As a freelancer, are you a little uncertain about the idea of outsourcing your work?
Freelance rates can be competitive and bringing someone else on board means cutting into your profits, right?
Not necessarily. In many ways, it can actually help grow your business.
Let’s face it, no matter how amazing you are, you can’t possibly be an expert in everything.
Nor would you want to be. If your passion is creative writing, you probably don’t get too excited about bookkeeping. So, why not let someone else do the bookkeeping while you focus on what you really enjoy?
Yes, there is a cost to outsourcing this task, but think about how much more writing you can get done if you aren’t spending so much time balancing ledgers and preparing tax forms.
Of course, you may also need to subcontract because your freelance business is so busy that you can’t do it all – at least not by yourself. That’s a good thing! It means you’re successful.
You’ve likely heard the saying, “You have to spend money to make money”, and sometimes your business reaches a point (whether from lack of time or lack of skill/knowledge in a certain area) that you have to look outside yourself for a little bit of help.
You could hire a company with full-time employees, but you will probably be charged too much. Or, you could contract a freelance worker. Freelancers subcontract each other all the time. They understand how these things work.
You may be hesitant to outsource, but there are many reasons why you should consider it. And, don’t forget, if no one outsourced, you wouldn’t have a job. So really, you will just be doing your part in keeping the freelance world turning.
Here are some of the top benefits to subcontracting.
1. You Can Focus On What You Love.
By hiring someone to take care of the details that you don’t have the skills or desire to handle, you free yourself up to focus on the heart of your freelance work.
For example, a freelance photographer may outsource editing projects so they have extra time to do what they really enjoy – more photo sessions. If paying someone to do basic editing means they can take on more clients, then ultimately, profits should increase.
2. You Can Increase Your Knowledge and Skill.
Just because you aren’t an expert in everything doesn’t mean you can’t learn something new.
Sometimes, watching someone else do a particular task can help develop your skills. Eventually, there may be areas of your job that you no longer have to outsource because you have gained the ability to do them yourself.
3. You Can Benefit From Expertise.
There may be certain parts of your job that you don’t excel at. Yes, you can do them, but not exceptionally well. It’s not your specialty.
But, there are people who specialize in certain areas, and by hiring their expertise, you add a level of quality to your work.
An artist can purchase the supplies and frame their own paintings, but someone who specializes in professional framing is able to enhance the piece, accentuate the best features, and increase the selling value significantly.
4. You Can Save Money.
Outsourcing is actually one of the best ways to reduce your costs. If you aren’t very good at something, but you try to do it anyway, you will likely waste a lot of valuable time.
And, maybe even make some costly mistakes along the way. If you hire someone who knows what they are doing, they will get the job done right, and in less time.
In most cases, it is less expensive to subcontract a freelancer rather than use a company with employees. Businesses have to consider employee benefits, full-time salaries, employment taxes, and overhead expenses, so their rates will typically be much higher.
A freelancer will usually do the job for less money, especially if they are hired as a third party and don’t have to negotiate or communicate with the client directly.
5. You Can Save Time.
As already mentioned, there are some things that just aren’t worth trying to do yourself. It will take longer, it won’t be done as well, and it will keep you away from what you do best.
6. You Can Meet Temporary Needs.
As a freelancer, your work load may fluctuate, depending on the type of work you do. One of the benefits of outsourcing is that you only hire extra help when you need it.
During a busy season, you may not have enough time to keep up with all the work, so you can use a subcontractor until your schedule becomes more manageable. When things slow down, you no longer have to pay an extra person.
7. You Can Increase Your Client Base.
Sometimes it can be beneficial to outsource work that allows you to offer clients a broader range of services.
For example, a wedding photographer may offer a package that includes both photos and a video. They would have to subcontract the videographer, but by making this option available, they may attract a wider range of clients.
8. You Can Add Experience.
If you are new to freelancing, your portfolio may limit your client base. By outsourcing an additional freelancer, you strengthen your portfolio and widen your customer market.
It’s a great way to gain the experience you need and build a reputation that will allow you to eventually gain clients on your own merit.
9. You Can Improve Quality.
If you use someone who specializes in a particular field (rather than trying to do it yourself) it will improve the quality of your finished product.
Again, a freelance photographer may hire a professional decorator to design their sets or use a professional writer to create content for their website.
Not only do these things improve their overall image, but they also allow them to put out a better product.
10. You Can Increases Productivity.
By outsourcing certain jobs, everything runs more efficiently.
A writer can create more content if they subcontract someone to do the research.
Work will get done more quickly, clients will be happy with the speed of service, and the number of repeat customers will increase.
By outsourcing jobs that you find difficult or time consuming, you will be able to improve efficiency and increase productivity.
11. You Are Still In Control.
Many freelancing platforms such as Elance and Freelance allow you to rate the subcontractors performance and will hold payment until you confirm that you are happy with the services received.
If the work isn’t done according to your specifications, they won’t get paid. After all, it’s your reputation on the line, so you want to make sure that the quality of product meets your standards as well as the standards your clients have come to expect.
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Disclaimer
The advice provided on this website is general information only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is general advice for freelancers about the questions they should ask a professional advisor. Before acting on this education material for freelancers you should consider the appropriateness of the material, having regard to your own objectives, and seek detailed personal advice from an appropriate professional.
