If the term ‘freelancer’ is synonymous with a one-person band in your mind, then you’re not alone. Balancing all the essential tasks of a small business owner can be a challenge. But you don’t have to go it alone forever.

Outsourcing can alleviate pressure, free up time, and allow you to focus on the parts of your business that you really love and want to grow.

The good news is that outsourcing isn’t just for big companies — it could be a more accessible option than you might first think. With this in mind, let’s take a look at what and when to outsource as a freelancer.

What tasks should freelancers outsource first?

Every business is different, so the daily tasks you focus on may be different from those of other freelancers in your field. However, there are a few jobs that are pretty consistent across the board, whether you sell products online, work in a B2B sector, or offer direct-to-consumer services.

Among these are some tasks that are highly suitable for outsourcing:

Administrative tasks, such as email management, data entry, and calendar management.
Social media and marketing, from content creation to scheduling and replying to comments.
Financial services, including bookkeeping and tax return preparation.
Business operations, from customer support to market research.
eCommerce support, such as uploading products and updating your inventory.

These are necessary parts of business management that can be time-consuming and prevent you from focusing on the areas that need your unique skills to grow your business.

When to outsource as a freelancer

There’s no set time to start outsourcing tasks. It all depends on your business and preferences. You might feel that hiring an accountant as soon as you launch your business is the best way to stay on top of financial management, for example. On the other hand, you might start out writing your own blog for a year or so and then choose to outsource to a copywriter.

Not sure if it’s time to outsource? Ask yourself:

Do you realistically have time to continue with a particular task?
Is it within your expertise?
Do you enjoy the task?
If somebody else took it on for you, would your business suffer?

If the answer to any of these is no, it could be time to outsource

8 signs you need a virtual assistant

Who can you outsource to? Well, a virtual assistant (VA) is a great place to start. VAs are well-versed in spinning lots of plates and ensuring small tasks get completed without losing sight of the big picture.

A virtual assistant can be a wonderful asset for freelancers in a variety of industries, especially those who relate to the following points:

You feel overwhelmed and close to burnout

If you’re working long hours, feeling exhausted, and finding that your work-life balance is tipping out of whack, a virtual assistant can alleviate some of the pressure and give you some breathing room.

Your inbox is chaotic

From client queries to an influx of spam emails, subscription confirmations, and calendar invites, staying on top of your email invoice can feel like a full-time role at times. A virtual assistant will keep it tidy, organise correspondence into folders, and make sure you don’t miss any vital messages. Learn more about managing your inbox when you’re too busy to breathe.

You feel as though you’re always putting out fires

When your time and attention are split across a hundred different tasks, mistakes happen, and things can start to fall through the net. This leaves you constantly playing catch-up and resolving problems.

With a VA on your team, you can prevent problems from arising in the first place. You’ll have more time and focus to put into the areas you want to put your all into.

Deadlines are getting missed

Have you found yourself panicking because you realise you missed a deadline? Perhaps work on your own website is getting postponed more and more, until it eventually falls off the to-do list altogether.

This is a clear sign you have too much on your plate, and may need a virtual assistant to help you stay on top of everything.

You’re missing opportunities

Too much time spent on admin, scheduling, and uploading means less time exploring new opportunities. If you could save time with the help of a freelancer, it could open up time and energy to take on new projects, head to networking events, or upskill.

See how else delegating can lead to business growth.

Your social media is being neglected

With 96% of small businesses including social media in their marketing strategy, chances are it’s a part of yours. But there’s no point having social media profiles if they’re not being used.

Social platforms can be a valuable tool for building brand recognition and leads, but when you’re already focusing on so many other areas, regular posting is often one of the first tasks to fall off the radar. A virtual assistant can help by managing your social profiles, scheduling or uploading posts, replying to comments, and even conducting outreach on your behalf.

You can’t keep up with client or customer communication

As you may already be aware, the cost of acquiring new customers can be up to five times higher than the cost to retain existing ones. So continuing to nurture current client or customer relationships is vital.

Of course, the odd email slips through the net — these things happen. But if you’ve got clients consistently chasing you for answers or updates, it’s another clear sign that you don’t have time to keep up with that essential rapport.

Here’s where a VA can help. They can handle customer liaison for you or take on other tasks so you can dedicate time to your clients yourself.

You’ve lost your passion because you’re bogged down with admin

You may be thinking that you can technically handle all aspects of your admin yourself. However, if it causes a sinking feeling, then maybe outsourcing to a virtual assistant is the right call. Not just for your business growth, but for your wellbeing, too. One of the joys of freelance life is the fact that you can create a business and a working day that you truly love and are passionate about.

Don’t let that spark go out.

It’s okay to need help with your business

It’s very common to find yourself doing too much as a freelancer. You may feel pressure to handle every single task yourself, even if it leads to burnout.

8 clear signs you’re ready to outsource as a freelancer