I talked earlier about how outsourcing tasks to places like “GetAFreeLancer” and “ELance” was a benefit to your business. I’ve since come to realize that, while it has it’s place, it’s not really the best solution. In fact, it might even be detrimental to your business. Especially if you’re pursuing the goal of the four hour workweek.
Why is that?
It’s time consuming. You have to list the project. Then you have to take the time to describe the project explicitly or take the chance of it being done wrong…even then the chances are good it won’t be done to your expectations. You have to peruse all the bids and then hope you choose the right person for the job. You’ve spent hours just reaching this point….and now you have to wait for the project to be finished.
The bidders main interest, more times then not, is completing the project as fast as they can so they can be paid. Quality control is not really in their vocabulary.
They are expensive…yes, I stated earlier that it’s a cheap form of getting work done but I’ll be showing you a better, cheaper way shortly.
Any effort you may have put into teaching them aspects of your business is lost as soon as the project is finished. You’ll have to repeat it all over again should you ever do something similar in the future.
If the project’s not done to your expectations you can start the process all over again…and lose all those precious hours once more.
Hardly the way to achieve the four hour workweek.
What if I could show you a cheaper more effective way?
What if you could hire someone full time for what it would cost you for one project through “GetAFreeLancer”? Someone far more suited to the task at hand.
Let me introduce you to Replace Myself…a membership site that has sent me on to the next level in my marketing. There’s two main elements to it. Hiring full-time outsourced workers and providing training for these workers. There is a wide selection of workers available complete with the skills you’re looking for but the training provides for a more well rounded employee and can enhance the skills they already possess. The training modules cover a whole gamut of skills from Adwords, Video Marketing, WordPress, SEO and more. There’s eleven modules advertised but I received fifteen. Three were tagged as bonuses so it would seem there’s one that’s not mentioned in the sales page. In any case, by the time your employee completes all of the modules there’s not much that they won’t have at least a basic knowledge of…and it’s done with minimal involvement on your part.
Is that not the key to a four hour workweek?
The employees available through Replace Myself are all from the Philippines and that’s a major advantage. They are all schooled in English. They are hard workers and very loyal. They all have college educations…it’s part of their culture.
And they can be hired for as little as $100 per month although the average is closer to $200 per month.
For a full time employee capable of doing most any task you need done.
That will free you up to work on the important stuff.
Like product creation…or golfing.
There’s been two major turning points in my Internet Marketing business.
Getting Alex Jeffreys for a mentor…he taught me the basics and so much more, got me motivated and continues to do so…and joining Replace Myself. Doing so is going to take me to the next level and beyond.
CLICK HERE NOW to view a video that will start you on your way to the next level in your business…and to the four hour workweek.
The bonus videos available in the Quick Start package are worth thousands of dollars on their own…they totally blew me away.
If you have any questions about Replace Myself…mention them in the comments or email me through the contact page. If I can’t answer it, I’ll pass it on to the owners…they are very, very quick with their replies.
I truly believe that Replace Myself is a valuable resource and it would be greatly appreciated if you would “Sphinn” this article to help let others know of it.
There’s been some questions on the procedure in choosing and hiring people so I made a video that hopefully covers it. As you can probably tell videos aren’t my forte.
This is a good idea for people that are entirely too busy for their own good, but for me, a couple of moral questions are raised.
1. If you pay someone a fraction of what you would normally pay, or what you would want to receive yourself, aren’t you taking advantage of them?
2. Wouldn’t it be hypocritical for someone that is anti-immigration/anti-offshoring to hire a foreigner to do a job that one of their own countrymen could do?
Of course, that’s the idealistic side of me talking…I someday would like to be swimming in so much money that I can afford to hire someone else to make sure the cash keeps flowing
Tamahome Jenkins´s last blog ..Why is Something Rotten in Denmark?
That’s a fair question, Tamahone.
The wages paid are in line for their economy…so you’re not taking advantage of anyone.
