Is your podcast finally gaining traction? Do you have a loyal following that demands content? Congrats, you’ve officially arrived. Unfortunately, that also means that your daily to-do list is about a mile long as you juggle the demands of content creation with marketing, merchandising, and several other tasks.
Suddenly, you don’t have enough hours in the day and wonder how you’ll keep your business going. Outsourcing might be the answer you’re looking for. In this post, the SupportYourApp team, experts in call center outsourcing, explain what to look for before you sign on the dotted line.
1. Define Your Needs Clearly
Before you look for someone to work with, you need to define your needs. What is it that you expect precisely? Make a detailed list of what you want your outsourcer to do. This’ll help you find the best skills match. It’ll also ensure you find the team with the requisite experience.
2. Set Your Budget and Expectations
Research the average industry costs for the services you need so you have an idea of how much to offer. Companies charging way below this amount are likely cutting corners, and you’re better off avoiding them. Next, get quotes from a few providers.
3. Research Potential Partners
Speak to fellow podcasters about recommendations for an outsourcing partner. You can also look at online platforms, freelance sites, and industry-specific networks for candidates. Take extra time with the research because the team’ll become your brand representative. If they mess up, so do you.
In this research phase, go beyond the reviews the company highlights on their site and look for reviews from independent sources. Make sure the references refer to podcasts similar to yours for the best results.
Ask the team if you can speak to some current clients to get a better idea of the service they deliver. Most companies that have a good relationship with their customers will oblige.
4. Conduct Interviews
By now, you should have a shortlist of candidates. You should schedule interviews with the various candidates to discuss your needs and vision. Take notes of how responsive they are, whether they treat you with respect, and if they communicate well.
Would you feel comfortable having them represent you? Do they have the type of work ethic you require? Are they as enthusiastic about your podcast as you are?
Be sure to talk about the direction they’d take. While they won’t lay out a step-by-step strategy until you’re on board, they should give basic ideas. This demonstrates their industry experience.
Finally, gauge how good they are at listening. If they skip over your needs at this crucial stage, they won’t be much better with your clients.
5. Clarify the Communication Channels
You’ll have to make sure the company you hire has effective communication channels in place. This is critical to avoid misunderstandings and ensure a smooth collaboration. You should also factor in things like time zones and language differences when working with partners from different regions.
6. Consider Your Audience
Working with a firm in a different country can be a useful cost-saving strategy. It can also give you an in if you’re expanding your podcast to a new market. Having a local who speaks the language makes it easier to grease the wheels for expansion and also ensures you understand the region’s culture.
7. Define the Work Processes
Take the time to create clear workflows for each task you want to farm out. Create clear deadlines, milestones, and include any specific instructions to follow. By taking some time here, you ensure there’s no miscommunication.
Your partner may offer ways to streamline or improve the process, but having this in place upfront gives them something to work towards.
8. Evaluate Their Technical Skills
What skill set do you need? Are there going to be technical tasks like editing your audio content or creating thumbnails? If so, ask for samples of the outsourcer’s work in a similar area.
Better yet, offer them a paid trial so you can see how they handle your tasks from scratch. This is the best way to ensure they have the necessary skills and experience.
9. Consider the Cultural Fit
What’s the organization’s culture like, and does it fit with yours? Are the employees happy, and do they have a good work ethic? Will they ensure that your podcast’s tone stays the same, and can they make a positive contribution?
10. Check for Flexibility and Scalability
Consider whether your partner can adapt to changes in workload and scaling requirements. A flexible partner who can grow with your podcast is beneficial in the long run, especially as your podcast gains popularity and expands.
If, on the other hand, they have staffing issues, it might hinder your growth.
11. Discuss Data Security
Are you going to entrust your partner with sensitive information, you need to discuss data security and confidentiality. They need to take it as seriously as you do so that you can protect your listeners.
Also, keep in mind that you’re liable for any breaches or compliance issues, so make your expectations clear in the contract. List the compliance regulations relevant to your country and also check if there are regulations that they must comply with in their home country.
12. Trial Period
Consider starting with a trial period or a smaller project before committing to a long-term arrangement. This allows you to assess the outsourcing partner’s performance, reliability, and compatibility with your workflow.
Build a short-term contract for a week or a month. Thereafter, you can renew it as agreed if they live up to their responsibilities.
13. Have a Contract in Place
Once you’ve identified the right partner, formalize the arrangement with a clear and comprehensive contract. Define terms, expectations, payment details, and other relevant clauses to protect both parties.
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding the perfect outsourcing partner for your podcast requires diligence and a well-structured approach. By defining your needs, conducting thorough research, and assessing potential partners based on a range of criteria, you can identify the right collaborator.