Growing a Business
Guide to outsourcing for small business owners
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If you’re anything like me, you’re a busy entrepreneur who gets so caught up in her tasks she often forgets to eat, let alone go on vacation. Though I’ve been trying to get better about this in recent years, I’m still really bad about not outsourcing small business tasks, and instead taking on all the things and doing them myself.
But, as I’ve been reminded time and time again, I’m not Superwoman. The reality is we can’t do it all, and we shouldn’t try to because when we do it’s the fast track to entrepreneur burnout. Nobody wants that.
I certainly don’t!
So, let’s talk about outsourcing for small business owners. While outsourcing and delegating can feel scary, it doesn’t have to.
To get some real-world perspectives on outsourcing, I went straight to the experts — entrepreneurs just like you and me — for their top tips on letting it go.
How to know when it’s time to outsource
You might be thinking the best time to outsource is when:
- You’ve got plenty of money
- You have more work than you know what to do with and/or
- You’re unable to take on more clients because your schedule is packed
But, perhaps the better time to outsource is right away! The sooner the better.
Anton Giuroiu, founder of Homesthetics.net, recommends that you outsource any task that jeopardizes your ability to do the things that only you can do immediately. “For example, if accounting and bookkeeping tasks rob me of precious time that I could have spent in executive decision-making, then it’s time to outsource or delegate that task,” he says.
You shouldn’t wait on outsourcing small business tasks that take up mental bandwidth you need for the bigger picture. Put another way, the sooner you start outsourcing and delegating, the sooner you can focus on the ideas and action items that can help your business grow and make more revenue in the long run.
Ravi Davda, CEO of Rockstar Marketing agrees with Giuroiu. “I have a simple rule: Outsource everything that costs $10 or less. Whether that’s cleaning, social media management, admin work, or anything else. This is a great place to start. You can get great VAs for this price. Then, increase this to $15 or $20. For me, the best time to outsource is straight away, as terrifying as this may sound. The benefits are worth it,” he says.
You might not want to wait until you have “plenty” of capital either.
Aseem Kishore, founder of Help Desk Geek, says the best time to outsource is actually when you’re having financial issues. The reason? It’s a more economical way to handle business operations. Kishore explains that managers and executives often have too much on their plate, and when they can outsource certain tasks, they can alleviate the work pressure.
Think about it: When you’re earning $50/hour, if you can delegate the less labor intensive tasks at even half that hourly rate, you’re able to take back that time and earn more money overall for your business.
According to Christopher Pappas of eLearning Industry Inc., the reason you need to start working on outsourcing and delegating as soon as possible is because it could take time to find the help you need.
“It will take time to find the right vendor or workers for your needs, so resist the urge to hire the first person you speak with. Even if they turn out to be the best option, compare and contrast their strengths with those of other providers. Spend some time looking around on outsourcing websites as well,” he says. “Choose a company specializing in exactly what you require; you want their strengths to match your objectives. When deciding with whom to begin a business relationship, numerous factors to consider. Of course, a reasonable price will influence your decision, but that isn’t the only consideration.”
Eden Cheng of PeopleFinderFree says the first thing to do when you’re considering delegating is to determine whether the task should be delegated, automated, or eliminated. “Otherwise, you just end up adding more costs to your business and wasting your hard-earned cash. For example, if you need to handle social media posting, you can always use a tool like Hootsuite to help schedule your social media posts in advance,” she says. “Or, if it’s something that can be eliminated without much consequence, like weekly client reports, then you don’t need to try delegating the task out.”
Related: Capital options for sole proprietors
How to determine which tasks should be delegated
Jonathan Tian of Mobitrix says the best tasks to delegate are the ones that are unrelated to your core business but take up a lot of your time.
“For example, a retail business dealing in household items can outsource data backup maintenance, accounting, and tax filing. These tasks are often best suited for professionals, and hiring an in-house one can be very costly,” he says. “Performing them on your own can also limit your business growth, hence the need to outsource. They can take up valuable resources which you can channel towards growing the business as well.”
There are so many tasks you can delegate to someone else. Here’s a list of tasks to consider outsourcing:
- Taxes and/or bookkeeping
- Transcription
- Media and publicity assistance
- Help getting on podcasts/finding podcast guests
- Writing press releases and/or submitting them to media outlets
- Audio and video editing
- Copywriting
- Websites
- Blogs
- Newsletters, and more
- Social media
- Invoicing/accounts payable/accounts receivable
- IT assistance/troubleshooting/networking
- Virtual receptionist
- Appointment setting and/or calendar management
- Event planning
- Inventory management
- Personal shopping
- Research
- Writing reports
- Graphic Design
This is far from an exhaustive list, but it should get you thinking about the possibilities.
