Running a business on your own can be rewarding but overwhelming too. Solopreneurs often find themselves juggling a variety of jobs such as marketing, sales, administration and/ or customer service. The idea of delegating work to a freelancer can seem daunting.
However, learning to delegate allows you to focus on what you do best while making the most of other people’s expertise. The joy of operating from your zone of genius is probably why you set out in business.
So whatever you need to super charge your productivity, be it content creation, social media management, project management, book-keeping, marketing or business administration, let us explore the benefits, challenges and steps to effectively delegate your work.
The Solopreneur’s Dilemma
I know that driven by passion and ambition, you have had to learn a wide range of skills to keep your business running; intentionally or unintentionally. However, the downside of having too many pans on the boil is the risk of burnout and inefficiency. While the idea of bringing a freelancer on board might make you uneasy, it can significantly ease your workload and help your business to grow.
The Benefits of Delegating to a Freelancer
- Time Management: “There are not enough hours in my day”, I hear you saying. By delegating urgent tasks that are somewhat important, you can free up valuable time to focus on strategic aspects of your business that solely depend on you.
- Expertise: Freelancers often have specialised skills that can improve the quality of your work. Even more, you do not spend time learning everything and the return on investment is likely to give your business that extra edge.
- Flexibility: Hiring freelancers provides flexibility without the long-term commitment of full-time employees.
- Cost-Effective: Freelancers can be a cost-effective solution as you pay for their services only when needed.
- Scalability: As your business grows, freelancers can help you scale operations without the overhead costs. However, being able to coordinate their services to ensure your business runs like a well-oiled machine is key and this too can be delegated to an Online Business Manager.
Overcoming Common Fears
- Loss of control: It is natural to fear losing control over aspects of your business. I mean, in most cases, this is your baby. To manage this anxiety, establish clear guidelines and maintain regular communication.
- Quality concerns: Worrying about the quality of work is common. The urge to quickly do it yourself can be commonplace and it is very likely that it will not be done exactly as you would have it, especially in the beginning. Sit with the discomfort of this duo dilemma and start with small tasks to assess the freelancer’s capabilities before assigning more critical work. It pays off eventually. Imagine the possibilities from being able to extend your capacity!
- Trust issues: Building trust takes time. Seek referrals from other trusted entrepreneurs in your network and consider starting with a trial period to build confidence.
- Cost anxiety: Concerns about costs can be relieved by setting clear budgets and discussing rates upfront with the freelancer. Additionally, thinking about it as an investment more than a cost sets your mind up for winning.
By overcoming fears, setting clear expectations, and building a strong working relationship, you can effectively harness the power of external talent.
Journey to successful delegation
- Identify Tasks to Delegate: List out tasks that are repetitive, time-consuming or outside of your expertise.
- Find the Right Freelancer: Consult your network for referrals and connect with freelancers on social media to get a feel of them. Most offer a free discovery call for you both to explore if you would be a perfect fit.
- Define Clear Objectives: Clearly outline the scope of work, deadlines, and expected outcomes.
- Communicate Effectively: Maintain open lines of communication. Use online tools like Trello, Asana or Slack to delegate and monitor progress.
- Start Small: Begin with a small project or a few hours to test the waters. This helps build trust and assess the freelancer’s fit for your business.
- Set up payment terms: Agree on payment terms and schedules before starting the work. Never engage a freelancer without a mutually agreed written agreement in place.
- Review and Adjust: Regularly review the freelancer’s work and provide constructive feedback. Be open to adjustments to improve the working relationship.
- Building a Long-Term Relationship: Establishing a strong relationship with a freelancer can lead to long-term benefits. Treat freelancers as part of your team, show appreciation for their work, and provide opportunities for growth. A loyal freelancer will be more invested in your business success and deliver high-quality work consistently.
Tools to ease delegation
Some useful technology for streamlining the delegation process includes:
- Project management tools help in organising tasks and tracking progress.
- Communication tools facilitate seamless communication.
- File sharing platforms make it easy to share and collaborate on documents.
Given that it is technology, this is a forever advancing space and I am sure there is a few more I have not mentioned here. Including industry specific tools and platforms. Embracing technology is a non-negotiable in this age. You do not have to be an expert but neither do you have to bury your head in the sand over this.
In conclusion, delegating work to a freelancer can elevate your solopreneur journey, enabling you to achieve more without the risk of burnout. By overcoming fears, setting clear expectations, and building a strong working relationship, you can effectively harness the power of external talent for your business.
Remember, the key to successful delegation is trust and communication. Take the leap and watch your business soar. This is the stuff that productivity, efficiency and effectiveness is made of.
