Outsourcing to Grow Your Home Business Getting over the do-it-yourself syndrome by delegating to others reveals a higher level of potential for you and your company.
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Most people go into business desiring success and better balance in their lives. Spending endless hours commuting and dealing with corporate politics isn't exactly the American Dream. But when starting a new business, juggling the demands of business and personal obligations can sometimes be just as exhausting.
The thought of hiring and managing people may make you weak in the knees, but building a staff isn't the only option. Consider outsourcing your needs to a specialized group or individual. That way you can hire as needed without having to worry about hiring, firing, payroll taxes, etc.
The hardest part of outsourcing is giving up the reins on your "baby." The easiest way to start comfortably delegating to others is to make a list of all of the tasks you do on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Of those items, determine what you don't like to do and what's taking up the majority of your time.
Among the options available to contract help on an hourly, project or set-fee basis are:
- Writers
Professional writers can create content for your website, blogs, press releases, e-mails and marketing materials. They can also ghostwrite for you. For example, Lisa Otto from www.CreativeWritingStudios.com focuses on small businesses and offers affordable rates to give a small business a professional image. - Receptionists
Your customers' first contact with your company is vital. Hire an individual or firm that can take your company calls. This can set you apart because:
a. Your company appears larger than the one-person show you are operating.
b. Your calls are answered by a professional vs. an answering machine. - Salespeople
As a one-person show, you can only touch so many potential customers. By contracting with a sales representative, you can take advantage of their experience as well as their extensive list of contacts. And if you're paying on a commission basis, you'll be saving while bringing in additional money. - Graphic Designers
Whether you've already idealized your logo or not, a graphic designer can assist in leaving a memorable impression of your company by creating powerful logos, websites and other marketing materials. - Fulfillment Centers
If you're pole vaulting over piles of business materials and products in your own kitchen or frantically hiding things under your bed when you have company you may need the help of a fulfillment center, like Trending Solutions . These places make sure your customers won't call you looking for their order because it took you four days to ship it. - Marketers
A marketing guru can get your press releases and announcements in the right hands of the media. They can get your foot in the door so you can follow up and nail the sale. They'll also assist with creative approaches to get the word out about your company. - Virtual Assistant
A VA can be a lifesaver when it comes to handling communications with your customers, doing your accounting, invoicing your customers and any administrative tasks you may find yourself putting aside.
You don't need to be a hero by showing that you can do it all. You may just find, like so many of us, that outsourcing enables you to focus on what you do best and grow your business and income. By delegating day-to-day tasks, you can run your business and maintain your personal life.
Outsourcing provides you with more flexibility as your company grows. There are so many options available and many resources on the internet to help you find the perfect candidate.
