of some of the benefits that can come with working with a freelancer with a depressed currency as in most cases they will be able to benefit from the situation monetarily.

Never use this situation as an excuse to lower expected pay. Simply because the exchange rate tips in the client favour does not mean that they have all the cards. As a freelancer you have a responsibility to the client, but at the end of the day you must make sure that you are being paid what your time and effort are worth. Look at the work load and do some research as to how much people in that country expect to be paid for that job and make your rate lean as far as possible in that direction.

If you find a job you are suited for and the clients currency is valued below yours you need to expect some heavy negotiating if you want to take the job at all. Always play fair to protect your reputation but be realistic. Typically if you can prove yourself as a coder, designer, or architect then any client will pay what you are worth but if they won’t its best to move on.

James Thomas has been a professional blogger for three years and an add writer for two years. He has won several awards for creative and journalistic writing including the equivocality.net Writers Travel Scholarship. He graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in English and will be attending Oxford Brookes University to complete a Masters degree in publishing in th fall of 2011. James is one of several freelance writers on the GetACoder Blog team.

architect · business · clients · coder · contractors · currencies · designer · freelancers · freelancing · global market · jobs · projects · quoting price · rate · save money · work

Those individuals that keep up on growing trends in business will see that outsourcing is one of those growing trends and there are a number of reasons why.  Outsourcing involves contracting work outside of the business itself, to other companies or individual freelancers, and there are numerous benefits to both sides of the practice.  Even though there are benefits that go along with outsourcing though there has been a great deal of opposition to the practice, with various reasons sighted.  Most often people tend to think that outsourcers undercut more experienced individuals, but this is hardly always the case.  In fact, some individuals outsource because they do not have staff with the necessary skills to complete certain projects.  In many cases when opponents to the outsourcing industry consider why outsourcing is a growing trend they will be able to realize the necessity of the growing practice.

Growing Need for More Employees but Nowhere to Put Them – One of the biggest reasons companies outsource work is the fact that there is a growing need for more employees, but not necessarily anywhere to put them.  With advancements in technology comes the need for additional employees with skills that other employees may not have.  Businesses have the option of moving their location to one with more space, but this can be costly compared to outsourcing the work to someone outside of the office.  Hiring someone who works from home, or in another office, means being able to keep a business where it is already located.

Excellent Ways for Businesses to Save Money – In addition to not having the space to put additional workers some businesses also enjoy the savings that come with outsourcing some of their work.  When an individual is employed in an office there are a number of costs that go along with it.  Such things as equipment, utilities, health benefits, and paid holidays are all costly obligations for businesses employing workers in an actual office setting.  By outsourcing work these expenses are avoided but the work is still getting done.

Wider Variety of Skills – Finally, with the ever-growing technology in the world, outsourcing gives companies the option of employing a variety of skills.  In some situations a business may only need to utilize a certain skill on a periodic basis.  Outsourcing allows these businesses to do this without having to pay someone full-time.

Although there are individuals who will abuse outsourcing in one way or another, the overall consensus is that businesses, GetACoder buyers, and contractors benefit from the practice.  This will begin to be noticed more and more as the outsourcing industry continues to grow at the pace that it has for the last few years.

Michelle Lynn Schmeer is a student at American Public University, with five months left before she will earn a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.  She has been freelance writing for more than three years and has been writing about a variety of topics, including health supplements, business, communications, and travel, just to name a few.  Michelle lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children.  She enjoys reading, being outdoors, and cooking. Michelle is one of several freelance writers on the GetACoder Blog team.

businesses · buyers · companies · contracting · contractors · employees · employing · freelancers · full time · hiring · outsource · outsourcers · Outsourcing · projects · save money · skills · technology · work · workers

Like any new venture going into freelancing comes with preconceptions that make things much more complicated then they needs to be. What really matters can be learned after weeks or months of trial and error, from experienced freelancers or from resources like this blog. However, to make your time freelancing productive there are more than a few tips which will maximize your earning potential.

One of the most important things required is a good handle on as time and there are a lot of tools out there to help you. One example is the SlimTimer which tracks the jobs you are working on and even comes with a web interface that lets you access it from anywhere. Tick is another application used by freelancers that helps them to budget their time on each project. Then there is Time Assistant which produces professional timesheets to track your productivity.

