Even if it is only an email conversation, you may end up wondering when they might get back to you with the answer to the last question you asked.

I am currently having a WordPress Theme designed for me by someone from elance who lives in Singapore. He is 7 hours ahead of GMT and communication is tricky.  I write an email and he writes back, what seems like 2 days later.

My partner often works in San Francisco – he is there now and so is 8 hours behind GMT.

At the moment I am using the WorldClock to make sure I know what time it is in San Francisco, Atlanta (I am working with someone there too) and in Singapore.  Here is my Personal World Clock. You can set one up to suit your needs.

eLance is an online marketplace where providers sell their skills – graphic design, programming, internet marketing or otherwise, and others specify their project requirements.

By using this resource you can benefit from the cheaper hourly rates that qualified providers in India, and Eastern Europe (for example), are currently offering.

Signing up is easy, and you can post your project for all providers to see and review. Providers will bid on the project and give you a review of their experience and samples of their work.

You can ask them questions to clarify any finer points, as they will too about your project.

Once this is done, and you have set up your payment method you can award the project to the bidder of your choice.

The types of project that can be easily outsourced at eLance are :

• Logo design
• Administration (virtual assistants)
• WordPress Themes
• Web Design
• Database Design
• SEO
• Article Writing