EXACTLY one year ago, I posted this sad, pitiful post :

http://www.opensourcephoto.net/forum/index...c=11404&hl=

Since I've FINALLY gotten myself into a better workflow, I thought it was time for an update Since then ...

I've opened up a studio and hired a studio manager to help out with all the easy little things were taking up soooooooo much of my time. Things like burning CDs, uploading galleries, running to the post office and to the bank, backing up files, sending in orders, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. It drove me ABSOLUTELY CRAAAAAZY to think about all the things I was missing out on with my family while I was doing these lame-o little tasks. Now I can spend that 30 minutes at home with my kiddos instead of in line at Office Depot picking up envelopes. YAYYYYY for that!

I've also started outsourcing my wedding editing to Colorati and I'm SOOOOOOO EXCITED about it! They've only done one wedding for me so far, but they did an AWESOME job and I know they'll be saving me TONS of time in the future. Leon at Colorati is the BEST! I highly recommend them to anyone looking to outsource their editing. Check out their website : http://www.colorati.com

I'm outsourcing my album designs, too, and can't say enough great things about Modern Album Designs. They're FAST and their albums ROCK! Check 'em out here : http://www.modernalbumdesigns.com

So, why all the outsourcing?

Because now I can shoot more, be inspired more, travel more, spend more time with my family, enjoy my job a LOT more, be grouchy less, be stressed less and actually make time for myself. Is that worth a few hundred bucks per wedding? Ummmmm ... YEAH

YAY for outsourcing!

XOXO, Sarah Q

Good for you Sarah! I think I am headed in that direction too. Maybe not this year, but we will see for 2009!

I hear ya, I hear ya. The secret to success doesn't have to include shouldering all the stress yourself - Good for you!!

Awww.... Sarah, you're a joy to work with! Thank you for the kind words.

-Leon

+infinity!!

Hey, if anyone wants to try Modern Album Designs, shoot me an email and I'll forward you a 50% off coupon I just got via email. They ROCK!

XOXO, Sarah

Leon does rock! :)so sarah, share a little more about hiring an office manager?

Thank you for the info. I would like to take that route someday and free up my time to spend with my family.

Hey - I figure they won't mind me posting the coupon code, so here's the info ...

ENTER THIS CODE : MAD052008 into the Comments Field on your order form for 50% off your first design (new clients only!)

Jillian - Having a studio manager ROCKS! She works four hours a day, five days a week answering phones, responding to emails, checking on orders, uploading, sending things out, posting our events to community calendars ... basically all the little things that need to get done that don't require ME to do. It's been SOOOOOO nice being able to focus on the things that DO need me, so naturally I'm doing those things a LOT better now. I'm paying her $10 an hour, so it's $200 a week, but it's TOTALLY worth every single penny!

Sarah, so how does that work for you as far as employer costs: i.e., workers comp, taxes, etc.

That sounds like the ideal solution for my headaches!! Hopefully in 6 months!

Thanks for sharing this...I just spoke to someone today about maybe coming on board.

Awesome! Good for you Sarah!! I will be doing this same thing once I can warrant the extra help/costs. Keep it up!

A word of caution:

Just as a reminder for those of you thinking about "in-sourcing" studio or office help... those folks can not be considered "contract labor".

If they work in your location, you have to, according to US IRS regs -- jump through the hoops for tax withholding and the appropriate fees. (you don't just withhold their taxes -- but pay more fees - or a hidden share of their taxes on top of what you remove from their paychecks)

This is usually something that gets outsourced to a bookkeeper and/or accountant.

So your $10/hour employee may actually be a $12 or $13/hour employee once you pay your taxes/fees and the accounting fees.

Please stay legal and out of trouble with the IRS.

That is awesome!!!! Do you let them pick the keepers too or do you do the first cut

That's awesome!!!

Dang!!! Can I come work for you?

About 4 years ago I worked full time as a studio manager (and doing a lot more in it than you have this gal doing - I was there more than the owner/photographer was) and I got paid a measly $7.50 an hour. And the only reason I got that much was I was actively seeking other employment, and told my boss to pay me more or I was walking.

How has the outsourcing and insourcing affected your bottom line? Have you raised your prices to compensate? Have you increased sales and bookings with your new found enthusiasm and free time? You go girl!

And hey- just so no one gets the wrong idea here! I can't take all the credit! I may do quality control, but it's my team of editors that seriously rules!

Thanks for the kind words, ladies!

-Leon

That is very cool Sarah...and very inspiring. Thanks for all the tips.

This is a totally funny (and kind of odd) aside. I was cleaning my bathroom today, and a thought popped into my head. Wouldn't it be cool to be George W. Bush or Oprah or any rich person, who NEVER has to do these silly but necessary tasks! Think about how free your mind would be to be creative if you never had to think about shopping for dinner, cooking, cleaning, editing, answering e-mails etc! The funny part of that story is why in hell I was thinking about George W. Bush while I was cleaning the toilet. You can draw whatever conclusions naturally follow....Hehehe.

Sooooooooo, in a very roundabout way, this applies to Sarah's topic. Ask yourself how much time in the day (or better yet, start tracking it) you spend on menial tasks, and how much more money you could make, i.e. how many more people you could hire to outsource if the only time you had to put in was 100% creative!?

Thanks again Sarah. I will check out colorati too...what a concept actually!

G

Just in case people skipped over this.

A way to deal with this is to hire someone through an agency where the worker is actually an employee of the agency.

Telling someone that they're 1099 or not an employee is not enough.

Hello OSP world. This is my first post and it seams correct to me to be in this thread, let me know if I am wrong.

I wanted to let everyone here know about another option for your Post Production and Custom Editing. I own and operate Darkroom Today based out of San Diego CA. My clients love what I do for their digital files and the quick turnaround I offer (if I do say this myself.)

In a world full of options for your workflow it is best to be informed about everyone of them before making you choice.


Happy shooting!