Having been managing a number of freelancers over the years I have slowly learned and adapted my own techniques for maximizing the chances of a project going without a hitch and I'd like to give you those tips now to make your outsourcing far more effective and reliable.

Clear Instructions

The first mistake that many small business owners make is that their instructions aren't clear. When you tell your freelancer what work needs doing, the details need ot be completely idiot-proof. I am not saying freelancers are idiots - far from it infact - but what I mean si that your instructions need ot be so clear that your freelancer can be certain of exactly how to satisfy you.

Lets take the example of someone writing an ebook for you. The worst outsourcers will simply say "I need an ebook about dog training". The best, and most successful outsourcers, will know exactly what they want in detail. They will have a break down of the chapters. They will have an ideal number of words or pages for the finished guide. They will know if they want pictures, and if so how many. And so on.

This makes it far easier for a freelancer to know exactly what you want - and therefore greatly increases the chances of you getting it! It makes both your lives easier and can serve as the yardstick for when the project ends.

You can't complain that your ebook is too long if you never told them how many pages you wanted. But if you ask for at least 60 pages and they produce 70, you know they've done more than you asked for and deserve a pat on the back.

Samples Of Work

Further to this, it can be smart to find samples of work that you like and use these as examples for your own project. For example, consider writing styles, layout, design and so on so that your freelancer can further gain an understanding of what you are expecting.

Clear Timing

Before you begin a project, lay out a schedule of work. Don't just say that you need the ebook within a week because this is not specific enough. What if they send you the ebook on Friday and it needs some changes done? You won't then have the finished item in time.

Remember that time-keeping is as much your responsibility as theirs but try to break down a project into individual steps and set time limits for each one so maybe you have 2 days of planning, then you expect a chapter written per week, with a week for any minor rewrites at the end.

With article writing, I like to get a freelancer to send over the first 2 or 3 as soon as they are written so I can offer any constructive feedback and we can both be certain that the work is up to par. Far worse is to let a freelancer write dozens of articles and then tell them none of them are good enough!

Regular Contact

Lastly stay in regular contact with your freelancer. Ask for regular updates to make sure they are making progress and haven't forgotten about you. Make it clear that this contact is necessary and if someone doesn't respond to you more than once or twice, drop them and find another freelancer. If I have been guilty of anything when outsourcing it has been ignoring my gut instinct, being too generous with people who aren't performing and regretting it later.