Outsourcing is one of the most practiced business techniques of our time. Initially, outsourcing was predominantly embraced by larger organizations to cut costs and focus on their core functions. These organizations were able to absorb risks associated with doing business in a radically different way.
Now, almost any kind of work can be outsourced, including business writing. Sub-contractors are hired outside of the organization to take care of mundane writing tasks. The fear of outsourcing mundane tasks, such as business writing, appears to have diminished over time. Opportunities for employment have increased in all kinds of business sectors because of this, as well.
But is this always the wise choice? Should business writing, no matter how menial the project may be, handed off to someone outside of the company?
Outsourcing by Small and Medium Size Enterprises
Outsourcing is no longer reserved for massive corporations. It is an option that can be explored by small and medium-size businesses to enhance operation efficiency and effectiveness. Some small companies outsource payroll and technical web hosting support services, areas that require specialists, and expert services.
Sometimes this is a small business or start up’s best option as it can help a team focus on development goals. While it is understandable that an entrepreneur would want to be involved in all aspects of the business when first starting up, micromanaging can be destructive and inefficient in the long run.
When you do not see the bigger picture, you end up bogged down by mundane tasks. On the same note, taking on every trivial task that comes your way can prevent you from achieving the bigger picture. This is why it’s essential to know when the time is right to outsource.
Determining when to outsource comes down to an analysis of business needs, risks, and rewards — figuring out your business’s “core.” A company should outsource non-core tasks that do not impact the competitive advantage and the future direction of the business.
Benefits of Outsourcing
In the past, most business owners believed in vertical business integration and tight control of the process. Today, the prevailing wisdom is focused on core competencies, entrusting market mechanisms, and carefully crafted contracts to motivate enterprises and individuals to provide steller services for the non-core services.
Outsourcing can save you a lot of time and resources and free up your employees to focus on what you need them to do, whether it’s following up with clients, outlining future projects, or meeting a deadline.
You may not even have to stay overtime at the office. Business writing may be mundane, but it is essential to running a company — someone needs to do it. Outsourcing may be one of the avenues you can explore to help you balance time for work, friends, and family.
When to Outsource Business Writing
While some people enjoy business writing, it is not everyone’s cup of tea. Business writing can be time-consuming. Unless you are good at it or have the resources to assign it internally, it is a task perfectly suited to a third party. Having an expert run your business blogs, SEO, email marketing, business newsletters, and other business-related content creation — especially in a technology-driven era — is a smart idea.
Business owners can easily find someone to generate landing page copy, which takes a considerable amount of time and professional skill. If you need a business plan or company overview drafted, there are people who specialize specifically in this kind of writing. Outsourcing writing doesn’t mean the product you receive in return is final. It just means that you don’t have to do the brunt of the work. Time is a precious resource, and the last thing you need to do is waste it.
However, this doesn’t mean you should necessarily outsource every bit of copy needed for your company. Not participating in the business writing side of things can be detrimental in the long run. As your company grows, so do the skills needed in order to run it. You need to be capable of focusing on those mundane writing tasks in case there’s a last-minute need, or it is not financially advisable to hire a subcontractor.
For instance, don’t go outsourcing memos, meeting notes, or notices. Yes, these may not be the most exciting things to write, but your employees should know that you respect them enough to write to them “personally.”
Things to Consider
There are some questions you need to answer before you can make a final decision on whether to outsource your mundane business writing. Thoroughly examine your business enterprise before investing the money in a third-party contractor.
Perform a Cost-Benefit Analysis
Conduct a cost-benefit analysis. The analysis will determine if outsourcing makes business sense. Outsourcing ought to make sense financially. It should be less expensive than having in-house resources perform the task.
Outsource Non-core Activities
A rule of thumb when it comes to subcontracting is to never outsource a task that can impact your business’s competitive advantage. If you can’t trust a subcontractor to do your company right with their work, don’t chance the hit. Have the business writing completed internally instead. Only outsource mundane tasks that prevent you from achieving your core operations.
Don’t Pass Up Your Business’s Talent
If you know you cannot replicate the voice and talent of your employees by hiring a subcontractor, it may not be wise to outsource. When it comes to business writing for a potential audience, you want to showcase the talent in your company, not downgrade.
On the same note, if you will have access to experienced writers, a specific knowledge pool, or insights that you don’t have internally, then it is worth outsourcing the writing.
Business Content Outsourcing
Content plays a pivotal role in any marketing strategy. Outsourcing is one of the avenues you can explore to drive your business content needs and market growth. Content writing can, however, be time-consuming and costly. Be realistic about what fits your business needs. If content production is not for you, and you lack the time or manpower to take care of mundane business writing, then you should consider outsourcing this service.
