The Better Way to Buy and Manage Services   Benefits of using Elance for your project needs:   Reduced Cost - Over 6000 consultants are ready to bid for your project.   Quick Turn Around - A worldwide vendor pool  works while you sleep.   Single Source - Complete sourcing solution in over 60 categories.   Superior Quality - Professional consultants with proven track records.

The Internet makes it easy to virtually outsource your project-based work to a vast pool of highly skilled virtual consultants that can help you get more accomplished in less time. You can find a virtual consultant to help you with almost any type of technical, creative or business strategy project that you may need.

What is a Virtual Consultant?

A "virtual consultant" is someone who provides their services to clients across the country or around the world through the Internet. Virtual consultants work with you by communicating via email, instant messaging, telephone or fax to complete your projects. Virtual consultants range from individual freelancers who specialize in a particular area -- such as web development, graphic design or creative writing -- to small- and medium-sized businesses that offer a full spectrum of services including software application development, database design and web programming.

Benefits of Using Virtual Consultants

There are many benefits to using virtual consultants to help you with your project based work. These include:

• Convenience - You only use them when you have a need for their particular services providing you with great flexibility and reduced costs.

• Expertise - The breadth of services they offer ensure that you can always find someone with the right expertise for your project.

• Focus - Taking advantage of virtual consultants, allows you to focus on projects related to your core competency while outsourcing the rest.

• Quick Turnaround - They work while you sleep. Because you can tap into consultants across the country or across the world, there are consultants available to work on your projects anytime.

How to Find a Great Virtual Consultant

Sites like Elance make it easy for you to find and work with virtual consultants. Sites such as this help connect you with the right consultant for your project and enable you to complete and pay for the services that you receive. Typically, you will post your project and qualified virtual consultants will submit proposals and bids for your work. You then choose the right consultant for your needs and begin working on the project. This system allows you to get all of your extra project work completed through a single source.

Services available on these sites include, but are not limited to, application development, advertising and marketing copy, database design and development, graphic design services and business plans. The benefits of using these services include getting access to a large pool of global resources, saving you time by having providers come to you with proposals, saving money through competitive bidding and improving the likelihood of success by utilizing the project management tools provided on these sites.

Getting the Most from Virtual Consultants

Virtually outsourcing your project-based work will save you time and money while allowing you to focus on what you do best. But before you get started, there are a few tips you should know regarding how best to work with virtual consultants through an online services marketplace. For best results:

• Determine the objective of your project up front.

• Write down any technical or functional specifications. This will help you to communicate your needs and expectations.

• Know your budget.

• Set specific milestones and delivery dates to help you track the progress of your project.

When you do narrow down the consultants you are interested in working with, be sure to ask them questions to ensure they understand your needs and have the expertise to complete your project. Set in writing your expectations with a contract and scope of work document containing milestones to track progress. This will help you avoid any confusion during the project and upon delivery of the final product.

Virtual outsourcing of your technical and creative projects is an easy way to get more done in less time allowing you to focus on what you like to do best. Virtual consultants provide the added expertise you need to work smarter, not harder. So "let go" and virtually outsource that project you have been putting off to a skilled virtual consultant.

About The Author
Mike Bevans, MBA, is Sr. Manager, Product Strategy at Elance, Inc. Mike is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in virtual outsourcing, online marketing and website analytics. Elance Online is a Web-based services marketplace providing businesses a better way to buy and manage services. For more, info visit www.elance.com

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