You also need to have a good eye for record keeping. One of the more popular invoicing programs out there is Billing Orchard, designed for all sorts of freelancers and private contractors including web designers, graphic designers, and writers. Then there is ProfitTrain, a program that is very popular with graphic designers as it is available for the Mac OS X exclusively. Finally there SimplyBill which is simple to use, comes with a free iphone app, and a free plan for the frugal freelancer.

You also need to protect yourself from legal terms. Mynewcompany can provide you with legal information and guide you through the process of building a start-up company. A good option for all of you graphic and web designers out there is Creative Public which offers freelancer contract support, pricing guides and legal resources.

But the most important thing you will need to figure out is your hourly rate, which means making a steadfastdetermination of just how much your time is worth. Even though some clients may not be offering to pay you hourly having an idea of the value of your time will help you to negotiate your rate. Try aiming higher than your general estimation, this will help you avoid cutting into your profits on any job you take.

You should go into every contract armed with a full understanding of what is expected of you and what you need from your client. Part of being a freelancer is being informed and prepared. You can find more tips and tools on GetACoder if you look through the blog and the Ebook for advice.

James Thomas has been a professional blogger for three years and an add writer for two years. He has won several awards for creative and journalistic writing including the equivocality.net Writers Travel Scholarship. He graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in English and will be attending Oxford Brookes University to complete a Masters degree in publishing in th fall of 2011. James is one of several freelance writers on the GetACoder Blog team.

contractors · freelancers · freelancing · hourly rate · legal terms · start-up company · time · tools

The freelance industry is one that is growing quite quickly, and as it grows, so does the number of industries requiring or requesting freelance contractors.  When freelancing first began to become popular writing was the most common form of freelancing seen, but because technology has advanced so much since then there are numerous types of freelance work to choose from.  Computer programming, website design, virtual assistance, voice talent, editing, and of course writing, are all types of work that an ever growing number of industries seek out freelancers for.  Whether a contractor is a freelance writer, website designers, or any other type of freelancer there is work out there, and three industries in particular are looking for freelancers to take some of their workload.

Health – The health industry is one that often utilizes the skills of freelancers, particularly freelance writers, but other freelancers are utilized as well.  Many health-related businesses seek out writers to write articles, website designers to design their websites, and even freelance researchers to find certain information.  And because the health industry is a lucrative one, many of the buyers looking for freelancers are willing to pay a very fair price for work, which makes this one of the highest paying industries for freelancers.

Real Estate – Freelancers are always needed for the real estate industry as well, in this case particularly researchers and writers.  Property research, as well as marketing articles, are two commonly used tools in this industry and not all agents, brokers, and investors have the time, or the skills to conduct this type of work.  Plenty of real estate related businesses are willing to pay freelancers to get the work done that they need done, and compensation can be pretty significant.

Environmental and Green Businesses – The environmental and green industries are growing quickly and in alllikelihood will continue to do so.  This makes it a prime industry to get into for freelancers of all types.  As the world switches more and more to green practices this opens up endless opportunities to freelancers, particularly writers and website designers.  Not only can freelancers make extra cash in this industry but they can feel good about doing it too.

There are plenty of industries that need, or want, freelancers working for them but these three industries in particular can be quite lucrative for freelancers on GetACoder.  Fortunately, these industries are around to stay too so they offer long term employment potential, which many freelancers hope for and never find.

Michelle Lynn Schmeer is a student at American Public University, with five months left before she will earn a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.  She has been freelance writing for more than three years and has been writing about a variety of topics, including health supplements, business, communications, and travel, just to name a few.  Michelle lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children.  She enjoys reading, being outdoors, and cooking. Michelle is one of several freelance writers on the GetACoder Blog team.

businesses · contractors · freelance · freelancers · health · industries · marketing articles · real estate · work

There is no doubt that coaching can be invaluable to every entrepreneur. The most successful business people and athlete today and throughout history have all had coaches and mentors. However these days a good coaching program can run thousands of dollars a month, with some individual seminars costing in excess of $10,000 not including flights and purchasing the products and services pushed at the event. While many of these coaching programs can be valuable and provide a lot of great information, not everyone can afford these outrageous fees. So how can you get a $1 million in coaching for less than $1,000?

