New year’s resolutions always seem to be about doing less of what you enjoy (cake) and more of what you dislike (exercise). As business owners, we wear many hats: from marketing and sales to bookkeeping and customer service, there’s always a lot to do, and not all tasks are equally enjoyable. With limited resources, it’s impossible to do everything, so how about we look at 2025 as the year to outsource at least some of the tasks we’d rather not do in-house?
Why should I consider outsourcing?
Outsourcing, or hiring a third party to complete tasks or services that would traditionally be done by yourself or an employee, is enjoying a bit of a boom, perhaps because of the rise of side hustles and flexible contracts. With platforms that connect freelancers to businesses, there are opportunities to find ways of working together. Here’s what’s in it for you:
- By outsourcing tasks you dislike or that don’t require your specific skill set, you can free up your time to grow your business.
- Tap into the skills of experts and professionals like accountants, marketers, and designers without the cost of hiring full-time employees.
- Outsourced professionals are often more efficient than you at completing specific tasks, leading to higher quality work in less time.
- If you have an employee struggling with a task, giving it to a freelancer will give them more time to do the parts of the job they enjoy, delivering more value into the business.
- Delegating tasks can give you a healthier work-life balance and avoid burnout.
Deciding what to outsource
Not every task is a good candidate for outsourcing. Here’s a breakdown of how to make smart outsourcing decisions:
Identify time-consuming tasks
Track how you spend your time for a week. This will reveal areas where you might be wasting valuable hours. Are there repetitive tasks that don’t directly generate revenue? These are prime candidates for outsourcing.
Assess your skills and preferences
Be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses. Do you enjoy bookkeeping or would you rather spend that time working on marketing? Focus on tasks where your unique skills provide the most value to your business.
Consider costs and benefits
Outsourcing shouldn’t break the bank. Compare the cost of outsourcing a task to the time and potential revenue you’ll gain by freeing yourself up. Remember, you can’t scale yourself but you can hire extra help as needed.
Who’s available, and where will you find them?
There are many ways to find qualified freelancers or outsourcing companies. Here are a few tips:
- Freelance platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com connect businesses with freelancers across various skillsets. These platforms allow you to review freelancer profiles, client reviews, and project history.
- LinkedIn is great resource for finding skilled freelancers, especially for specialized niches. You can search for professionals with the desired experience, view their profiles and recommendations, and connect with them directly.
- Personal recommendations from other business owners, colleagues, or friends can be a great way to find hidden gems and build trust with potential freelancers.
- Business associations such as a chamber of commerce may have resources to help you find qualified outsourced help.
Why can’t my existing employees do it?
In some cases, you may be unsure whether to outsource a task or assign it to an employee. Here are some factors to consider:
- Project scope: Is the task ongoing or a one-time project? For one-time projects, outsourcing is often more cost-effective.
- Skill level required: Do you need a highly specialized skill set? If so, outsourcing may be the better option as it can be difficult to find and retain such employees for short-term projects.
- Management needs: How much oversight will the task require? If the task is complex and requires close supervision, hiring an employee may be preferable.
I hope that’s got you thinking not only about what you can clear off your desk, but what can replace it. Once you banish the bad habit of doing it yourself, you can free up your time to focus on what matters most – growing your business in 2025.
Here’s to a prosperous New Year!
