Many entrepreneurs and business owners have that “I can do everything” mentality and quite honestly, I have had it too. (maybe still do, on some things, but shhh!) However, the harsh reality is we really can’t do it all and we shouldn’t!
Your entrepreneurial skills
We all have different skill sets, making us more useful and effective in certain ways over others. This kind of mentality is what often leads to a compromise between the quality of output and our ultimate productivity. Think about it, we just aren’t that good, at everything. This is why it is incredibly important, even for us entrepreneurs, to have a team to work with or outsource to. You are likely one of those entrepreneurs, like me, who don’t have a team, so in this case, seek out those whom you know, like and trust and can do business with.
Outsource where necessary for better quality
As most entrepreneurs are the visionary to their own company, you don’t necessarily know everything that goes into all aspects of maintaining your business. You may think you do, but don’t kid yourself, you don’t.
What’s your expertise?
Consider what you do for a living as your expertise and outsource the rest. Sure, you may not start doing it that way, but ultimately, that should be your goal… or are you one of those who prefers to work yourself into the ground? Yea, didn’t think so, so start planning to outsource where you lack knowledge and experience.
Typical outsourcing might be specialty skills like legal work, accounting or taxes, website stuff, paid advertising, graphic design, social media and etc. Most of these require a specific skill set and/or specialized education in order to be compliant, or heck, just don’t well or right without tossing money out the window.
Mundane “monkey work” tasks
Let’s not forget those day to day mundane tasks, otherwise known as “monkey work”. You know them well – they need to be done, they are easy to do but a pain in the rear. Again, you are capable of doing these things but the cost of you doing them, is that beneficial? It’s not whether you can or can’t do them here.. but are you spending the right time on the right things? Time is money, be sure you are spending your time where you make the most money. I know it seems simple, and it is.. just give it a go! Your business will be better off by outsourcing the tasks that are out of your spectrum and below your “paygrade”. Let the experts who have the knowledge and the know how to do high quality work as well as the mundane tasks.
Time is money, be sure you are spending your time where you make the most money. Click To TweetOutsourcing for Productivity
Doing what you know and what you are good at comes naturally to you, just as it does others. Therefore, it gets done with less time, less stress and better quality. By honing in on what you are good at and outsourcing the rest to others, you are going to create a more productive business for yourself and others. Time is money, and the lack of productivity is wasted time, meaning wasted money.
Suck it up, sometimes you just need to spend the money
You might hate the idea of spending money on something you think or know you can take on yourself; but when it comes down to it most often it is better to spend the money to hire someone else to do the task in which you lack know-how or is a waste of your time. This will free you up to do more of what you are good at, making your business more productive. 
Where is your sweet spot?
You have a sweet spot, that is what you are good at and paid well for doing. The mundane tasks and the things that are outside of your knowledge need to be outsourced. Consider this example.. 1 – your sweet spot work is $50/hr. 2 – the tasks that require extra work for you because they are outside of your knowledge and experience wastes more time. 3 – the mundane tasks waste time where you could be making more money. So, if you work outside of your sweet spot, you are either spending more time to learn and do things you shouldn’t or are using your $50/hr brain doing $20/hr work.. either way.. it’s a waste, make sense?
Bottom line:
Your business has a sweet spot, be sure you are working in it! Click To TweetEvery entrepreneur and business owner desires high quality work and productivity. More often than not, doing it all yourself will lead to a lack in at least one or both of these areas. In order to be the most successful in your industry, you will want to find vetted people whom you can outsource tasks to. Using experts in their industry or field will free you up to do what it is that you do best and allowing those experts to do what they do best putting quality and productivity at its peak all the while saving you money and time in the long run.
Should you need any help with internet marketing, such as paid ads on Google, search engine optimization, email marketing, social media or a marketing consult to figure how what or how to do what you need, please contact me as I would love to be an extension of your business and team.
