Outsourcing: The Why, the How, and the What

With the ever-increasing use of technology in the workplace, new jobs have been created that allows professionals to the ability to work from home and set their hours. This new freedom has led to thousands upon thousands of freelancers ready and able to take on extra assignments that aren’t worth your time as the law firm owner. By outsourcing projects and utilizing freelancers, you are not limited by the options in your geographic area. Not only can you hire someone from across the country, but you can also hire someone in a different country altogether.

Why

Outsourcing tasks is a necessary component for law firm owners, especially if you are a solo practitioner or not able to hire a new employee. Certain jobs are so small that hiring an employee to delegate it to is not worth the investment. As a small business owner, you need to outsource work because not all tasks are worth your time. If you are the law firm owner, your priority should not be creating website content or answer the phone.

Your top priority is doing what you do best, that you enjoy, and that brings you the most money and grows your law firm.

Another reason to hire a freelancer is that there is low risk, but high reward. If the project is completed poorly, you have not lost much money and now have a clearer understanding of the assignment for a new freelancer. Trust me; there is someone who can complete the job to your satisfaction. The reward of using a freelancer is more time for you to do enjoyable work and it’s cheaper than hiring a new employee.

But Maria, I know that no one else can do this work as good as me! Attorney work is too complicated for someone else to handle.

Well, friend, I’m going to let Ben Glass, attorney, owner, and CEO of both BenGlassLaw and Great Legal Marketing, tell you about what he used to think versus what happened.

 

How

While I welcome you to research your outsourcing options, both BenGlassLaw and Great Legal Marketing have used both Upwork and Fiverr. I have also recently seen postings on LinkedIn from business owners and hiring managers looking to outsource work. Both websites function similarly, and here is how you contact and hire a freelancer.

  1. Search what type of service or product you would like done. Example: Infographic, data analysis, legal website content, legal brief, etc. (Not sure where you want to begin? Just type in the word “legal” or “marketing” and see what types of services are listed.)
  2. You’ll see a list of freelancers with descriptions of services, rates, example pieces, and reviews.
  3. Browse through the options, considering their portfolios, prices, availability, and reviews and then select a freelancer.
  4. If using Fiverr, you can select a service, write down specific details and give them the information and instruction needed to complete the assignment, and complete your purchase.
  5. If using Upwork, you contact the freelancer before spending the money.
  6. Enjoy something new, that costs relatively little, and did not require much effort from you!

What

Now that you know why you should be utilizing freelancers and how to find a good match for you… Here’s a list of projects and assignments that you give to freelancers (for both marketing and legal work).

  • Article/blog website content
  • Copywriting
  • Legal research
  • Book ghostwriting
  • Legal briefs
  • Draft legal documents/letters
  • Logo design
  • Create article thumbnails
  • Transcriptions
  • Create animations
  • Translations
  • Proofreading
  • Create infographics
  • Write legal contracts
  • Video editing
  • And probably whatever else you can think of.

Ben is a nationally recognized expert in attorney marketing and the owner of Great Legal Marketing.

Most attorneys start their firms assuming that being a really, really good attorney should, in and of itself, be a marketing advantage. Those attorneys believe that joining a whole bunch of committees and putting their name in lawyer directories is “marketing,” and they never bother to ask if there is a better way.

Attorneys are catching on, however, and those who succeed learn to leverage their current resources to create effective (and ethical) marketing. What they discover isn’t a magic pill or silver bullet but a different approach to marketing that your competitors haven’t considered.

If you want a peek at what successful attorneys use to market their practice, the HERO Starter Kit is your logical next step.

We’ve put together a FREE (and potentially life-changing) kit for solo and small firm attorneys that will show you a better way to reach potential clients and get them excited to call your firm. Request your HERO Starter Kit from Great Legal Marketing!

by Ben Glass

Ben is a nationally recognized expert in attorney marketing and the owner of Great Legal Marketing.

CONNECT WITH ME

  • Ben is a nationally recognized expert in attorney marketing and the owner of Great Legal Marketing.