The answer – freelancers! Freelance contractors on GetACoder regularly produce much of the content that you are given at these high priced ticket events and in the accompanying courses. By hiring these same outsourced staff yourself you can get access to the same information at a tiny fraction of the cost. Looking for well researched information that you can use to boost your business and improve your lifestyle? Outsource it.

It is also interesting to note that many of the new coaches that have sprouted up in the last few years are still struggling to build up their own income and many are working incredibly long work weeks. If finding better business solutions and enjoying the freedom to work from anywhere in the world on whatever schedule you please is your goal then why not turn to freelancers who are already living the dream life that you seek? They do it on a daily basis!

You may even wish to hire a freelance coach. There are many extremely highly qualified freelance coaches that can tailor a coaching program or service to your personal schedule and budget. Perhaps you already know the principals it takes to achieve success, yet you just need someone to keep you responsible to your goals and keep you focused with a regular meeting once or twice a week.

Perhaps most valuable is that while many coaches and seminars are very motivational, they fail to deliver the tangible techniques and tactics that freelancers can. GetACoder freelancers are wired into current trends and marketing techniques and know what is really working and can provide truly unbiased advice.

However, in the reverse freelancers are smart to seek out projects and business leaders that they can learn from and gain free information from that others are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for.

Tim picked up the travel bug at a young age from his missionary parents. After building several million dollar enterprises he is now a freelancer, business consultant and professional writer who has adventured through much of Europe as well as North and South America. Thanks to outsourcing Tim has now joined the ranks of those living the jet set lifestyle as an international nomad on the constant exploration of new sights, sounds and tastes. Tim is one of several freelance writers on the GetACoder Blog team.

business · coaching · coaching program · contractors · entrepreneur · freelance coach · freelancers · outsource · outsourced · projects

Online outsourcing has made it possible to conduct business across the continents, but it has given rise to a different problem: time zone conflicts. Getting work done in a country half a day ahead of you can lead to missed deadlines, communication blackouts, and a host of other problems, which, if you’re on a tight schedule, can be rather expensive.

The obvious solution is to hire someone from the same time zone, or who’s at least just a couple of hours away. But work is a lot cheaper in developing countries like India and the Philippines. And if you know what to look for, the quality is just as good—and even better—than what you’d find in the First World. The price difference (around 30% to 50% of Western rates) means a lot to start-up businesses. Counting back the hours is a drag, but it’s a small price to pay.

But managing multiple schedules is more complicated than it seems. Think about it: when you assign work on Monday morning, it’s already Monday evening in Manila. That means your contractor won’t be able to get on it until eight to ten hours later, when your work day is over. That’s one day of work down the drain. If you want things done on schedule, you’ll need to think in terms of their schedule.

Start by being clear about your own hours. Many contractors from GetACoder are used to working for clients in different continents, so it’s usually no big deal if you’re twelve hours behind. If you set your deadline for 8pm EST, they can set their schedule accordingly—just tell them a few days ahead so you don’t clash with their other projects. If you need people to work at your hours, consider increasing your pay rate to reflect the unusual hours. It’ll still be cheaper than hiring from a closer time zone.

I’ve seen a few provider firms put several wall clocks in their office, each set to a major client’s time zone. This canalso work for employers hiring from different countries. But the bottom line is that sacrifices have to be made if you want the benefits of offshore outsourcing. It can mean doing some of your work on a Sunday to get to them on time, or doing a conference call at midnight. But with a bit of organization, you can build strong professional relationships with anyone, even on the other side of the world.

June Ruivivar lives in Montreal, Canada, where she works as a freelance writer and editor. She volunteers as an English teacher and speaks French, Spanish, and Italian. Besides writing, she is also interested in physics, astronomy, economics, and photography. She also writes stories for EdemiaWorld.com, a web comic. June is one of several freelance writers on the GetACoder Blog team.

buyers · contractors · employers · hire · hiring · Outsourcing · projects