Outsourcing the doubt – smart investments for you

Outsourcing is a game changer when it comes to levelling up

You can’t get higher levels of revenue, influence and visibility by doing everything yourself. This concept is hitting me like a pie in the face. Outsourcing is the best way to propel forward and scale without extra hustle. In other words, you have to take a load off before you can put a completely new one on.

Plus, you can’t do everything on your own at the quality level you need to gain attention.

Outsourcing the tasks that are not in your wheelhouse for a variety of reasons – fear, lack of skill-set, outside your strengths – can move you from a follower to a leader.

I call it outsourcing the doubt.  

Essentially it means investing in new skills and talent for momentum, based on what you simply dread doing. Instead of thinking that you “should” outsource and delegate specific tasks, why not focus on how you feel about your workload instead.

What do feelings have to do with it? 

Feelings can be your guide at telling you where you need help the most.

We are all different. Some people say, “get a bookkeeper” early on. At a certain level, it’s a good move. For me it’s not such an arduous task. I am quite content to spend four nights over a two week period in the winter watching Netflix and inputting numbers. Really. As I get busier I am sure that will become too much but I like numbers and Excel so it doesn’t drain me at all.

Social media, on the other hand, is not totally natural for me. I appreciate the guidance I get around it and support to schedule in a lot of the less personal side of it. Since I run an online business, that’s a hard one to ignore so that’s where I invest first.

When you feel doubt, dread, stuck, blocked and see yourself procrastinating over and over again in the following areas, here’s how to prioritize outsourcing.

Big picture planning and vision

Feel better with a plan.

This is number one. If you don’t know where you are going, you can’t get there. Coaching and strategy that allows you to mindfully formulate your business model and match it to your life is imperative. If you don’t clearly know your value proposition you can guarantee you will be hustling for business for a very long time.

Your ability to create a captivating brand and getting noticed comes from understanding your value at a deeper level. If you aren’t sure of it, this is your first priority for support.

I am a big proponent of one-on-one guidance with someone who can “see” your value and how it relates to the needs and desires of the world. A high level mastermind group can also be a good investment and give you valuable new contacts as well.

Promoting and marketing

While sales is something you have to get good at because it’s your baby and you must have enough passion to convert, generating leads is different. Marketing and promoting to get leads can happen in a variety of ways and you, the owner, are not always the best at that job. Admittedly, I am not. There are way more qualified people at the technical side of lead generating than moi.

There are plenty of people to hire who specialize in social media, SEO, Facebook ads, copywriting, pitching etc. If you aren’t naturally inclined, think outsourcing. If you want an array of skills and some strategic guidance consider an Online Business Manager or an agency who does it all. If you have all the strategies and require an implementer, a Virtual Assistant might be all you need. That level will be less expensive but you’ll play a more directing role.

If you are confident that you have what it takes to convert either online or live, focusing on bringing in more leads is a good investment.

Organization and time management

Numbers are an area that entrepreneurs sometimes completely ignore, especially creatives. Get to know your numbers, especially if it’ll help you budget and plan. There is a time when that had to happen. Hiring a bookkeeper will help you develop good financial systems.

If you simply cannot stay structured or organized, a virtual or live assistant might be your best bet. Systems lead to efficiency which is how a business grows. Have someone to make you accountable to the important vs. urgent tasks. When in doubt hire an expert in systems.

If you feel like you need an entire systems overhaul Natasha is your woman. She combines technology with her love for order to help you free up your time.

And if you simply need more time and can clear some space in your personal life by hiring a cleaner or a getting healthy meals delivered, start there.

If all of this doesn’t seem clear yet, it will. I remember reading a conversation in a forum last year where entrepreneurs were discussing what percentage of their revenue was invested back in the company. I remember thinking to myself, “as little as possible” and now I am working out the same issue:  how much to invest. It’s a personal decision based on your growth goals and expenses.

As long as you know your value proposition and are outsourcing the doubt you will be able to see the next growth phase clearly laid out in front of you. Clarity is golden!