Outsourcing Basics with Nathan Hirsch of OutsourceSchool.com - a podcast by Michael Veazey

Nathan Hirsch is founder and former owner of Freeeup.com , Founder and CEO of Outsource School

What is the bigger picture with your clients with Covid19?It’s speeded up the move towards homeworking. Communicate with your team - they are wondering how their clients are affected, how their jobs are being affected.
If you can't keep employing them, Get them referrals. Maybe ask for Reduced rates.If you look after them in a difficult period, they'll remember.
Selling Your Business: Freeeup as a case studyNathan was the face of the business.
But the work ran in the background without him.The HOTH made an offer halfway through 2019.
Due diligence -Nathan wanted to know that

They weren’t going to burn bridgesThey weren’t going to run the business into the ground
Part of agreement was to keep people employedHelped with 90-day transition
Partnering with them for Outsource SchoolWhat was your number one concern?
We treat people in a certain way.Some marketplaces out there are so pro client that they don’t look after.
HOTH went from 100K purchase and turn it into 20M USD a year.They tried to meet 20 filipinos via Zoom

Cultural thingsMonday morning meetings - everyone shares a picture from the weekend.

Organic scaling The playbook for Freeeup
It starts with good service. You often can’t compete with bigger companies in marketing.Affiliate programme - 50 cents per hour

VAs were instructed to mention itLots of people

NetworkingNathan tries to reach out to 3 new entrepreneurs each day

PodcastsJust launched a course on how to use VAs to get on podcasts.It’s good for networkingIt’s good for SEO
It’s good for content.Nathan Hirsch puts out content every day - they’re slowly consuming your concept

MicroinfluencersSay you’re selling a beer mug - you can reach out to people and get in front of their community

PartnershipsIn Amazon space went after Helium10, seller labs etc.
Built over 100 partnerships where FU promoted them and vice versaUsing VAS
You can also use VAs to speed you alongVirtual assistants for Outsourcing
 When to start? Don’t hire 3 full-time VAsThey hired a book keeper for 5 hours a month!
You can start with 5-10 hours a week.You could have one to do small tasks in your Amazon business.

Calculate what is affordable for your Amazon businessoutsourceschool.com/vacalculator
Make a list of your actionsDay to day
Week to weekMonth to month


Easiest to hardestThings you hate most
That means you have can hireCreate a job description

Interviewing assistants to outsource e-commerce tasksFocus on attitude and communication as much as on experience. What do they are about? Being part of something great? Self improvement?
20-30 minute interviewCARE - communication, Attitude, Red Flags, Experience
Try it via Slack or Skype in writing. You’re not going to Zoom call them so that’s not worth doing.Onboarding assistants for e-commerce 
Most people know you have to interview and then train and manage people.Let’s make sure you’re good with $5

SICC method (15-25 mins) Schedule. - have you worked for this before? Is there overlap with other clients?
Issues - 5 types of issuesComputer - is it fast, new? Do you have a backup?
Internet and power - do you have a hotspot you can use? Can you use a hotel or coffeeshop? How often?Weather - how often is it an issue?
Personal issues - set expectation that P.I. don’t get in way of work. You also have to communicate.Give them a chance to back out then not take job and find out it’s not a job.
Communication - Slack on it when you’re working, viber, email within 24 hoursCulture - what do you value? We care about feedback. We care about ideas. Not just robots. Eg “We don’t put up with drama”; are you looking to be part of a family?

Training your e-commerce outsourcers

Further episodes of Amazing FBA Amazon and ECommerce Podcast, for Amazon Private Label Sellers, Shopify, Magento or Woocommerce business owners, and other e-commerce sellers and digital entrepreneurs.

Further podcasts by Michael Veazey

Website of Michael Veazey