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Global_Economy_and_Small_Business
| Global Economy and Small Business
The global economy, if used properly, can benefit many small
businesses by providing a worldwide marketplace for their goods
or services, and it can also be a resource for buying cheaper
goods and services. Most companies focus the benefits of the
internet on acquiring new customers and cheaper goods, but not
services. Small businesses still look locally for graphic
designers, media kits, marketing consultants, printing services,
programmers, and all sorts of services that can be found through
the internet with less cost and time and more control over the
output.
The internet is a great resource for services of all kinds. You
can find graphic designers, programmers, administrative
assistance, marketing consultants, etc. There are people
skeptical of having a graphic designer or programmer do a job
for them without speaking or meeting them directly. I have
actually found that business is quicker and more efficient
without face to face and phone conversations. Email and instant
messaging are very effective forms of communications that create
2 benefits on the outsourcing world.
First, in a meeting or conversation a lot of energy is spent
with introductions and formalities. In an IM conversation most
of the pleasantries are skipped and it is a very concise
conversation. Directly to the point.
The second benefit is clear project descriptions. When you
outsource through the internet you are forced to describe
exactly what you want. This forces you to thoroughly evaluate
what you want and write it down in detail. This inevitably spurs
decisions on many smaller details that are often brushed over in
face to face business meetings. At first people see this as a
hard task, but in reality it is very easy. I will show some
examples later. Also, if you cannot describe it in an email are
you sure that you know what you want?
The also prevents miscommunications. In face to face and phone
conversations we talk through ideas and options. A lot of times
each party is left with a different impression of exactly what
is wanted. Then when there is a difference in expectations there
is no written record of what was discussed. By describing it in
detail in an email there is no miscommunication on what is being
requested or promised.
The next response is how do I describe to a graphic artist what
kind of a website design I want or marketing consultant what
kind of Media kit I want? This is a lot easier then you think.
Start with a high level description of the project and work your
way down to the details. Include statements around color themes
and overall impressions. Saying “I want a brochure that has a
professional business look with a jazzy style and sunset
colors”, gives a graphic artist a lot to work with and allows
you to succinctly describe overall what you want.
Next, work your way down the requirements. We need these bullets
and prices; we want this description or photos used, etc. You
will be impressed at how well a contractor can take a 5-6 line
description and turn it into what you want.
The next 2 questions people have are how do I find people and
how do I know who is good? Let’s start with where to find
resources. There are to main sources for resources besides word
or mouth, which is usually the best resource possible if
available. Otherwise, there are forum boards and freelancing
websites. There are 1000’s of Forum boards on the internet
concerning every topic you can image. If you find a large
popular forum for the service you need you will find a group of
workers waiting to fulfill your request. You can usually post
your project or ask for help. Sometimes these communities are
filled with ametuers and you should use some scrutiny in
selecting someone. Another popular way to use forums is to
create a Contest. Post the project as a contest and set a
winning price. People will compete for your project. You will
get multiple designs to choose from and can set the price you
want to pay. I recently ran a contest for a professional Media
Kit for an advertising campaign. We posted the project on one of
our favorite forum boards for $200 and received 11 designs to
choose from. We liked several but not one the best. We took the
best of each and had the closest entry modify theirs
accordingly. We received exactly what we wanted, for the price
we wanted, and we had 11 designs to choose from. From writing-up
the project description, to posting the contest, and reviewing
the entries, I spent 2 hours on this effort. About the same time
as the average business meeting including driving; Pretty
efficient.
We did the same the other day for a website project for a
Pastor. The effort took me 2 hours total and we received 15
designs to choose from. It was also impressive to our client,
when we show up with 15 custom designs to allow him to choose
between. I bid this same job locally for reference and receive 5
quotes between $1500-$4000. No upfront designs and an hour spent
on the phone just getting the price quotes. We ran the above
contest for $200. The power of the internet and outsourcing this
way is that it gives you the power. You define the project, the
price, when you review the designs, etc. No meetings, no phone
calls, and no trying to figure out which company is best. In
today’s busy world just having the power to do the whole project
on your terms and timing can be very valuable.
Another popular way to keep projects resourced is through
freelance websites. Elance.com is the major one, but there are a
lot of others and some are specialized in certain areas. If you
browse through Elance you will see projects all of different
categories. Usually, when we bid a project on Elance we receive
over 15 bids. In this method you pick a contractor based on
their bid and reputation. You can read reviews of them, and view
samples their work. The projects we have run through elance were
very easy. We posted the last project and reviewed/selected a
contractor within 1 business day and an hour work. The project
was finished to complete satisfaction within 3 days.
I find, in general, that I can complete a project through the
internet with the same labor effort it usually takes to call
around for quotes. I can also set my price. I determine upfront
what it is worth to me and what the budget is. In some
industries, if you price a job locally the prices all seem to be
very similar. Sometimes competitors in an industry(especially
one in need) set their price based on their competitors prices
instead of the actual costs plus a percentage of profit. They
are inflating their prices because of a tightness in supply
instead of increased overhead costs. By bidding a project on the
internet you set the price based on what you think is
reasonable.
About the author:
About the Author: Rodney Ringler is President of Advantage1 Web
Services, Inc., which owns a network of Web Hosting
Informational Websites including HostChart.com,
ResellerConnection.com, FoundHost.com, ResellerForums.com, and
HostingKnowledge.net. Rodney has over 15 years industry
experience from programming to internet marketing.
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