Devoted to WAHMs -Work at Home Moms

I just did it again. One of my clients has a major writing project. Instead of suggesting another writer, I offered to take it on myself. Mind you, two weeks ago I decided I had more than enough work to keep me busy this summer, and wouldn’t accept any more jobs.

The job in questions is from an existing client, one that pays me well. I accepted because it’s right up my alley, and because it’s fun. It’s temporary but will take up the better part of the next few weeks. Besides, we’re renovating and can use the extra income.

After assessing the situation, I realized there’s no reason why I can’t do this job. The only thing standing in my way is a personal project, one that takes up two hours each day. Since it’s personal, it’s not a major priority, but it brings in a few hundred dollars each month, so I’m not abandoning it all together. Instead, I hired someone to help out a few days a week.

This isn’t the first time I brought in extra help. I’ve outsourced projects before when I got over my head. Since this is my own project, I don’t need clearance. It’s always a good rule of thumb to check with your employer before outsourcing, however. Not all of them are happy to see you sub-contract out.

The benefits of outsourcing:

• Allows you to catch up on your work
• Allows you some free time
• Gives someone else a job
• Enables you to pass on an unattractive task to someone else

The downside of outsourcing

• You’ll need to interview others for your job
• You’ll have to oversee the project
• Your sub-contractor may flake or do a poor job, leaving you to pick up the slack
• You’ll be losing part of your income

Most independent contractors don’t like to outsource because they don’t like to share their paychecks. I’m one of them. There are times, like now, when it can’t be avoided. Especially when my options are to turn down the project completely, which means I could lose the client, or bring someone in to help. In this case, I choose the latter.