Questions and Answers

Hey, you suddenly opened a can of whoop-ass on your inhibitions and decide to start your own business and put it online. You have decided what industry you want to rank and excel in and you’re pretty certain about the keywords you’ll use. You also decide on getting a few partners in on the project and start hiring people to help in-house.

By then, you’ll probably be asking a few people for website development and if they knew anyone who can make a real mean online machine, erm, website. You suddenly consider outsourcing overseas. A few questions pop into your head.

Can I really trust someone with my online presence?

Will this be for the long term or just the website?

Shouldn’t getting someone who doesn’t naturally speak my language screw up my website?

We’ve all heard about people losing money overseas and how the Internet is filled with scammers. But hey, stuff like that happen and it’s not inherent to overseas outsourcing services. In fact, when you find a trustworthy contractor, you’ll be assured that he’ll do whatever you say – this is because most contractors depend on you for supporting their respective businesses and families. He’ll keep his best foot forward and you’ll be assured of quality services in the long term.

As for the screwing up the website’s content, well, that’s where the challenge lies. It’s not that it’s hard to find a competent writer. The Philippines, being the only country in Asia that speaks the English language well, has loads of excellent Filipino writers. It’s communicating your marketing language that’s the hard part.

The key here is to properly introduce yourself to your contractor and get him to understand what you want to happen. Send him your mind map or your business plan and maybe some samples of copies and videos that you make. Most of all, make him feel that he’s a part of your team and that your success is his too – this creates a common ground with which you can both work with regardless how far you both are from each other.

Exercise Caution

In any case, since getting scammed is the biggest fear for most online entrepreneurs, I guess the best advice I can give you is to play it safe. How? Ask people you know about outsourcing services they trust. It gives you a sense of security and someone to blame when sh*t hits the fan. LOL

Let me know what you think in the comments section below.

Remember, you have to think of something your ideal customer or prospect would want to receive just so they can give you their email address. Think maybe white papers, free reports or a video that will answer their most pressing questions and you’re well on your way.

LinkedIn Groups allows professionals to be in places where they want to be. All they have to do is search for a group that’s relevant to their industry and join in. Of course, some of these groups would need to screen you first before they let you enter. Others would just let you in at the click of the Join Group button.

In any case, you have to know how to mingle with the masterminds if you want to be someone influential in the LinkedIn groups. Here’s a list of things to do in a LinkedIn group:

• Interact – You’ve got to respond to a new discussion especially if it’s aimed at your industry. That also means talking to people and calling them by their first names. Remember, be professional – that means that you shouldn’t be a know-it-all.

In my case, I enter a group with an attitude that shows the eagerness to learn. Being that way, humble and thankful, makes you a more approachable person worthy of a mention.

• Share your thoughts – Now, when you’re participating in the groups, remember to post comments that’s filled with value. You don’t just say: “Nice article!” or “I agree with you on that one, George.” Say something with sense and with value.

If you have to take a side, do it. This sends the impression that you’re ready to engage anyone in a healthy discussion and that you’re confident in your case.

• Agree to disagree – In discussions, it can’t be helped to have a few people go against a specific concept. That’s natural and sort of exciting. You can engage or totally uncover that tiny kernel of truth in a person’s arguments. But if you’re really into your case, then that’s okay.

People have different views and what may work for one person may not work for another. Just be nice, and thank the person for participating.

• Share your stuff – After you’ve reached a level of acceptance and influence in a LinkedIn group, don’t resist to post something off your blog. It’s also advisable that you don’t do this more than thrice per day just so you don’t go off as someone who’s spamming. Remember, share only the best stuff from your blog so they can get to know what you can do.

Talk and engage in a healthy manner, and you won’t go wrong with LinkedIn. Who knows? You might actually start a new idea with the people you’ve been discussing business models and concepts with. What matter is that you maintain an open mind and a professional aura.

That’s it for my tips, folks. Make sure that you interact with a level of professionalism, but don’t be a corporate robot. Let me know what you think.