If you are anything like me, you probably have a list of tasks, errands, and time consu.jpg)
ming projects that you’ve procrastinated on or just don’t have the time to complete. You’ve also probably planned on setting aside some time to call and follow up with your clients, check in with vendors, organize your emails and calendar, send gifts, order flowers, schedule a dentist appointment, or perhaps update your marketing lists or do you some extra work on your CSM (customer service management.) Who better than a personal assistant to take over all this busy work? Think you can’t afford one? Well, keep reading to find out how you can get all this done for the cost of a cable TV bill or gym membership. Having a personal assistant is no longer a perk for the rich and famous.
I am a firm believer in the old attaché, “work smarter, not harder. ” If you are overwhelmed with miniscule tasks, then you are not reaching full potential in your business. Hiring a good personal assistant is usually too expensive to make sense for small business owners. However, in this world of “online everything” why not have an online personal assistant at about 2 dollars a day or $8 per hour depending on your service level. Popular sites are www.asksunday.com or www.redbutler.com. AskSunday.com is able to provide this service inexpensively by setting up a call center abroad that operates 24/7 to handle client needs fast and cheap.
The common services requested via these sites include: Data Entry, Internet Research, Outbound calling, Continuous processes, Document Editing, Uploading content onto websites, Managing online postings, Coordinating and booking travel plans, Visually documenting processes, Email correspondence, Miscellaneous – get creative!
You can also use the internet to outsource almost anything and save money doing so. At www.Guru.com, you can hire a woman who has 10 years of experience as an accounting and auditing assistant to prepare your taxes for just $8 an hour. At a traditional accounting firm, a similar service can set you back between $150 and $400 for the entire project. (Be sure to complete a non disclosure agreement to protect your financial information.)
If you want some creative work done and do not want to spend hours learning how to use Photoshop, try www.Crowdspring.com , www.Elance.com, and www.Guru.com. These are good sites to find a freelance designer for things like invitations, photo projects or any other graphics work. Posting a project is free. Once you pick a designer and negotiate a price, you are required to prepay the agreed-upon amount into an escrow account to protect credit card information and keep up professionalism. You can compare reviews and ask bidders to submit portfolios or even sample projects based on your request.
Believe it or not, people have even used this service to break up with a boyfriend/girlfriend or call their mom on mother’s day! I recommend you take care of such matters yourself; no one should be THAT busy. The best part about all of this is that you can be that ‘Superwoman,’ handle it all with ease, and still have time for a guilt-free spa day.
For more info: Contact
zzeitouni@gmail.com or call 213-926-7677. (photo from mythbustersbeauty.com)
Comments
I like this article, found the outsourcing info very useful.
Another site that has workers available for as low as $4/hour is www.RentACoder.com (and despite the name not only has programmers, but tens of thousands of writers, designers and other workers to choose from).
Thanks for the crowdSPRING plug! Like you said, we are a great resource for small businesses looking to effectively brand their company while keeping costs low.
Crowdspring def. rocks. Working for a non-profit and being SuperWomen, I have to go for quality and cost effective.
hmm, what I really need is someone to go to the gym for me and lose the extra 5lbs I've been meaning to lose before Summer
Nice information...
I like this post...
Regards,
accounting outsourcing services
I use GetFriday.com, they're quite useful...
Nice article. I have been outsourcing work-related tasks for a while now for my business but I can't believe the things you can outsource these days. Just last week I read a TechCrunch article about VirtualDatingAssistants.com, a company that lets you outsource your online dating. Unbelievable...
I think we should now move away from this word - outsourcing. It is now a way of life on the web - it provides jobs for freelancers wherever they are on the globe and good, cost effective services for small businesses. A nice review of sites like Guru, elance etc is at how2freelance dot com
Hi, this is Jeff D Marsh with Yantram - Website Development Company, Website designing Company, Website Design and Maintenance, Website Creation Services, Online Web Development, Website Maintenance Services, Web Maintenance Services,Web Design Company, WebSite Design Firm, Website Design Services, Web Development Company, Website Maintenance Company.To have better idea about the same just click on the link given hereby at Virtual Assistant Services.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!