Top 10 Tasks to Outsource

A primary concern of CEOs is the relationship between the cost of any activity in comparison to it’s benefit to the company. In other words, “does it pay?” Overall, outsourcing is a great tool for saving both money and time, but certain tasks perform exceptionally well in a cost-benefit analysis. The following list describes some of the most cost-effective tasks to outsource.

1) Website Design

Creating a professional website can be cost and skill-prohibitive for many small businesses. However, you don’t need to be a graphic designer or have a lot of money to create a website that looks modern and is user-friendly. Outsourcing this task can get you high quality, fast results at 1/5 the cost of in-house designer or hired agency.

2) Search Engine Optimization

Search engine optimization (SEO) specialists can help your business gain more prominence online. Writing cost-effective ads, getting banners on the right websites and managing pay-per-click programs can be a waste of time and money if you don’t know what you are doing. A expert freelancer can do all this for you effectively and in half the time, plus he or she will keep you updated on the latest SEO trends.

3) Web Content

Great web content attracts visitors to your site and holds their attention. While it may seem more cost-effective to write content yourself, hiring a freelancer to help you with content is a much better investment. In order for content to be effective, it needs to be SEO-friendly and consistent. Most CEOs and knowledge workers cannot spare the kind of time this requires. The work produced by a content specialist will draw visitors to your site and reduce advertising costs in the long-term.

4) Brochure Design

Creating a beautiful brochure is necessary for educating potential customers about your services. Studies have found that people spend only six to ten seconds looking at a brochure before they decide to set it aside. With the help of a professional designer, you can capture your readers attention and ensure your message is understood quickly. Outsourcing this task will also help keep the project within budget.

5) Copywriting

Outsourcing the copywriting needs of your company is a smart financial choice. When you communicate with your customers, the effectiveness of the message is key. There are so many materials that require good copywriting: brochures, posters, event announcements, newsletters, product advertisements, etc. If the copy is written without consideration for the psychology of your audience, these materials could be a complete waste of money. In order to get the most out of your advertising budget, consider hiring a freelance copywriter who can get you fast, quality results at a low-cost.

6) Translation

In a globalized economy, translation is a necessity. There is a common assumption that translation is costly. However, with the right outsourcing company translation can be quick and low-cost. Outsourcing is uniquely suited for this task, because through the Internet, you can find effective translators for any language.

7) Illustrations

Illustrations not only enhance your marketing materials, they can also serve as excellent stand-alone content. Infographics have become a popular tool for sharing information. In just a few seconds, you can communicate a complex idea and provide value to your customers. There are talented digital illustrators and graphic designers around the world who can provide great work within your budget.

8) Document Formatting

If you send out letters and proposals daily, the time spent formatting documents can quickly add up. Next time you start creating a proposal from scratch, stop what you are doing and hire a freelancer to create a customized template. This task pays for itself in no time, because now you only have to fill in the appropriate information each time. Consider having a freelancer create templates for faxes, customer responses, invoices, and contracts.

9) Data Entry

When you have a large amount of data that needs to be entered into a spreadsheet, your first instinct might be to pull an employee away from their regular duties to complete this task. However, someone might not be available and if they are, they might not be very fast at typing. Hiring a freelancer is a smart move in this case, because the freelancer will perform the task faster and for less than a company employee.

10) Presentations

Impressive presentations can be the difference between a lost opportunity and a new client. While you may be an expert in the subject you are presenting on, if your visuals are sub-par, your presentation could still fall flat. A freelancer specialized in presentation software such as PowerPoint and Prezi will ensure your ideas are engaging and understood. The turnaround time for an outsourced visual presentation is incredibly fast, and as a result, much less expensive than if you tackled the project yourself.