14 Resources for Hiring Freelancers and Outsourcing Business Tasks

One of the best ways to grow your business is to hire people to help free up your time so that you can focus on what you do best. While you may think you can’t afford to hire help, consider how outsourcing certain tasks can actually help you make money.

For example, if you can hire someone for $20 per hour to do administrative tasks or bookkeeping or house cleaning, and you can go out and earn $50 or more per hour gained, then you will come out ahead.

This is an important lesson for entrepreneurs. We all have many responsibilities and tasks to get accomplished each day. But when you let go of some of those tasks, you create more time to grow your business.

Here are some sources for hiring freelancers and contractors to give you more time to be profitable!

1. Interns – Guess what? Students work for free! They want to learn and gain experience and you can create a mutually beneficial situation by teaching someone what you do while they help manage tasks. Contact your local colleges to inquire about placing an ad for an intern. There will be some paperwork involved, but this can be a great solution that can also lead to a potential employee for your business.

2. IVAA – The International Virtual Assistants Association offers a member directory, plus an option to post a Request for Proposal (RFP).

3. AssistU – A training program for virtual assistances, here you can find assistance who have been through certification programs.

4. Elance – The largest network for finding all kinds of freelance professionals in many countries. Options include web designers, copywriters, graphic designers, administrative professionals, and much more.

5. Guru – Similar to Elance, find freelance professionals here.

6. Rent a Coder – If you need computer programming or software development, you’ll find lots of options here.

7. Craigslist – If you prefer to work with someone local, you can always advertise job opportunities with Craigslist—even for contractor positions.

8. 99 Designs – This is a fun way to find a graphic designer. It’s done by conducting a contest and allowing designers to contribute their concepts. Find one you like and you can award the fee you designate to the winning designer.

9. Freelancer – Similar to Elance and Guru.

10. Freelance Switch – Similar to Elance and Guru.

11. People Per Hour – Similar to Elance and Guru.

12. Odesk – Similar to Elance and Guru, though one of the larger networks.

13. Coroflot – Primarily a source for creative professionals and graphic designers.

14. Fiver – This fun service lists people and the tasks they are willing to complete for $5. If you need something quick and easy, this could be the way to go!

Stephanie Chandler is the author of LEAP! 101 Ways to Grow Your Business.
She is also CEO of http://AuthorityPublishing.com, a custom publisher of
nonfiction books, and http://BusinessInfoGuide.com, a directory of resources
for entrepreneurs. Also visit http://StephanieChandler.com

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