Imagine this: You’re in the middle of a crucial project when technology issues arise and you’re in a queue for a 24-houre reply from the platform support. Ugh. Or perhaps your go-to graphic designer is vacationing on some island in the Caribbean, and you’ve got changes you need to your graphics for an ad campaign that’s scheduled to launch.

These unexpected hiccups can throw a wrench in your business. That’s why having backup experts on standby isn’t just a safety net—it’s a smart strategy. By building a network of reliable freelancers, you ensure that your business can handle surprises without missing a beat. In this article, we’ll explore why having backup experts is essential and how to build a list of stand-ins, so you have them when you need them.

Imagine this: You’re in the final stretch of a big project, the deadline is looming, and suddenly, your number one person is unavailable. Panic sets in, right? Not if you’ve got backup experts a click away. They can step in when things go sideways, handling critical tasks with ease and saving you from project delays or scrambling to find help last minute. They’re not just a safety net—they’re your go-to solution for keeping everything on track.

Let’s start with risk mitigation. When things go south, backup experts act as your safety net. They step in during those nail-biting moments when disruptions are most likely to rear their ugly heads.

Instead of spiraling into chaos, a backup expert can seamlessly step in to carry the baton. Having a list of qualified freelancers you can hire at a  moment’s notice ensures that unforeseen hiccups don’t bring your operations to a screeching halt.

Now, consider maintaining continuity. It’s like having an understudy for your star performer—just in case. Backup talent ensures seamless operations by stepping in smoothly when primary resources are unavailable or swamped with other duties.

Their presence prevents productivity from grinding to a halt and keeps your business’s rhythm steady, even when the unexpected occurs.

In essence, these alternates transform potential disruptions into mere speed bumps rather than roadblocks, ensuring that your business journey continues uninterrupted and successful, no matter what challenges arise.

Here’s the thing. You may not know when you’re going to need extra help. There are a few scenarios that could catch you off guard:

• You land your whale client but don’t have all the manpower to handle all the work.
• Your go-team of contractors, vendors or freelancers are too busy to take on extra work right now.
• You had a virtual assistant who is starting a family and decided to take a break from work (can’t blame them, right?)

You don’t want to take the chance or work with someone whose work product doesn’t match the level of quality that you demand for your brand.

I can’t stress how important it is to have several different people with different skillsets that you can literally tap into any time you need them. The thing is, you’ve got to do the work to put that list together before you need the help as it requires a significant amount of time to research and vet a pool of talent so you can narrow it down to the perfect fit.

You don’t need to put freelancers on retainer or even have deposits on file with them. No, what you want to do is use the freelancer platforms like Fiverr and Upwork and start reviewing one category at a time. Make a list of all the people you’d like to have available for help. Then prioritize that list and start your search.

Personally, I’ve been known to scan about 50 profiles and see who matches my criteria. Then I narrow down to the top 10 and from there I decide who I want to outreach to and start a conversation. It’s usually around 4-6 but if I don’t like their answers, or if they don’t answer at all, I’ll move to the others I had on my top 10 list.

I’ve actually done this many times when I want to make sure I have a good list for project I have on my roadmap or when clients have asked about their future projects. For instance, I’ve yet to start a podcast but it’s been on the “like to have” for a few years now. At one point, I put a list of podcast editors together and now I’ve got several that I can order from when I’m ready.

Maybe you’ve got plans for a series of whitepapers, a YouTube channel, or putting an online program together. Start when you can and put a list of experts together so when you’re ready to take that next step, you’ll have the resources you need to pull it altogether.

Then just rinse and repeat with each category of experts: social media – check, webmaster – check, video editor, check, VA- check. You get my point. This isn’t just for future projects, it’s important to have backups for the team you have now in case anything happens. Take my word for it. I’ve heard too many times “they just disappeared and now I’m screwed.” Don’t let that be you.

Business just like life can be unpredictable. But you can be prepared. With the number of expert freelancers there are to choose from, you have anyone you need at your fingertips. And while I didn’t even mention cost, that’s where you’ll likely get a pleasant surprise. There are so many budget-friendly freelancers that have top notch skills, I can guarantee you can find who you need within pretty much any budget.

Ready to fortify your operations with top-tier backup talent? Download our free guide, “Outsource with Confidence,” and unlock a wealth of insights on finding and collaborating with the best in the business. With the right experts in your corner, nothing can stand in your way!