Conquer the Fear of Outsourcing: How to Maintain Control of Your Business While Delegating Tasks
Running a small business can be overwhelming, and it's easy to fall into the trap of trying to do everything yourself. But as your business grows, it's important to recognize that you can't do it all on your own. That's where outsourcing comes in. Outsourcing is the process of hiring outside professionals to handle certain tasks or projects that you can't do or don't have time for. However, for some small business owners, the idea of outsourcing can be scary.
Being fearful of outsourcing as a small creative business owner is totally normal. If you've always done everything on your own, and you have full control of your business, it's totally normal to be worried about bringing someone else into that.
The benefits of outsourcing absolutely overtake the negatives, I promise you. Here are some ideas on how you can overcome that fear of the unknown.
The Benefits of Outsourcing and Why it's Essential for Scaling Your Business
Outsourcing is a total a game-changer for businesses looking to scale up without breaking the bank. It offers so many benefits that can help streamline operations and boost productivity.
One of the key advantages of outsourcing is cost efficiency. By delegating tasks to external experts, businesses can save on overhead costs associated with hiring and training in-house staff. Additionally, outsourcing allows access to a global talent pool, enabling companies to tap into specialized skills that may not be readily available locally.
When it comes to scaling your business, outsourcing plays a key role. It allows you to focus on the things you need to do while delegating the everyday admin tasks and things you don’t know how to do to experienced professionals.
Start off with small tasks
One way to ease into outsourcing is by starting off with small tasks. By doing so, you can dip your toes in the water and gradually build trust. This approach allows you to understand their capabilities and see if they align with your expectations.
Whether it's admin work, graphic design, or copywriting, beginning with smaller projects gives you the opportunity to test the waters without overwhelming yourself. As you see successful outcomes and gain confidence in the process, you’ll be able to grow these tasks
Start with a trial period
By starting with a trial period, you can try it out first and see if the working relationship is a good fit for both parties. It allows you to understand eachothers working processes, communication style, and reliability before fully committing.
You'll have the opportunity to assess whether your outsourced freelancer meets the expectations and delivers quality work. If things don't go as planned during the trial period, you can part ways without any long-term commitments.
Have clear communication methods
When it comes to outsourcing, clear communication is key. To ensure smooth collaboration, be clear with your expectations and project requirements from the start. Clearly define goals, deadlines, and deliverables. Regularly check-in with your freelancer to provide feedback and address any questions or concerns.
Utilize various communication tools and methods to stay connected with your outsourced team. From email and slack to video calls and project management software - find what works best for both parties involved.
Remember that open lines of communication enable trust and help everyone involved to work towards a common goal. So don't underestimate the power of clear communication when outsourcing tasks or projects.
Create SOPs
SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) are like the secret sauce that keeps everything running smoothly when working with freelancers. They provide clear guidelines and instructions on how tasks should be completed, ensuring consistency and quality in the work delivered.
Having clear SOPs has numerous benefits. Firstly, it saves time and effort by eliminating guesswork. Freelancers will know exactly what is expected of them, reducing back-and-forth communication and potential misunderstandings.
Secondly, SOPs help maintain consistency in your brand voice and style across different projects. By providing detailed instructions on tone, formatting, and other specific requirements, you can ensure that all outsourced work aligns seamlessly with your existing content.
Take time to find the right person
It's important to take the time to find the right person for the job. Finding the right freelancer or outsourced worker for you is so important, because you’ll need to build a strong relationship. There are plenty of platforms and resources available that can help you connect with talented individuals who can meet your specific needs.
Remember, outsourcing is not just about finding someone who can get the job done. It's about finding someone who understands your business goals and values and can align their work with them. Take the time to thoroughly review portfolios, read reviews, and have conversations with potential candidates before making your decision.
Embrace the benefits
Lastly, remember to embrace and enjoy the benefits of outsourcing! You'll find that you have a lot more free time to focus on the things that really matter to you in your business, and you can also get back some of your work/life balance.
Working with a professional freelancer has so many benefits, and remember that they have a lot to bring to the table too! Be open to their suggestions, embrace their skills and encourage their involvement in your business.
Empower your business by overcoming the fear of outsourcing while retaining control over your operations. It's possible, I promise you, and it will help your business grow so much!
L x
Laura, Creative Virtual Assistant at Kelp Collective