On the flip side, there are a few tasks you should not outsource. According to Vaibhav Kakkar, CEO of Digital Web Solutions, “Any areas of your corporation that will instantly impact customers should not be outsourced. Although some companies do well by hiring vendors for customer service or sales, it’s a risky venture that small businesses or businesses in transition can’t afford.”
Carter Seuthe, CEO of Credit Summit, seconds this, and adds, “If the task you are outsourcing could have an impact on your reputation and something goes wrong, you’ll be left in a difficult position. This is why I prefer to only outsource the most routine, basic, in-the-background work.”
Their advice for tasks like these is to hire a staff member rather than a virtual assistant or independent contractor.
When someone is working directly with you full time, or even part time, they are more likely to have a greater level of care for the tasks at hand.
This won’t be just one of many things they do. Instead, they will have a higher vested interest in keeping the customers and their employer happy.
How to find reputable outsourcing help
Once you’re ready to finally start loosening the grip you have on your to-do list, the next logical step is determining where to find help.
Personally, when I was first looking into outsourcing and delegating aspects of my content creation business, I went to Upwork and Fiverr on the recommendation of entrepreneurs that I mastermind and network with. Sometimes looking for help this way can take a while, but I’ve had pretty good luck finding the people I need when I need them.
I’ve found many people are eager to work, especially amidst the pandemic because they want to have the freedom to stay at home.
Heather Welch of Ukelele Tabs says she prefers freelance platforms like Upwork as well because individuals looking for work often have portfolios online. “This way, I can see past work and get a better idea on what to expect when I do decide to work with a specific freelancer.”
For Dalila Rodriguez, who runs a public relations company, she looks for talent on LinkedIn, whereas Shane and Jocelyn Sams of Flipped Lifestyle and many online business owners like them have been known to post their independent contractor opportunities on Facebook.
The key with using social media to find help is to have thorough job descriptions and a lengthy vetting process, but this process works and can yield decent results.
Pro Tip: If you want to use a freelancing platform, stick with only one
Hutch Ashoo who runs Pillar Wealth Management, says if you choose to use a website such as Upwork, Freelancer.com, or People Per Hour, to only stick with one of them. “Using many sites can make things (i.e. contracts, tasks, the people you’re working with) more difficult to maintain, but if you use only one, it’s simple to manage all of your tasks from a single location.”
Melissa Smith, Founder and CEO of The Association of Virtual Assistants says, “Look for talent on LinkedIn, in your peer groups, and where the person would likely spend time online. For instance, if you want assistance with your Instagram [profile] it would make sense that the virtual assistant would spend a good bit of time on IG.”
Pro Tip: If you’re struggling to find help on your own, consider an agency
Some entrepreneurs use agencies to find virtual assistants and contractors they can hire by the hour or even by the task, and there are hundreds of agencies to choose from. So, how do you choose?
It boils down to a few basic questions:
- What is their reputation?
- Can you speak to past clients/do they have testimonials or reviews?
- How’s their success rate?
- What is the fee?
- How much of the fee actually goes to the person doing the work?
- Where is the agency located? (Some businesses prefer to only work with agencies in the U.S. whereas others only want to hire help in other countries.)
- Do you personally know anyone who has used the agency? If so, what was their experience like?
- How do the contracts work?
- What’s the exit strategy like?
- What happens when you are ready to move on/let the help go?
Bottom line: Regardless of how you go about finding virtual assistants and/or independent contractors for outsourcing and delegating tasks, do your homework. Don’t just hire the first person at the rate you’re looking for.
Once you find someone to work with, the next question is how to delegate tasks to them.
How to delegate your tasks
Malte Scholz, CEO and CPO of Airfocus, says the key with outsourcing and delegating is to make sure the tasks you assign are “straightforward and easy to complete without constant supervision. You want [people] to be independent and save you time. If you have to explain every single thing, you aren’t really benefiting in the process.”
Nick Chernets, SEO of Data for SEO seconds this and adds, “One of the most common issues with outsourcing is the lack of understanding which leads to multiple mistakes. Instead of saving time, you risk spending hours explaining the task to the freelancer. That’s why you have to prepare detailed guidelines ahead of time and make sure they are easy to follow.”
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve personally ever heard for giving thorough instructions to a freelancer is to film yourself doing the task and then write out the steps you took.
This way, your independent contractor will have both visual and written cues for how to complete the task themselves.
It’s also important to avoid going back and double checking the work too many times. Micromanaging takes too much time, and can actually lead to your assistant making more mistakes than if you have empowered the individual to handle the task at hand on their own.