Yes, it would be hypocritical for someone who’s anti-immigrants/anti-offshoring to use this…but I find that a lot of people are “antis” only so long as it doesn’t inconvenience them.
As for being able to afford to hire someone…consider what you feel you’re worth an hour. Then look at how much time you waste doing menial tasks that an employee could be doing for you.
You might find you can’t afford NOT to hire someone.
Cheers,
Rod
Outsourcing can only be effective if done in a correct way, as you have stated above. And I like your complement about the Philippine workers because I happen to be a Filipino.
This is really interesting. I’ve read Tim Ferriss’ book, and it seems awesome to outsource so much work.
So far, I have only been outsourcing jobs that I suck at (like design)
- jens -
Jens P. Berget´s last blog ..How To Track Your Tweets Using a Calendar
Hi Jens,
It is awesome.
Take your design work for an example. I’ve never had that done but I’m guessing it costs in the hundreds to have decent work done…enough to hire an employee full time for a month.
Now, you’re most likely thinking that you don’t have enough design work to keep this person busy for a month. Well, you have this shiny new site they just designed so have them start getting traffic to it. If that’s not their forte there’s modules on link building and SEO.
Then have them build a mini-net of sites for you. There’s a module on that also.
or
How many eBooks do you have that you bought with full intentions of using but never did? Find the best of the bunch…send it to your employee…have them implement it…and send you a daily report on their progress.
These folks are smart…they don’t need to be babysat.
The possibilities are endless.
Even just watching the bonus seminars will give you ideas. You could implement them yourself and still have super value for the cost of the membership.
But why do it yourself?
Cheers,
Rod
Hi Rod
looks like you are happy with replace myself .
In the Alex Jeffries forum you have always given wise advise on threads and seem to be pretty much clued up ,
I have just listened to Johns audio , and with Alexes course sort of coming to an end, John’s offer is very temping ,I feel with the knowlege I have gained from the course
Johns Replace myself might work for me.
Ive already jumped into deep waters with some of the make money fast schemes offered by gurus and was lucky to get my money back.
,
I’m going have a think about it over the weekend and ,make a decision on monday whether to join.
thanks for the insight Rod.
cheers mick
Thanks for the kind words, Mick
I’m not only happy with it…I’m actually excited.
Alex has been talking about roadblocks, my biggest one is losing focus due to so many things to do. Now, with my employee I just have her do the needed tasks that, due to other things, I have a hard time focusing on. They are also largely mundane, rinse and repeat type, ones better suited for an employee.
I now find myself looking more at projects and to the future instead of a long list of tasks that need doing.
Replace Myself is certainly not a get rich scheme. It’s entirely up to the individual how successful it will be for them but it provides lots of tools to help make it easier to succeed.
Should you decide to proceed with it Mick, there’s three packages available.
The lifetime is a larger one time investment but the best overall with considerable savings over the long run. However, another big consideration is the instant access to all of the training modules for your employee. Having them all available helps open all the different paths to you while still having it largely on auto pilot.
At the very least though, I’d get the second as it includes the seminars which are well worth watching.
Cheers,
Rod
Hi Rod, I’ve been successfully using replace myself and I’ve hired a writer for some tasks I need to do. I would recommend that site to anyone.
Hey Rod,
I saw a post from Alex in the forum about this a few days ago, but have not yet looked into it.
How long have you been using this method for? It certainly sounds interesting
I will take a look into it further I think!
I just spotted your post in the forum about the threaded replies but saw Paul Lear already answered it for you
Talk soon,
Paul
Paul Wilson´s last blog ..My Press Release is Live…!
Hi Rod,
I’m so glad you posted about this subject. While outsourcing is obviously helpful in getting to the next level I have been dragging my feet with it.
In the first part of your post you have confirmed my view that outsourcing piece by piece would likely take more time and energy than doing the work myself.
Another catch twenty two for me is that I’m convinced that I need to be able to do enough myself to understand what to ask from those I’d outsource the work to.
