As a Bizy Mom you may need additional help once or maybe a small amount continuously. If you decide to outsource some of your work, there are a number of ways to find good independent contractors.

• Start by visiting some of these sites: Craigslist, Guru.com, freelance.com, Elance.com or Google your local area. Look under the heading that describes your needs -- printers, public relations, accounting, payroll services, etc. These sites will connect you to a variety of qualified talent. It is especially valuable for technology, content writing, or similar projects. Once you pay a small free, you can post your project and have many professional providers respond with samples of their work, time required, and quotes for your particular projects. Sites like Elance.com provide more protection since payment goes through them and they person providing wants good evaluations.
• Ask for referrals from other businesses. Call printers, for example, and ask which graphic artist they would recommend to work on a project like yours.
• Tap into your personal network. Call people you know personally that have similar needs. Ask them for recommendations. They will not only know who can do the project for you, they may also have had personal experience with someone and can vouch for the quality of work provided.
• Use networking. Contact your local Chamber of Commerce, professional organizations, women’s groups, or your peers. These sources will help you build a resource list that you can refer to when you need assistance.
• Consider job applicants. If you find an exceptional job candidate, but can't hire the individual for a full-time position, ask if that person might be interested in working independently on a per-project basis. You never know!

With so many people out of work, there is a wide variety of individuals who have transitioned to outsourcing as their career. The flexibility it allows them to work from home, provide an income, and the affordability it offers you makes a winning combination!