Next steps for outsourcing for small business owners
Hopefully, this post has inspired you to start looking at the tasks you do daily and start delegating some of them out. It can be scary to hand over the things you normally do, but the most important thing to remember is you’re not giving up control. You’re actually taking back control — of your time, your energy, and your ability to expand your business.
Take some time and really start thinking about everything you do in a day. Then, go back through the list and put a star next to the things that only you can do. I’m betting you’ll be surprised by how many tasks can actually be done by someone else.
Next, I challenge you to outsource just a single task. Start small. Before you know it, you’ll be an outsourcing expert. Who knows what you’ll be able to create with all the time you’ll free up!
In today’s competitive business landscape, small businesses need to establish a strong brand identity to stand out and connect with their target audience. One crucial element that can make or break a brand is authenticity.
In this article, we will explore why brand authenticity matters for small businesses and how it can help build trust and loyalty among customers.
Brand is Everything
Branding is the process of shaping and defining a small business’s identity. It encompasses more than just a logo or a tagline; it extends to the values, mission, and overall personality of the business. A strong brand serves as the foundation upon which all marketing efforts are built.
Through branding, a small business can establish a unique and recognizable identity that sets it apart from competitors. It communicates the business’s essence and promises to customers, creating a perception and expectation of what they can expect from the brand.
A well-crafted brand strategy helps small businesses differentiate themselves in a crowded market, attract their target audience, and build a loyal customer base. It provides a cohesive framework for all marketing and communication activities, ensuring consistency in messaging, visual identity, and customer experience.
Effective branding goes beyond aesthetics; it delves into the emotional connection between the brand and its customers. It evokes feelings, creates memories, and builds trust. Small businesses that invest in building a strong brand reap the benefits of increased brand recognition, customer loyalty, and long-term success.
Why Being Authentic Matters
In a world inundated with marketing messages, consumers have become more discerning about the brands they choose to support. Authenticity plays a significant role in this decision-making process. Customers are drawn to brands that are genuine, transparent, and true to their values.
When a small business demonstrates authenticity, it fosters a sense of trust and credibility, setting it apart from those that merely follow passing trends or adopt a contrived persona.
How Brand Builds Trust and Loyalty
Building trust and loyalty is crucial for small businesses, and brand authenticity serves as a powerful catalyst in this process. By consistently embodying their values, being transparent, forging emotional connections, and telling compelling stories, authentic brands establish a strong foundation of trust and loyalty with their customers.
Let’s explore some key aspects of how brand authenticity contributes to building trust and loyalty:
1. Consistency
Authentic brands are consistent in their messaging and actions. They deliver a consistent experience across all touchpoints, from their website and social media presence to their customer service interactions. This consistency builds trust, as customers know what to expect and can rely on the brand to deliver on its promises.
2. Transparency
Authentic brands are transparent about their processes, ingredients, sourcing, or any other relevant information. They openly communicate with their customers, addressing concerns and being honest about challenges they may face. This transparency builds trust and demonstrates the brand’s commitment to ethical practices.
3. Emotional Connection
Authentic brands connect with customers on an emotional level. They tap into shared values and beliefs, creating a sense of belonging and resonance. By understanding their target audience and communicating in a genuine manner, small businesses can forge deep connections that foster customer loyalty and advocacy.
4. Storytelling
Authentic brands tell compelling stories that resonate with their audience. They share the journey, values, and purpose behind their business, giving customers a reason to engage and connect. These stories create an emotional bond and help customers relate to the brand on a personal level.
Takeaway
In today’s business landscape, brand authenticity is a powerful asset for small businesses. By staying true to their values, consistently delivering on promises, being transparent, and connecting on an emotional level, small businesses can build trust and loyalty among their customer base.
Remember, authenticity is not a one-time effort but an ongoing commitment that should permeate all aspects of the business.
Small businesses that prioritize brand authenticity will differentiate themselves in the market, cultivate a loyal customer base, and ultimately thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.
By understanding the importance of authenticity and implementing strategies to foster it, small businesses can build a brand that resonates with customers and drives long-term success.
Your brand is your identity. Be authentic, be true, and watch your business flourish.
Conclusion
In conclusion, brand authenticity is a critical factor in building trust and loyalty for small businesses. It goes beyond superficial marketing tactics and taps into the core values, consistency, transparency, emotional connection, and storytelling. By prioritizing authenticity and integrating it into all aspects of their operations, small businesses can create a powerful brand that resonates with customers, fosters trust, and drives long-term success.
