Example Business Ideas
How to Start an Online Outsourcing Business
Written by Mac Cassity for Gaebler Ventures
Businesses are looking to outsource services more and more every day. By putting yourself in front of them with quality services, you can begin to pull in some of the cashflow these businesses are putting out there online.
In the past, performing specific services for clients was relegated to doing so in a local area.
How to Start an Online Outsourcing Business
When speaking of performing duties for businesses, these services might be in the form of typing reports, answering phone calls, writing press releases, or any of a number of other business related duties. Now, thanks to the power and flexibility of the internet, you can perform these duties for businesses even if they are located on the other side of the globe from you.
When businesses hire others to complete a task or project, it is called outsourcing, and many businesses are outsourcing each and every day. Rather than devote a specific payroll amount to an employee, they simply contract someone to perform these tasks on a limited basis. This provides great opportunity for individuals with skills. If you are looking to provide services in this fashion, here is a quick but thorough checklist to help you get an online outsourcing business up and running.
Define your product/service
There are many tasks that you can perform for businesses, so your first step is to define your strengths and those services you can perform easily utilizing the internet. Once you list the tasks you are willing to perform, research what other services are charging and paying for these services so your prices are competitive in the marketplace.
Locate your market
In order to sell your services, you have to put them in front of prospects. One of the quickest and easiest ways to do this is by using freelance websites. Simply typing FREELANCE WEBSITES into a search engine will produce a plethora of sites that will allow you to both post and bid on jobs for all types of outsourcing services. The more bids you make the greater your chances of landing jobs.
Construct a simple website
While you don't necessarily need anything fancy, having a simple web presence that lists your services, explains them, has pricing info, AND an order/contact form will put you head and shoulders above many people who perform services online. This will help to show others your professionalism and help convince them you are someone whom they might want to deal with. A simple wordpress blog site is fine in most cases.
Set up a paypal account
Paypal is the most accepted online payment site on the web. Simply set up a paypal account and feature a payment button on your website. In addition, if your services require a regular monthly fee, paypal will allow you to create a subscription service as well and will charge your client each and every month.
Stay in front of your market
Don't just assume your clients will come back to you again and again, you need to stay in front of them on a regular basis. Create an email list of all the customers who have inquired about your services or have hired you and send them a monthly or weekly email newsletter that features valuable info they would be interested in. If your services are marketing based, make sure the newsletter contains valuable marketing ideas and tips.
That is really all that is required in order to get an online outsourcing business up and running. There are thousands and thousands of businesses that are looking to hire someone just like you to perform tasks and complete projects. Take a little time, complete the steps above, and start earning additional income by performing quality outsourcing services online.
Mac Cassity is an entrepreneur and business person. Mac began writing professionally when he was twelve years old for a comic book collecting publication. Today, he has experience in insurance agency management and runs his own freelance writing business, Mac the Knife Articles.
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