~Kristen
Love it, Kristen! Exactly what entrepreneurs need to hear. Sometimes you want to learn how to do things, but I agree — you should focus your time and energy on those things that only you can do — and that bring you in the bucks! Super post.
Thanks Jackie! I appreciate it! We really need to focus on our sweet spot, not the above or below, for sure.
Great insight, Kristen! I highly recommend your SEO services for everyone. No kidding, folks! She rocks!
Awww, thanks Carol, I appreciate it!
Often when I read about “outsourcing” I forget how much I actually do outsource. All my graphic designing and web upkeep, plus of course legal and accounting, are all done by outside sources and always have been whatever I’ve done in my life. I still think of outsourcing as getting a VA or hiring someone to do your social media for you. As a writer, I haven’t quite envisioned how I would let someone else write or create my social media posts or reply on my behalf. Maybe in time, I will have a mindset shift, however, I believe my writing and how I build relationships is really my strength. Now to fully monetize that would be wonderful. 😉 Thanks for the great reminder to play to our strengths, Kristen and leave the rest to someone who does it much better than us!
Wow, that is awesome Beverley. I still do a lot of that stuff. You are welcome for the reminder Bev! 😉
AS always, love your topics and clarity. Years ago I outsourced the accounting- whew- a relief as long as I keep decent records for her. It’s not exactly outsourcing but hubby does the trips to the post office. I have worked with a SEO/Website Master?coach this past 18 months & we just extended our contract. Stay tuned for some new looks- We do the jewelry, Social Media, product copywriting & trying to learn more. If I didn’t have my person- YOU would be it!
Thanks Roz, then you will like next weeks! 😉 I think that counts as outsourcing as you aren’t doing it! Glad you have someone to work with that you trust.. but thank you for selecting me as the back up! 😉
Great post Kristen, almost just what we talked about the other day…:-) Some things one needs to outsource even as a solo entrepreneur.
Actually Katarina, it was kind of what spurred my blog. Thanks!
Great information, I admit as a solo goer myself a little help at times would be nice. Women seem to always try and do it all by themselves.
Thanks Leslie. I am a solo goer myself too.. and like you.. a woman.. who insists on doing it all by themselves.. I still struggle with that!
Outsourcing anything that others can do more quickly and cheaply than you is key to building a profitable business. The challenge for most is letting go and many see the expense as a cost rather than a saving. That kind of thinking keeps us stuck with the same old income and working the same long hours. I think what you’ve got to do is outsource one thing at a time, build confidence in the process, but also check you’ve got the right people behind you. You’re right, we have to ‘suck it up’ if we want to free ourselves from the mediocre levels of business that many of us experience. Great post Kristen!
So true Clive and I still struggle with it.. but there is such value in understanding this point!
The tough part of being a high Type D perfectionist is outsourcing your “birthed baby” to someone who doesn’t have as much vested interest in my project as I do. Know it is a part of growing a business and that I do not have all the tools and training in all areas so thanks for the encouraging stretch!
Oh yes Barbara, I am VERY WELL aware of that birthed baby and that perfectionist mentality.. but trust that you will find someone who will want to work near as hard as you for you…. you’ve got this.. take baby steps!
Very good advice! I know this, yet I can still use improving on staying in my “sweet spot” with my business. This post was a big reminder for me. Thanks so much!
So glad to hear Lisa and aren’t we all appreciative of these little reminders! 😉
With the nature of my business, I need to outsource to do the important tasks in line with their expertise. They strongly support the operation of my business. Outsourcing is essential. It cannot be overemphasized.
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So true.. and hopefully those you outsource to Lorii represent your brand/business as you intended.
I never fought the battle between doing certain things myself and outsourcing. I know myself well enough that there are just some things that are truly a waste of my time or out of my wheel house. I truly believe I have ultimately made more money as a result of this mentality.
That is awesome Beth… good on you for knowing when to stay the heck out of the wheel house! 😉
I need to work on this more. I tend to spread myself too thin, and think every idea needs to be made a reality!
You aren’t alone Stacey.. we all (most women) try to do it all!