Prepare to learn tips, strategies, techniques and systems that can assist you in fully harnessing and profiting from properly out-tasking in your business.

As you noticed, this is Part One in a series of articles focusing on the art of out-tasking. In each part of the series you will learn actionable tips and strategies that you can begin implementing and benefiting from immediately. First, let me share with you the distinctions between outsourcing and out-tasking.

Outsourcing vs. Out-tasking

Outsourcing is more of a long-term relationship you have with a company who performs tasks over and over again. This includes services like payroll, fulfillment, customer service, coaching, telemarketing and accounting.

Out-tasking is when you are able to locate experts for a project or task that is more short or medium term. It is used to perform tasks you can do, but would cost you more of your time than having them done by a third-party professional.

In most cases, out-tasking will give you a better quality, faster and cleaner result than doing it yourself. Some jobs commonly out-tasked are web design, software creation, graphics, copywriting, transcription services, audio and video editing, script installation, PowerPoint presentations, Camtasia tutorials, keyword or market research, data entry and more.

Both outsourcing and out-tasking are great ways to free up your time to focus on your strengths and revenue-producing activities.

How to Post Jobs
Today you will learn a couple tips on how to properly post jobs on resource sites such as elance.com and guru.com to find quality people whose expertise can assist you in growing your online business and results.

Clarity in your job description is vital. The clearer the directions and guidance in your job post, the better your chances of getting what you envisioned. Here’s a big catch, though: many of the experts who reply to your job do so with an automated response they send to every job they want to win. That means they most likely have not even read your post at all; they just want your business.

To ensure the bidders who want to earn your business have read your post, we suggest you have a sentence somewhere in the middle of your post. The sentence should have a code word instructing them to reply with the code word to be considered – something along the lines of: “To be considered for this job, your reply must contain the word ‘Shazam!’” (or whatever code word you choose).

Also, you will want to include the following line in your post to attract the level of expertise your project requires and to keep the price as reasonable as possible: “This is an easy job for the right person.”

Now that you have some knowledge on how to post your job, here is your assignment:

1) Grab a pad of paper and a pen and begin writing down all the activities that you currently do, but feel you could get an expert to do better, and in less time.

2) Visit www.elance.com and create a free account if you don’t have one yet, or log in if you already have an account. Click on the Find Professionals tab in the upper right hand corner. Begin browsing categories similar to the tasks you listed on your pad of paper. This will give you an idea as to what is out there waiting for you.

3) Choose your number one task that you should and can out-task. Go to My Elance, click on the Post Your Project button at the top right, then fill out the details of your project. Keep in mind, you are NOT required to even hire anyone if you don’t feel ready, but posting your first project is key.

Stay tuned for the next part in this series as we go even deeper in out-tasking. You’ll get more step-by-step guidance and learn how to properly work with out-taskers.

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By Tom Beal
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This article first appeared in the September 2008 issue of the MarketingDotCom newsletter. You can get a free copy of the latest issue for the price of shipping at http://the7figuresecrets.com

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