From Solo to Supported: How Delegating Can Lead To Business Growth
The solo struggle is all too real for many freelancers and small business owners. On the one hand, you can be your own boss, which is very freeing. But on the other hand, it means wearing many hats and handling every strand of your business, from marketing to finances.
When you only have one pair of hands and a limited number of hours in the day, flying solo can end up being limiting.
If you feel you’ve hit a bit of a wall and have no room to grow your business, delegating tasks might just be the way forward.
Here’s why…
Let go of control to gain some growth
It’s natural to want to oversee all areas of your business to make sure you’re delivering the exact quality and level of service you’re proud of — after all, it’s your name and reputation on the line! However, sometimes the most effective way to grow your business is by letting go of some control.
One of the best ways to approach this is to seek help. Remember, delegating tasks doesn’t mean your involvement in the business is any less valid. It shows that you care about providing the best service possible to your customers and clients.
Is it time to delegate? Signs you might benefit from outsourcing
Running a business as a solopreneur requires a lot of time, physical energy, and mental bandwidth. When you’re running low on one of these, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.
If any of the following seem familiar, perhaps it’s time to think about delegating some tasks…
You’re burnt out, feeling exhausted by your workload and its mental or emotional strain.
Your business has plateaued — perhaps your client list, customer base, or income has stayed the same for a while, but you know there’s more you can tap into. Even if you’re ticking along with enough to pay your bills, you’re unable to get past a certain point.
You’re managing to keep on top of one side of the business, but other aspects, such as marketing or social media, have fallen by the wayside.
You’re experiencing bottlenecks in your workflow, which are preventing you from being as efficient as you’d like or from taking on new opportunities.
You’ve had to stop projects or not take work on because you’ve found yourself falling behind on deadlines.
How to start delegating tasks
When you’re deep in a cycle of overworking and burnout, it can be difficult to see a way out, particularly if you don’t have the budget to hire a second team member full-time.
The good news is that delegation comes in different forms, and virtual assistants are available to help out on a freelance basis, taking on any overflow tasks you can’t manage.
They can also support you in any areas that are holding you back from the next stage of your business development.
Delegation might look a little different for every business, but in general, a virtual assistant can help out with:
Admin, to free up your time so you can focus on other areas of your business.
Social media content and scheduling to support outreach and help you grow your customer base.
Client and customer communications to build great relationships (and chase any late payments so you don’t need to worry!)
Email management and automation to get your newsletter doing the rounds and encourage returning customers.
E-commerce management, which involves tasks like updating your online shop’s inventory and uploading new products.
General troubleshooting to help you avoid being bogged down by technical issues.
All of these tasks may seem small, but don’t underestimate how much time they take up when it’s just you! By outsourcing jobs like these to a virtual assistance service, your opportunities for growth will increase.
You may also worry about the cost, but the investment is well worth it for the peace of mind and the freedom it brings to your calendar. Plus, through business growth, the return on investment is sure to pay back in dividends.
Get ready to grow through delegation
Outsourcing may seem like an unnecessary expense for solo business owners, but when you hire a virtual assistant, you can delegate tasks that would otherwise take up precious time and energy.
Delegation doesn’t mean losing control of your business operations. Instead, it opens up space for a more enjoyable way of working and provides an opportunity for growth.
If you’d like to learn more about how virtual assistant services can help you, feel free to get in touch to have a chat.