If small businesses embrace their authenticity, they will stand out in a crowded marketplace and forge deep connections with their target audience, ultimately reaping the rewards of customer loyalty and advocacy.
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The days of calling up every name in the phonebook or handing out flyers on the street corner are over. Nowadays, for any business to grow, it must have a thriving online presence. With so many different companies competing for space in their niche and striving to win clicks, it can be challenging to see a way forward for your business.
Even so, your small company needs to incorporate Search Engine Optimization (SEO), from an agency like Peaks Digital Marketing, moving forward to develop your niche, pull more customers, and rank higher in organic searches. We’ll explain the core of SEO practices, how they work, and why they’re crucial to your business’s development, both in the short and long term.
What Is SEO?
Search Engine Optimization, abbreviated SEO, is a set of practices and techniques designed to get your website ranked higher in search engine results when searchers type in a keyword related to your niche.
Now, you shouldn’t think that SEO is only for computer experts, although there’s a fair amount of backdoor work that can improve SEO; instead, it’s a systematic approach to content production and web design to engage readers, provide authoritative data, and drive sales.
Essentially, the more helpful your content is to readers, as determined by dwell time, crawl indexing, authoritativeness, backlinks, and other metrics, the more prominently your webpage will be displayed when a user searches for a keyword in your niche.
How Does SEO Help My Business?
Improving Placement
One of the most obvious benefits of SEO is implicit in its primary purpose: getting you to the top of the search engine results page. Searchers rarely go past the first page of Google, and they are highly likely to select the first, second, or third option on the list compared to links provided further down. Google determines who gets to be the top dog through a series of bot-indexed evaluations. The closer you are to the top, the more likely you will draw visitors to your site. And, of course, visitors mean potential customers. If you’re using your website to drive sales, then it’s a little surprise that more web traffic translates to more revenue.
This positive feedback loop continues, too; more positive interactions with your site lend more credibility, which, in turn, bolsters your reputation in the eyes of the search engine.
Brand Awareness
One benefit of SEO marketing strategies is that they can really help you stand out in your niche. If you’re passionate about something that you want to share with the world, then you can quickly learn, through SEO research and marketing, what works and what doesn’t.
In other words, if your brand continues to rank at the top of the list in your niche, you can convert curious information-seekers on your niche topic to customers.
Of course, being on the top page of search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing builds trust and brand awareness.
When customers click on your top-rated website and see the wonderfully relevant and insightful information you provide, they are much more likely to trust you and recognize your brand.
Improving Customer Experience
One crucial aspect of SEO is web design. Google’s AI very much appreciates websites that are designed with user-friendliness in mind due to higher page views and a lower bounce rate. Surprisingly, customers also appreciate a well-thought-out website layout.
SEO uses in-depth marketing tools to deliver a fresh, user-friendly website that customers will appreciate, potentially leading to further sales.
Providing Helpful, Relevant Data
As a small business owner, you probably have lots of information and experience to share with the world in your niche. Once you decide where in the market you want to settle down, SEO can help you digitalize that information for a growing audience. Whether it’s through a blog on your website or via helpful how-to articles, the internet is a great place to share your knowledge.
Distilling your experience into a bite-sized format is helpful for readers who want to learn more about your products and share the same interests that you do. For example, growing an audience through a blog is also a great way to build your business in the long run.
Adapting to Market Change
The key marker of a business that will thrive is the ability to adapt to change. SEO can be part of your rapid force adjustment if you need to shift your market approach, product line, or media.
SEO can provide you with helpful analytics about which products consumers prefer, which topics are of the most interest to your viewers, and what your competition is doing that you aren’t. All of these factors can help you pivot when you need to and adapt to changes in the market that would otherwise lead to business stagnation.
Growing a Business
The flexibility to make changes, the opportunity to appear before a larger audience, and the ability to improve the customer experience—all of these SEO features have one commonality: progress. At its heart, SEO is about growing your business by increasing your exposure, building your brand, and equipping you with the right resources to improve your products.
SEO is a long-term strategy that can drive revenue with very little input. Most importantly, it generates a continuous stream of organic traffic. This traffic not only helps you gain more sales in the short term, but it can also build a base of repeat customers, who may then help spread your business by word of mouth.
The Bottom Line
Search Engine Optimization is essential for any business with an online presence and often serves as the distinguishing factor between enterprises competing for the same niche.
If you’re looking to rank higher in organic search results, generate more organic traffic, and grow your business in the long run by building a consumer base and providing helpful, relevant content, then it’s important to incorporate SEO strategies into your business model. Whether you’ve just started your business or are in an explosive growth phase, SEO is a necessity that can help your business tremendously.
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