Otherwise any quality control would be out of question.
I’m glad that you are doing the pioneering research work and sharing it on your blog.
And I’m happy that you are excited about finding a solution that is working for you.
I have many questions as to how it actually works though. How is the worker paid and how can you make sure of that. Is it a contract work and are you responsible for any benefits?
How do you decide whom to hire or is that done for you? Is there any period to which both parties are bound?
What is the cost of the membership?
When I have those questions answered I will seriously consider using the service.
Vance
Vance Sova´s last blog ..Why Should Your Life Story Matter? Show Up To Harm Or Help ?
Hey Rod,
Really good points about the traditional online outsourcing sites.
It can be extremely time consumming and actually defeat the whole point of the exercise.
Your solution sounds an excellent idea. How do you find the right person? Presumably, you ask for particular skills, like article writing etc?
Food for thought – thanks Rod. I sphinned it!
Andrew.
Andrew Vaughan´s last blog ..Is Your Strategy Online, Right for Online Marketing Success?
Hi Vance,
Thanks for the great questions.
How is the worker paid and how can you make sure of that. Is it a contract work and are you responsible for any benefits?
I use a service called Xoom that’s a wire transfer service. It’s contract work and you are not responsible for benefits with one exception. In the Philippines workers get paid a 13th month after every years employment. I suppose one could ignore that but I feel it’s only right that one observes it.
How do you decide whom to hire or is that done for you? Is there any period to which both parties are bound?
I’m going to do a quick video on how one chooses an employee as it’s rather hard to explain here. Neither party is bound to any period but, as mentioned, these folks are very loyal and it’s very likely that they will be with you as long as you want. Therefor, it’s well worth any time and effort you put into training them.
What is the cost of the membership?
There are three plans:
Monthly at $97/mth. You have full access to two sites that provide access to those folks from the Philippines looking for work plus one training module for your employee. There’s 11 modules available.
Plan two is $297. It provides access to 5 modules (at $97 each a $485 value) and 30 hours of seminars.
Plan three is the lifetime membership at $697. You get all 11 modules ($1,067 value), the 30 hours of seminars, lifetime access, The WordPress Project by Keith Baxter (this in itself could earn you a nice income) and The Top 7 ROI Activities Your Employee Can Do.
It also provides lifetime access to the job banks which you’d have to continue paying the $97/mth should you choose one of the others.
You may have heard of top internet marketers remarking that they go to these $5,000 seminars because if they can can pick up just one nugget it’s worth it?
For those just starting out, or at an intermediate level, the seminars are a gold mine. My personal view is that they alone are worth the $697.
Hi Andrew,
Thanks to you also for the great questions and the Sphinn. I’ll address them also in the video.
Cheers,
Rod
Rod
Great post and a really useful resource.
I heard that John spoke at the Speed Cash Seminar a couple of weeks ago and was very impressive especially with the resources he was able to provide for getting cheap quality outsourced workers.
I will definately be taking a look at the program, and totally agree that the lifetime option makes sense as an business investment.
Look forward to hearing more about your results.
Cheers
Tom
Hi Rod -
This looks great although I have to admit I am skeptical. Do you think it would be possible to post a “1-month” review after you have started with this? I think that would be immensely helpful and I would feel much better about using this resource if a fellow MWA2.0 vouched for it. Thanks!
Paul
Paul Norwine´s last blog ..Effective Note Taking
Hi Paul,
That’s a good idea.
My experience so far has been real good. My employee is working out fine and I’m quite happy with her. It is, however, just like hiring anyone…outsourced or local…they don’t always work out.
Replace Myself provides great tools and resources so it’s pretty much up to the individual after that.
I will do an update in a month though.
Cheers,
Rod
Hi Rod,
Thanks for answering the questions so well.
I look forward to the video you mentioned. Then everything will be abundantly clear.
One more question: the $697 option is it a one time payment without any monthly
fees to follow after that or does the $97 per month still apply?
