There are so many different components of a smoothly running business, it can be stressful for a company owner to try to oversee them all. While a good manager does keep an eye on every aspect of their business and communicate with all team members, too much multitasking is bad both for their business and their mental health. So what’s the solution? It’s rarely financially possible to hire someone to tend to every dimension of a business. A better option is to outsource to freelancers.
When to outsource, and when to hire in-house.
Deciding when to hire and when to outsource can be tricky. Some might say that you should only outsource for occasional work, but there are plenty of day-to-day tasks that can be performed as contract work. Others might view outsourcing as obviously preferable because it is cheaper, but this is not always accurate in the long-term. It’s usually preferable not to outsource jobs that pertain to the company’s core identity and functions. However, all these decisions often have to be made on a case-by-case basis. A cost-benefit analysis can help you decide, but even then, there are intangibles to be considered beyond material profit. And whether you opt to hire or outsource, remember that a worker who is well compensated is more likely to be reliable and committed for the long-term.
Work that can easily be outsourced.
This being said, there are certainly some functions that can be categorized as easily entrusted to outside companies or freelancers. Business owners who want to create a professional and effective marketing strategy would do well to hire a marketing consultant who will assist you as needed and provide a professional, specialized perspective on how best to market your product. Freelance accounting services also can be immensely helpful. You may only need your accountant a few times a year, but they can help your company save money while freeing you up to perform management tasks.
Web design, graphic design, and email marketing are also areas where you can benefit significantly from a freelancer’s expertise. For example, you can find qualified freelance professionals for email marketing services when you use online job boards where you can choose candidates based on their experience, rate, and reviews.
How to find a reliable freelancer.
Freelancing is becoming the new normal in many professions, so your problem may be less how to find a freelancer and more how to choose the best one for your company. Freelance websites are probably your best option for finding great freelancers, especially since you can read reviews and compare freelancer rates. But you may also be able to find good freelancers through colleges or even through your existing career or social network. When looking for a freelancer to hire, don’t focus exclusively on years of experience. Look also at professionalism, communication skills, and whether their values and principles align with those of your company.
Some other time-efficient and money-saving options for business owners.
Another option available for business owners trying to reduce their workload is to get acquainted with different software that can aid in administrative duties. For instance, using payroll software frees up a lot of our time and helps you avoid costly mistakes in this department. Communication software such as Slack and project management software such as Trello will make managing your business far easier and cost-efficient. For certain jobs, such as web design or cybersecurity, look for companies that provide specialized packages. You can also save on hiring a graphic designer when you use an online banner creator which allows you to customize a banner for your website or social media pages using professionally designed templates.
There’s no rule that says successful business owners have to do it all themselves. In fact, good management means knowing when to delegate and how to entrust specialized tasks to the right professionals.
