It is important to carefully select the approach for crowdsourcing in order to tailor it to suit the intended purpose and to appeal to the intended audience. After selection of the approach, there are various steps for crowdsourcing that must be followed to make sure that the process is successful.
There are two major approaches to crowdsourcing:
1. Formal Crowdsourcing
This type of crowdsourcing is highly organized and is structured. Nothing is left to chance in such an approach; every move must be carefully calculated. A facilitator oversees the connection of workers with potential projects and opportunities.
2. Informal Crowdsourcing
This is where crowdsourcing is done in a free manner, not entirely structured and organized. It is done sometimes without even realizing or thinking much about it. It also involves the use of social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter.

The kind of crowdsourcing approach taken depends greatly on the demanding situations one is likely to face as well as the present mission.  Crowdsourcing could be applied for researching the niche, getting response from valuable clients and gaining knowledge of new technological innovations. The methodology used for these different tasks cannot possibly be the same.

Steps for Crowdsourcing
1. Have a purpose.
It is important that a contractor gives out work knowing what he intends to achieve. There should be a set objective from the start of the process.
2. Find a business sponsor.
The contractor must put across his idea in such a way that will attract people to invest in the idea.
3. Have a humble outlook
One should believe in his ideas but must still be humble enough to acknowledge that others may have better ideas on the topic than him.
4. Select an appropriate crowd internally or externally
When picking a service provider or a group of service providers (a crowd). It is necessary to choose people that can execute your work well, those with pertinent experience.
5. Understand the crowd you have selected
It is key factor for the contractor to know what motivates his crowd, and for him to use the right ways to encourage participation and cooperation within the crowd.
6. Set a straightforward task
The contractor must set a task that is easy to understand and then put the crowd to work.

7. Facilitate the process
The person giving the work must play an active role in the process, monitoring the program and giving direction.
8. Harvest
The contractor has to harvest the pool of ideas generated and the work done then give feedback and give awards.
Apart from the steps listed above, when crowdsourcing one should always make sure he knows and abides by the set laws governing the field. It is also important to think about the timing of the entire project and to offer the right incentives to the services providers in order to secure their undivided attention. All the above listed factors if put into consideration, will lead to successful crowdsourcing projects and initiatives on the web.