A Simple and Inexpensive Key to Success: Let Someone Else Do It

By Amber Kane

I knew he was successful. I had read about him, and heard even more, so I was anticipating this interview.

I knew his wife, Arlene, was his business partner, they had four children, including one with special needs, and a typically busy lifestyle. Knowing that, I began to wonder how they managed their family and personal lives in addition to their successful websites. As an entrepreneur myself, I know how much work it takes to get started, up and running alongside generating profit.

And that is why I wanted to interview James Martell, Internet entrepreneur, publisher, speaker and trainer; I had primarily one question: How do you do it all?

The answer, I found out, is simple: he doesn't.

James certainly owns every aspect of the business and websites, but he takes advantage of a few key tools and resources the Internet provides, and they are available to everyone.

That was the first thing James explained. He told me, "The fact is there are many aspects of building an online business that entrepreneurs don't need to know, and even more they don't have to do themselves. Thinking you have to do everything yourself is one of the most common misconceptions out there." He chuckled a bit and added, "Just ask my wife; she'll tell you!"

So that's the trick, I thought to myself; his wife does it all!

While Arlene does a lot, she'll be the first to tell you, she certainly doesn't do it all. She simply doesn't have enough time to between getting the girls to dance, son to bowling and so on. This was the paradigm she too faced when creating her first website from the ground up: EpilepsyMoms.com

What James had been doing, and what Arlene did to build EpilepsyMoms.com, was focus on what they were good at and enjoyed. They outsourced the rest.

Before I could interject that entrepreneurs usually have limited cash, James preempted me by saying, "The second most common misconception is that outsourcing costs too much for a new or growing business. That leads to the second biggest mistake - procrastination."

I felt like he was talking about me, who, admittedly, used to put things off because I didn't have the time needed to do them. He must have picked up on my guilt, because he said "Everyone does it in the beginning. Most people don't even know outsourcing is available or how simple and cost-effective it is. Let me break it down the same way I broke it down for Arlene, while she was creating EpilepsyMoms.com."

The other lesson here is business owners shouldn't pretend to be a professional writer unless they are one. There are plenty of professional writers for hire on Elance.com who can produce whatever content is needed.

I've spent nearly $40,000 outsourcing more then 200 projects on Elance.com and this is where Arlene hired her professional writers too. On Elance, you post a project and professional writers bid on it. You review their portfolio and feedback, choose a writer and pay when the project is complete.

It's simple and effective.

I knew he was right, and I knew he must have some inside information to share as a buyer, considering how much work he had done through Elance, so I asked him for a top 10 list of Tips for Outsourcing on Elance.

1. Don't Assume It Will Be Too Expensive - Many new online business owners assume outsourcing is expensive. As a result, they never get around to posting projects and their businesses suffer. You might be surprised at how little it costs, and more importantly, the time you saved. The investment pays for itself, since it generates business. A great way to get started is to post your project. Remember, if you aren't happy with the bids, you don't have to accept any.
2. Clearly Describe Your Project - This is as simple as writing an email. Describe, in layman's terms, what you are seeking. The more accurately you describe the project, the higher chances of having a provider fulfill your needs at a reasonable price.
3. Evaluate Feedback - At the end of a project, both buyers and providers have an opportunity to leave feedback describing their experience. Buyers need to review each bidders portfolio and feedback left from previous buyers. If you find a writer you're interested in and have additional questions, you can contact them privately through the Elance system.
4. Negotiate Price - Don't be afraid to negotiate a better price. If you find a professional who fits the project but their fee is too high, simply contact them through the private message board through Elance and negotiate the fee. Providers are willing to negotiate fees and often do, especially with the prospect of building a long-term relationship.
5. Set Milestones And Use Escrow - Once a provider is chosen, and fee negotiated, it is time to break the project down into milestones and begin using Elance's escrow system. This system protects both buyer and seller. Buyers break the project down into milestones and fund each milestone at the beginning of the project. When the milestone is reached and the buyer is happy with the work, they simply release the funds. Milestones keep the project on track and minimize interruption of cash-flow, since buyers can set up the project so providers are paid weekly or at specific times.
6. Answer Messages - With the project underway, it is critical to answer provider's messages quickly. Responding with detailed answers will ensure the project isn't held up. Elance's private message board system stores all communication between buyer and provider in case of any problems.
7. Pay Quickly - Providers are in the business of making money like the rest of us, and they appreciate prompt payment upon completion of their projects. When a project is submitted to your satisfaction, releasing funds quickly will result in great feedback from the provider. Great feedback equates to better pricing and more interested providers.
8. Stay Within The System - Elance makes sure buyers and providers are protected each step of the way. This is why it's so important to stay within the Elance system when communicating, paying and leaving feedback. Should a dispute arise, there is a paper-trail and record for Elance to review (they have amazing customer support and resources including dispute resolution; rare, as James has never had one).
9. Develop Relationships - When buyers encounter a real gem of a provider, it is wise to hire them again and again. The more work a provider does for a buyer, the better they will know a buyer and their business. This means a provider will be better able to deliver the quality and type of work needed.
10. Build Your Feedback - At the end of a project, be sure to request and provide feedback. Great feedback translates into better prices and more bids. Providers review feedback like buyers do and consider it when negotiating fees. Both parties benefit from feedback like all other dynamics of Elance; it's truly a win win situation for everyone.

I thanked James for his time and advice, and followed up by asking how I, and others, could learn more. "It's a simple as outsourcing," he said.

You too can find out and learn more about James Martell and his success. Sign up for James & Arlene Martell's Newsletter- The News about Building Profitable Websites from Home and watch a FREE informative video showing James take his wife Arlene through the process of developing her very first podcast to be used on EpilepsyMoms.com.

Watch as James, through an online conference application, delivers this same information to students around the world who are embarking on ventures of their own intended to generate an income online - and more!

• Witness the inner-workings of the Martell household as mom and dad work as a team
• View real examples of websites developed by his students
• Watch James tour the seaside town of White Rock, BC, near Vancouver Canada, in his Cobra and listen to him share the story of his success and how you can experience the same

In this FREE informative video, you'll learn how, in 1999, a friendly chat with a long-time friend who had stopped by turned into James learning how to put up a website that generated advertising revenue with affiliate programs.