Why I Believe Outsourcing is a Collaboration

Although it has been a thing for a while, outsourcing is finally getting the respect and hype that it deserves. As someone whose livelihood revolves around it, I am 100% all in! But, it isn’t a, “let’s pass off these tasks and never look at them again,” type of thing… At least, it shouldn’t. In fact, I believe outsourcing is a collaboration…

And, here is why.

THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT OUTSOURCING

Sorry, not sorry! Are the cool kids still saying that these days? Either way, it is true! I am sorry to break it to you, but it needs to be discussed.

If you don’t know, my business, Madyson Clark Creative, provides marketing services to creative businesses. These services include blogging, social media management, email marketing, and more. As an online service provider, I have experienced A LOT OF THINGS with quite a few different businesses.

I, my friends, have got to tell you one thing that weighs heavily on my mind on a day-to-day basis.

Ready to hear it?

OUTSOURCING IS A COLLABORATION

If you are outsourcing, it could be for a lot of reasons. Whether it is because you don’t have time or you simply just don’t have the necessary skills, outsourcing is a good thing!

But the thing is, they shouldn’t be the only ones to have eyes on the tasks you are handing off.
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WHY?⁠
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Because it isn’t their business.⁠
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They are taking a major weight off your shoulders by providing that service for you, but it shouldn’t mean that you give them the go-ahead to never chat with you about it again.⁠
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and they shouldn’t ask for that either.⁠
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YOU HAVE A MISSION⁠
YOU HAVE A PURPOSE⁠
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Your online service provider (OSP) should continuously work with you to better the task at hand. They should be finding the best ways to get what is in your brain and put it into theirs.

Ultimately, your mission and purpose aren’t your OSP’s mission and purpose.

3 THINGS MADYSON CLARK CREATIVE DOES TO CREATE AN “OUTSOURCING IS A COLLABORATION” TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP WITH CLIENTS

The way your online service provider runs their processes can make or break working with that. Honestly, it can really affect the success of the tasks that you pass on to them. If you are paying them, chances are you probably want to see some sort of result.

Right?

For this very reason, I have spent the last two years perfecting my processes. Obviously, I am aware that you need to constantly be updating things. However, I have worked to get the way I run things to the point of perfect effectiveness.

Especially in terms of treating outsourcing as a collaboration.

ONE | Setting Expectations

Before beginning, I have a discovery call with each potential client. During this call, I break it into three different sections.

First, I give the individual the opportunity to discuss themselves, their business, and what they are hoping to get from working with me. Second, I go through my services, packages, and pricing giving them the chance to ask any questions they have about it. The last part of the call is most often, the longest. During this part, we talk about my processes and expectations. I walk them through what it typically looks like to work with me and what they can expect.

I make sure to ALWAYS highlight expectations about collaboration.

TWO | Requiring Content Specifics

I mentioned this before, getting what is in your head into my head is a big deal to me.

Having tried a bunch of different things to do this, there is nothing more effective than asking my clients to provide content specifics. Each service requires something a little different. However, at the end of the day, it accomplishes the task of helping me understand what you are feeling and thinking.

BLOGS/EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: My blogging packages have two different options. My clients have the option to provide me with a full outline. OR, if they don’t have time for a full outline, I have an option that allows them to give me a brief brain dump of thoughts.

The same goes for email newsletters.

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT: The creative community, I have noticed, is very particular about what they post on their social accounts. As a creative myself, I can’t blame them. These accounts are, most of the time, what truly show our audience what is important to us and what they can expect from working with us.

To get those thoughts from my clients, I send documents and spreadsheets with prompts for them to answer. I am not expecting a whole bunch of detail… just enough to let me see into their brain for a sec.

WEBSITE/DOCUMENT COPYWRITING: When I write copy for clients (especially websites)… I am a big believer in the brain dump! Most of the time, the individuals I work with know what they want to convey, they just don’t know how to write it. Well, luckily, this is my specialty.

I will send each client a questionnaire that dives into their copywriting expectations for the finished project. Also, I send a Google Doc with instructions on brain dumping. On this document, I basically just expect clients to put all of their thoughts on paper. From there, I take it and turn it into their dream copy!

THREE | Service Organization

For each of my clients, I set up a Trello board which allows them to be a part of what I am doing without feeling like they are micromanaging me.

I have a general section that houses all meeting links, out-of-office dates, branding, etc. The following section is a spot that helps us onboard. Onboarding means “the action or process of integrating a new employee into an organization or familiarizing a new customer or client with one’s products or services,” according to the Oxford Dictionary.

But, the most important part of their Trello board, is the monthly service list.

Clients and Madyson Clark Creative (me and my team) will have a to-do list for each month (these boards are set up generally the same for a monthly retainer and one-time clients).

Both parties are aware of the items that they need to provide depending on their service and package and when it is due.

I do my best to schedule 2 – 4 months in advance so that clients have plenty of time to get me their to-dos by the specified dates.

I have a policy in my contract that states that clients have until their specified due dates to get their content-specific items to me. If they miss that date, they have a two-day grace period. For some reason, if they miss that second date, they forgo services for that month and no refund will be issued.

It seems harsh. However, it is the best way, that I have found to hold clients accountable for their part in the outsourcing collaboration.

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OUTSOURCING WITH MADYSON CLARK CREATIVE

My entire life, I have been obsessed with creativity. I am constantly finding myself gravitating toward those who have the wildest of souls and care for the art of creation. Knowing quite a few individuals who are a part of the creative community, I learned that there is such a need for backend help within the industry.

From there, I never looked back.

Since coming to the realization that my talents and passions could really come into use, I have made it my mission to help those creatives who are blazing the trail for adventure. Without a strong marketing strategy, a business’s front end just isn’t enough to keep it running… BUT IT ALL TAKES TIME AND SKILL.

This is why I have dedicated my business to helping these business owners complete the tasks that hold them back from being the best they can be.