Owning your own business comes with the added bonus of having to wear many hats. One minute you’re the creative director, the next, you’re the accountant, HR department, graphic designer and marketing expert, all in the same day.
As your responsibilities grow along with your business, saving your valuable time and energy for the important decisions will prove to be a vital asset to the growth of your company and this is where outsourcing comes in. Outsourcing for certain areas is not only efficient time-wise, but the expertise and knowledge you are getting will also benefit you in the long term.
While you may not have the budget to outsource all of these options from the start, here are a few to consider:
#1 FINANCES
If you’re running your own business, chances are you’ve become aware of all the financial upkeep it entails. Accounting is one of those things you’ve either been blessed with or it’s something that you find yourself freaking out every EOFY over. Save yourself the unwanted stress and deer-in-the-headlights look by getting yourself an accountant. You will gain clarity on aspects of your finances you didn’t even know existed, and it may save you a bucket load of cash down the track.
#2 MARKETING
Marketing is a full-time job within itself and if you keep leaving your marketing at the bottom of your to-do list then it may be time to hire an expert. Planning out your marketing strategy, social media content, pitching to media, writing newsletters and all the other tasks that connect you with your target market can take up a huge amount of time. This is time you could instead be spending on expanding your business, bringing in new clients or networking with industry experts to help your business grow. Assess what areas of marketing convert the highest amount of sales and start by outsourcing these first. If you’re unsure then my Mentor Program will help you gain clarity and confidence around marketing your business, so that you can make the right decision.
#3 BRANDING
If it doesn’t look right, it won’t feel right. The aesthetic of your brand appeals to your target market and is the first impression a potential customer gets of your business. Having the right logo and a clean, clear website that is easy to navigate is one of those make or break components that will deter or entice someone from choosing you, over the competition. Something like this takes skill and patience, and if you weren’t born a graphic design wiz then hiring someone who can make this all happen will save you many tears of frustration.
#4 ASSISTANT FOR DESIGN WORK
Your customers are your number one priority, and tending to their needs and inquiries is the backbone of your business. It takes a particular set of skills and a rather large amount of patience and understanding when something goes wrong or a client is unhappy. This is a perfect example of where two heads can be better than one. If you’re an interior decorator then having a design assistant who is on the ball managing your customer service, general stock and delivery intake will allow your business to thrive while you invest your time into the tasks that only you can do.
#5 PHOTOGRAPHY
Hiring a photographer to come along with you for your stylist once over is essential if you’re an interior decorator. This will ensure you have professional photographs for your portfolio and will provide some beautiful examples of your work to showcase on your website and across social media. Having professional imagery done will set a standard for your work and will allow you to broaden your network of clients and industry professionals. It’s also important to have high-quality profile images of yourself to send to media, post on social media or include on your website.
I only have a few spots left for my Mentor Program starting on Monday, 3rd September (next week). So if you’re ready to up-level your business, get clear on the steps you need to take to achieve your goals and gain access to mentoring with me over 4 weeks then enrol now before time runs out!
