When it comes to growing your business, it’s not just about what you can do yourself but also the team you have to support you. However, not everyone can afford to hire an in-house team for all the tasks involved in running a growing business. If this sounds like you, it may be time to consider outsourcing some of your business tasks. Outsourcing is not only a smart financial move, but it also allows you to maintain flexibility and improve the quality of your work while freeing up your own time. Let’s explore why, how, and when to outsource.
When is the right time to outsource?
The earlier, the better if you can afford it. When you start your business, there are numerous tasks to complete and limited time. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by these tasks and neglect the activities that will truly drive your business forward. To avoid wasting time, consider outsourcing them to a team of freelancers.
If you feel overwhelmed and stuck, then it’s definitely time to start outsourcing. Otherwise, you’re holding yourself back from growth. As a business owner, there are tasks that you excel at, so stop wasting time on aspects that others can easily handle.
Why should you outsource?
As a business owner, your time is valuable, and you should invest it in tasks that will propel your business forward. Additionally, you deserve to have free time. You didn’t start your own business to work every waking hour. In fact, having more free time is beneficial for your business. You come up with great ideas and do your best work when you’re not stressed and anxious.
When you try to do everything yourself, you become a jack of all trades and a master of none. Outsourcing tasks to professionals ensures higher quality work with fewer mistakes, leading to happier clients and a better reputation.
Deciding which activities to outsource
The tasks you should outsource depend on your specific business. For example, copywriters often outsource their accounting, and vice versa.
A helpful way to decide which tasks to outsource is by asking yourself, “If I could only do three things today, what would they be?” Additionally, if there’s a task you dread, it may be time to consider outsourcing it. You’ll always work harder and produce better results in tasks you enjoy.
Start by listing all the tasks that need to be done and ask yourself, “Does this directly affect the growth or success of my business?” If the answer is no, it’s probably not worth your time and can be outsourced. Prioritize your list based on relevance, and start by outsourcing the low-priority tasks.
Some examples of commonly outsourced tasks include accounting, bookkeeping, legal services, web design, social media management, public relations, graphic design, and administrative tasks.
Finding reliable freelancers and contractors
To find reliable freelancers or contractors, ask for recommendations from fellow business owners. Working with professionals who have experience in your industry is a good idea. Platforms like LinkedIn, Google, and Facebook are also useful for finding freelancers.
Shop around and get an idea of pricing to set a benchmark. You don’t want to overpay, but be cautious of freelancers who charge extremely low rates, as they may not deliver quality work.
Conclusion
If you’re struggling to keep up with the demands of your growing business, it’s time to consider outsourcing some tasks. Outsourcing allows you to free up time for growth-related activities and ensures that important tasks are completed on time and to a high standard.
Start by prioritizing urgent tasks, but don’t neglect other important tasks like bookkeeping or marketing materials. Many business owners are hesitant to outsource because they fear losing control, but in reality, outsourcing gives you more control over your business, time, and money.
