If you’re running a business and your to-do list is overwhelming, outsourcing some of those tasks will save you time, money, and stress.
As a business owner or entrepreneur, you need to keep your costs down wherever possible. And so you do everything. You run the operational side, you do your own bookkeeping, you arrange your own schedule, you do your own marketing, and write your own copy.
As a result, you may well feel overwhelmed, exhausted and like there is not enough time in the day.
Hiring a freelancer actually saves you money – and time
Outsourcing some of that work can feel like an unnecessary expense, when you can do it yourself. And anyway, you need to be involved in every aspect of your business to make sure it’s all being done to your standards, right?
But is it really an expense? And will your work be the best quality?
In certain situations, outsourcing some of your to-do list makes sound financial sense.
As a business person, time is your greatest asset. There probably aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything you need to do. So if you can gain time by handing over some of the work to a freelancer, why wouldn’t you?
If you’re resistant to the idea, consider this: whatever your work, you know that you need to earn a certain amount to pay the bills and live the lifestyle you want to live.
If you have a monthly or annual figure in mind, break that rate down to an hourly rate.
For argument’s sake, let’s say you need (or want) to make $100 dollars an hour. Now let’s say you do the bookkeeping, accounting, or blog writing yourself.
You’re basically paying $100 an hour to get these jobs done.
And every hour you spend on these tasks is an hour that you’re not available to deal with other essential aspects of your business – aspects that will bring on that desired $100 an hour.
But if you outsource these tasks to a freelance bookkeeper, accountant, or blog writer, who charges, say, $50 an hour, then you’re only getting the job done for half the cost, you’re also freeing up needed time in your schedule.
Added benefits of hiring a freelancer
- We all do work we enjoy faster than the work we don’t enjoy. So if you dislike those tasks, they probably end up taking you longer than they should. And you’re paying yourself over the odds to do them yourself.
- You’re an entrepreneur or business owner. Administrative tasks or blog writing may not be your strong point. It makes sense to let someone who is a professional in the field do the work. They will do it better – and faster.
- When we try to do everything ourselves, we tackle the easier tasks first, and procrastinate over the trickier ones. And so they sit there, like a dark cloud at the bottom of the to-do list, never letting you fully relax or feel you are on top of things. Handing those jobs to a third party, and knowing that they will do the job well and on time takes a huge weight off your mind.
So where do you find freelancers to outsource those jobs to?
There are many options but the main ones are:
Freelancer platforms: Sites like Upwork, Fiverr and Freelancer allow you to search for freelancers of every hue, from web developers and graphic designers to virtual assistants and translators. Or you can post your own needs and choose from those that respond. Some offer very low rates, but you’re likely to get what you pay for.
Social media: Search on LinkedIn or Twitter for people in the right profession or with expertise in the area you need, or post in Facebook Groups dedicated to those professions.
Referrals: Ask friends, family and colleagues to refer you to people they have worked with and trust.
Google search: Most established freelancers have their own online presence, so whether you are searching for someone who is located geographically close to you, or you want someone with specific industry knowledge, a Google search will bring up plenty of options.
If it’s a copywriter, content writer, or editor you need, I can help! You can get in touch with me here.