Should all small business owners outsource some services?
As a small business owner, you are a busy person, and you likely do not have a large staff to help you out. Rather than trying to do everything by yourself, you should outsource certain tasks to external services.
After all, if you run yourself ragged, neither you nor your business will benefit from your hard work.
Here are the top seven tasks small businesses can – and should – outsource.
Rather than trying to do everything by yourself, you should outsource certain tasks to external services. #outsourcing Click To Tweet1. Answering Calls is One Task Small Business Owners Should Outsource
Even if you want to personally connect with every single customer, it is hard to run an entire company while being your own receptionist. A small business answering service can help alleviate that burden.
These trained receptionists work around the clock to answer any and every phone call your business receives, meaning that your business can be open 24/7 to best accommodate your customers.
Additionally, some virtual answering services offer live chat support, multilingual operators, and secure order processing systems.
2. Technical Support
Unless your business specializes in Information Technology (IT), you probably find technology just as confusing as every other layman. Spare yourself the headache of figuring out how to connect your physical systems to your digital systems – outsource your IT work.
Not only will computer specialists be able to solve your problems with ease and efficiency, but they will also make sure that the online platforms you use are secure and protected.
3. Manufacturing
Even if you have a great product, it will be hard to manufacture that product on a large scale once your business starts booming. Additionally, the equipment required to manufacture vast quantities of products is expensive, and certain types of equipment require special permits and licenses to operate.
Because of this, you should outsource your manufacturing to a reliable service. Plus, you can contribute to your local economy by choosing a manufacturer within the same city, state, or country that you live in.
4. Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping is a difficult task, especially if mathematics is not your strong suit. Between handling petty cash, figuring out sales tax, tracking expenditures, reconciling the company checkbook, and more, there are many bookkeeping mistakes a small business owner can accidentally make.
Rather than stressing about financial logistics, you should enlist the help of the experts. Many professional bookkeepers even offer invoicing and bill collection services, which will make your life easier.
Bookkeeping is a difficult task, especially if mathematics is not your strong suit. #outsourcing Click To Tweet5. Accounting is Another Service Small Business Owners Should Outsource
Bookkeeping and accounting are similar tasks and may overlap in some areas, but they are not quite the same. Whereas bookkeepers record financial transactions within a ledger, accountants take that ledger, analyze the data within it, and report back to you.
This enables you to make important financial decisions regarding your business. Professional accountants can help you prepare a budget, apply for loans, and file your taxes, among other tasks.
By outsourcing your work to this type of expert, you will ensure that your business will remain financially and legally in the green.
Professional accountants can help you prepare a budget, apply for loans, and file your taxes, among other tasks. #outsourcing Click To Tweet6. Marketing
Marketing comes in many different shapes and forms, including television commercials, radio advertisements, direct mail, billboards, online pop-up ads, and more.
It is nearly impossible for any single person to be a master of all the skills required to create and implement an effective marketing strategy.
Thus, you should outsource these tasks. Freelance artists, voice actors, graphic designers, jingle writers, and other specialists are always looking for work at a fair price.
7. Research is Another Job Small Business Owners Should Outsource
For your business to sustain itself and experience notable growth, you must stay on top of the current trends within your market. However, most of your competitors will not simply let you waltz into their places of business and take notes on their best practices and company secrets.
Instead, you can hire a secret shopper to make inquiries at other businesses. Then, they can report their customer experiences back to you.
You can also enlist the help of research firms to conduct customer surveys and analyze online comments and reviews pertaining directly to your business.
Finally, you could have them research your competitors online and strengthen your website keywords.
You can also enlist the help of research firms to conduct customer surveys and analyze online comments and reviews pertaining directly to your business. Click To TweetIn Conclusion of What Small Business Owners Should Outsource
Operating a business is a difficult venture, especially if it is a small business. Luckily, there are a plethora of professional services that are eager to help you out the best that they can.
Do not try to micromanage every aspect of your company. Instead, outsource what you can to experts in their fields.
That way, you can focus on what is important – managing your business.
What do YOU think small business owners should outsource? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
She has 30+ years of experience in marketing/advertising with 11 years of experience in content marketing, social media, blogging, and SEO.
You can purchase her eBook about Twitter on Amazon, or take her Instagram class on Udemy.
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These are all great tips, Lisa! Not enough small business owners are willing to delegate tasks. Too many think they need to put it all on their shoulders. But that’s not the case. It’s so important to delegate tasks, like the ones you mention, to others. Taking calls, bookkeeping, etc. are all perfect tasks to pass along. It can be tempting to save on the cost on items like these, but if you really think about it, passing these tasks to others frees the business owner up to focus more on big picture growth.
Hi Anthony, That is true and I’m glad I learned it early on! It can be such a drag to do everything all the time. It causes you to burn out and not grow your business. You may even lose enthusiasm for it which can be dangerous. Thanks for your input Anthony and have a great rest of the day.