The work involved in creating an online course and the effort it takes to make sure it has a life in the virtual world can be a daunting process. Outsourcing comes as a solution you should definitely take into account.
Read more: Why you should consider outsourcing parts of your course creation
Last time we talked about what parts of your online course creation process you can actually outsource. Whether you don't know or don't want to handle some aspects of the process, whether you choose to outsource one or more parts of it, like design, editing or marketing, the decision is yours.
But you know what Murphy would say: if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Outsourcing may be a great solution for easing your workload as an online course creator, but sometimes you might want to reconsider it. So let’s explore a few advantages and disadvantages to this practice.
PROs and CONs to online course outsourcing
Outsourcing brings benefits to all involved. You get the job done by experts and they capitalize on their knowledge.
But as the saying goes, there are always two sides to any coin. This means one cannot overlook the challenges online entrepreneurs might face when dealing with freelancers.
Knowing all the pros and cons of outsourcing offers you the chance to make an informed decision.
PRO #1: Cutting down on costs
If you are new to online courses and you decide to do everything by yourself to avoid investing in something that gives you no guarantee to succeed, you may be losing all your time and resources without any avail.
You could try to have input from freelancers in areas you feel you need help and make a small investment to get things started. There are cheap choices that can prove beneficial.
If your course is just like the icing on the cake to your business, you should consider reaching freelancers to update your content and market your course.
In any case, remember that you have the chance to pay only for the services you need if and when you need them.
PRO #2: Access to experts
There is a wide range of experts out there with all the specialized skills you need to suit your requirements.
It's not necessary to hand in everything related to the development and marketing of your course to freelancers, but outsourcing some aspects of the process may turn out to exactly what you need. You can find the perfect person for every step of the way.
PRO #3: Speeding up the turnaround time for your online course
When trying to start an online course business, you get to see first hand how much work it implies. Not having qualified personnel to take care of the layout of your course and put together the best promotion strategy could delay the launch of your course although you may already have the content.
However, with the help of professionals that have enough experience you can considerably speed up the process. More minds, less time.
PRO #4: Applying best practices and innovations
Reaching out to freelancers allows you to capitalize on their expertise by using their advanced know-how and innovative strategies.
Leveraging the possibilities that outsourcing has to offer, you open yourself towards positive outcomes for your course in the online market and for you as an entrepreneur.
CON #1: Budget
Developing an online course and still be time-efficient is costly. Making a name for yourself as an online instructor requires you to shorten the production and marketing process as much as possible.
For that, you need to make an investment. Nonetheless, prioritizing your actions when it comes to outsourcing is key in order to have the best money per value ratio.
CON #2: Quality control
Working with freelancers is tricky since you don't usually get to know them. Different people have different quality standards, different language and cultures, which can cause some misunderstandings.
To avoid this setback, check their credentials, ask to see their previous work, and make sure you get to preview the final product before paying.
CON #3: People management
Delegating tasks and decisions to others may be uncomfortable if you like to be in total control. Once you let go of that and trust the people you choose to collaborate with, you'll realize it's not that hard and it actually allows you to see clearly what you need for your course.
If you are patient, work on sending clear messages and let your freelancers know you are monitoring their progress, you'll get the best out of your collaborations.
CON #4: Tuning out
When you finally find someone to delegate parts of the online course creation process, you may feel relief and assume things will be done exactly as planned.
However, it is advisable to check in on your freelancers regularly to make sure they stick with the schedule. This way you can prevent any major setbacks or get back on track faster.
Balancing it all
Freelance professionals do have a lot more expertise and you can leverage their work in any aspect related to the development and promotion of your course. Outsourcing may require you to invest at first more than you anticipated, but it also reduces the total costs of your course since it speeds up the process from creation to promotion. No matter what or if you choose to outsource, you need to balance the benefits and challenges before deciding whether this is the right solution for you.
