Work Yourself Up!

The Logo for This Site...and How it Came to Be

In October, I decided to create a logo for this site and the other stuff I'm releasing under the "Work Yourself Up!" name.  Decided to do it via a "contest" on SitePoint.com.

Here's a thread I posted about the process as well as the entries which were submitted.

What happened...

I picked a logo I wanted, only to find the designer was from Israel and was unable to accept Paypal or a standard check.  Wanted me to get some kind of special money order and send it to him via registered mail.

A huge pain in the ass for me, but I liked his work and wanted to deal with him.  And because I hadn't been specific about how he would be paid, just assuming that everybody has Paypal or can accept a wire, it was only fair. 

But when I asked if there were other options to send him money, such as Xoom.com, I never heard back.  A couple more emails... Never heard back.

So I ended up getting the logo I've been using here for the last 5-6 months from a guy on Scriptlance.  Gave him the elements I had used an an example and he did the rest...and for a lot less money, too.

Mistakes I made with SitePoint...

1. I didn't get in and leave feedback for the logos which were being submitted, as they were coming in, just assuming that no feedback meant I didn't like it and that I'd make my final selection after the contest was over. 

But these guys, from what I can tell, are willing to work with you to get the project and expect to get feedback as the contest process is happening.  That's a good system, so if you're willing to give good instruction to people and comment on logos which are submitted, SitePoint's "contest" system might work for you.

Giving feedback and being more on top of the process would have probably gotten me more submissions and better quality submissions, which probably would have gotten me better results.

2. As I mentioned above, I didn't get specific with how I was willing to pay people.  I've gotten so used to sites like on Scriptlance, which has a built-in escrow system, I didn't think anything about it.

I still think SitePoint is a good system and would recommend it.  It's very cool to see the amazing things that people from all over the world come up with.

If you guys use SitePoint, or have used it in the past, please let me know. I'd love to see the results you've had! 

The People You Hire Online...

By hiring people for outsourcing, you're not only doing your business good; you're also changing lives and giving people opportunity that they might not otherwise have.  You're helping these folks live their dreams, feed themselves and their families, and create better lives.

But when the only way you communicate is via email, or through a project manager, it's sometimes hard to remember that you're working with real people, with real lives.  And that's why I'm posting this video...

Thoughts?  Post them in the comment section...

How the Gurus Make Money...

Continuing the topic of my typical day and how I do it...

I like my work, but I also like doing other things.  Yesterday, I started off in the yoga studio and was there for a couple of hours. Then I dropped by the radio station to cut a show, took a nap afterward, and finished the day by going dancing.

And all my "dirty work" was being done though...for pennies on the dollar by highly skilled people overseas.

Click this link and learn how to do the same thing.

Here's the bottom line...

YOU CAN'T DO THIS ON YOUR OWN!   YOU NEED HELP!

If you want to make big money online, you're going to have to outsource some of your work.

If you want to live a really great lifestyle, you're going to have to outsource some of your work.

Get the info on how to make it happen. Take a look and let me know what you think!!

$25 to Start a Business

As you probably already know, it's possible to outsource work to very skilled people for not a lot of money.  A fulltime (40 hours per week) worker from a service like Your Outsourcing Solution will only run you about $500 per month and that includes a Canadian-based concierge to handle everything for you.

Why so little?  Your money goes a long way overseas.

With that said, here is something you may be interested in...

Kiva.org is a non-profit that allows you to make a small 0% loan to low income entrepreneurs in the developing world.  Individuals like you can help provide affordable working capital for the poor -- money to buy a sewing machine, livestock, etc. -- and empower them to earn their way out of poverty.

By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can "sponsor a business." Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from  the business you've sponsored.  As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.

A good return on $25, if you ask me...

Visit Kiva.org to sign up.  And if you want to get an idea of the types of businesses you can help, take a look at my profile page.

PLEASE DIGG OR BOOKMARK THIS VIA DELICIOUS TO HELP SPREAD THE WORD!