Vance
Vance Sova´s last blog ..Why Should Your Life Story Matter? Show Up To Harm Or Help ?
Hi Vance,
You’re welcome!
It’s a one time payment of $697. There are no more fees after that and you get immediate access to all of the training modules plus all of the bonuses.
Cheers,
Rod
Hi Rod,
Thanks for the tip. I did have problems with eLance a while ago and havent used it since. Had some graphics done and they where awful.
Previously I had my eBay store temp[late done and that was good though.
Anyway once I’ve got my income up I may try this site. At the moment I do have staff in the mail order company that can do soem work, like joining giveaways so will manage for the time being,
Thanks
Keith
Keith Purkiss (Alex Jeffreys Student)´s last blog ..Challenge from an Alex Jeffrey’s Student
Hi Rod,
So you are saying with the full pack you do not pay the monthly 97 $ every month for whatever?
That’s correct Ben.
For the $697 you get all the training modules, all the bonuses, full access to both job banks and will never have to make another payment.
Cheers,
Rod
Hi Rod,
Thank you for writing about the Replace Myself service. I read the Four Hour Workweek while on holiday and it provided me with plenty of food for thought.
Ideally I want all of my non-important, repetitive tasks outsourced so I can concentrate on writing blog posts, product creation and striking JV deals.
I will look into the service in more detail as $200 a month for a full-time employee sounds like just the ticket!
David
David Walker´s last blog ..Find Your Passion and Success Will Follow
To be fair this is what a lot of people use Get A Freelancer for. They hire a few different people and when they find someone who delivers high quality and understands their needs they make contact with him off the site and hires him.
I’ve never heard about Replace Myself, though. Maybe something worth checking out.
Stefan´s last blog ..How to Automatically Back Up Your Computer
You’re most welcome, David.
Hi Stefan,
That’s very true but that wouldn’t be an option for someone like David who needs someone for doing the more mundane tasks…something you’re not about to go to GetaFreelancer for…or, perhaps, more long term projects.
It’s certainly one option though.
hey Rod, I have never heard of this site and will definitely check it out. I have also heard that the site http://www.bestjobs.ph is excellent for hiring employees from the Phillipines… but perhaps a bit more work to find the right fit than this site you are recommending. Thanks for the great info; I am going to retweet it right now
Kevin Doherty
Kevin Doherty´s last blog ..The Power Is In the List– 3 Killer Tips to Quickly Grow a More Targeted List
Hi Kevin,
Bestjobs is one of two hiring services you get access to with Replace Myself and it’s the only way to access them if you live in North America…I believe Europe also. The management, for some strange reason, has blocked access.
The owners of Replace Myself were using Bestjobs before the change and managed to secure access through the Philippines.
Cheers,
Rod
Hi Rod ,
how is the outsourcing going,did it managed to free up some of your time
so as to enjoy the finer things in life.
you got into this early would be interesting to know
wether you would still recommend it .
cheers Mick
Hi Mick,
Yes, I’d still recommend it. It can take time and patience finding the right person(s) but once you do it can be a huge benefit to your business. You can also save a fair amount of money depending on what you’re hiring the person for…article writing for example.
It took some trial and error for me to find the right person but am glad I pursued it.
One of the keys to finding the best person suited for the position is taking the time to write a really good ad detailing, as close as possible, exactly what you’re looking for and what the position entails. Have candidates state what their salary expectations are…don’t state what you will pay in the ad. If it’s a writing position, have them submit a sample article. That’s a must.
For non-writing positions…and even to an extent with the writers…be prepared to spend some time on training. Depending on the position it may take giving them small, simpler jobs and have them work up to the more difficult tasks.
If you’re looking at training a person for several duties then Replace Myself is a good option, albeit rather expensive, with the training modules. If you don’t think you’d make use of the modules or would prefer to train the person yourself then OnlineJobs now accepts employers for a monthly fee of $40 or $45, which you can unsubscribe from after finding an employee. http://www.onlinejobs.ph/.
Cheers,
Rod