Do you run your promo business on your own? The U.S. is home to about 41 million solopreneurs just like you. While most say they want to keep their business small (82%) and more than half prefer working alone (56%), outsourcing some tasks can help solo business owners free up their time, energy and resources to do what they do best.
More entrepreneurs are becoming open to outsourcing some tasks, with 6 in 10 saying they plan to hire help this year. They say they’re looking to hand off some work to grow their business (76%), get some of their time back (65%) and benefit from expertise they don’t have (48%).
Wondering what you might be able to outsource as a solo promo pro? Writer Jamie Johnson contributed a piece for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that covers the tasks entrepreneurs may want to outsource to improve their company’s efficiency. We share her ideas in this issue of PromoPro Daily.
- Administrative tasks. If you’re new to outsourcing, this might be a good jumping-off point. These tasks tend to be repetitive, and while they have to get done, Johnson says you don’t need to be the one doing them. Consider outsourcing calendar management or scheduling social media posts.
- Marketing. You might not want to hand over your marketing to a specialist, but Johnson says there can be many benefits to doing so. Marketing trends can change quickly, and it can be difficult to keep up. She recommends reviewing your marketing goals and objectives and researching marketing agencies or professionals who have the skills you need.
- Customer service. Many solopreneurs don’t have the bandwidth to provide superior customer service while managing all their other responsibilities. Think about what your clients want. For example, would they benefit from a multilingual customer service specialist or someone who can respond in real time via chat? Customer service is too important to neglect or do half-heartedly.
- Accounting. When you outsource tasks like bookkeeping and tax preparation, Johnson says you will likely save your business time and money. Companies often have complex tax filing requirements, and mistakes or late payments can result in costly fees.
- Human resources. If you decide to bring on employees, managing them can quickly become a full-time job itself. It starts with recruiting and interviewing and then continues with administering benefits and ensuring they get paid on time. As your business grows, Johnson recommends outsourcing your HR tasks to either a personal employer organization or a human resources provider.
Whether you occasionally enlist help or regularly work with contractors, outsourcing can be one of the best ways to help you achieve your business goals.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Jamie Johnson is a Kansas City-based freelance writer who specializes in writing about small business and finance.