Top 7 Business Tasks You Should Be Outsourcing

 

The success of any business is all about productivity. Outsourcing these seven key business tasks will help you work efficiently, reduce costs and increase profits. When you waste time, energy, and money unnecessarily, you reduce profits while also putting the life of your business at risk.

The Cambridge dictionary defines outsourcing as: “noun: the process of paying to have part of a company’s work done by another company.” This can mean hiring a local temp service or enlisting the aid of virtual staff overseas. The simple question you need to ask yourself is “Can I earn more per hour working with my customers than it would cost me to outsource this task?”

Why Outsource?

These are just a few of the benefits you can get from outsourcing:

1. A specialist will take less time to do the work than you;
2. You’ll save time and money;
3. You’ll free yourself to focus on your business growth;
4. You can get rid of the things you hate doing!

when you outsource the following seven business tasks.

These are many benefits from outsourcing, here are a few: A specialist will take less time to do the work; save time and money; free yourself to focus on your business growth; get rid of the things you hate doing! Share on X

 

Business Task 1 – Managing your inbox

Email is one of the deadliest time killers you’ll encounter in your business. It’s very easy to spend more time than you should managing your email. A general virtual assistant (VA) can filter your email, create autoresponder content, answer customer service emails, and free up time every week by handling these tasks for you.

Business Task 1 - Managing your inbox. Email is one of the deadliest time killers you'll encounter in your business so outsource it to a VA to save you time Share on X

Business Task 2 – Content creation

You could outsource as much of the creation of any content as possible. Outsourcing writing blog posts, recording or editing videos, creating press releases, writing off-line marketing copy, and other content creation chores can free up a significant amount of time.

Business Task 2 - Content creation. Outsource as much of the creation of any content as possible. Share on X

Business Task 3 – Social media management

Engaging prospects on Facebook and Twitter can be fun. However, it can also be very time-consuming. Outsource at least some of this interaction to trusted team members. Using a social media manager to create and schedule regular posts will ensure you have a consistent presence on your social media channels.

Business Task 3 - Social media management. Engaging prospects on Facebook and Twitter can be fun. However, it can also be very time-consuming so outsource it. Share on X

Business Task 4 – Customer follow-up

Even if you own a very small business, your time is probably better spent if you outsource basic customer follow-up. Your business should be communicating with each and every customer you have. This is especially true after a sale. Follow-up allows you to build customer loyalty and understand what you did right and what you can do better in the future. You need to make sure you thoroughly train your customer follow-up team member in the appropriate ways to interact with your customers. A good place to start is a list of the questions your most frequently asked.

Business Task 4 - Customer follow-up. Even if you own a very small business, your time is probably better spent if you outsource basic customer follow-up. Share on X

Business Task 5 – Bookkeeping

Outsourcing your bookkeeping to a bookkeeper will put your financials in the hands of a qualified and knowledgeable professional. This means you can escape from being trapped in the minutiae and take an overview of your financial performance. It can also help reduce mistakes and oversights that are commonly made if you lack the relevant expertise.

Business Task 5 - Bookkeeping. Outsourcing to a bookkeeper will put your financials in the hands of a qualified and knowledgeable professional. Share on X

Business Task 6 – Web development

Some business owners handle their own web design and development to lower expenses. However, it takes time to learn how to do this correctly and to make sure you attract your ideal customer.

While I’m quite happy doing the design and development of my own website, I’m not an experienced coder. If I have a technical issue, it can be a mind-numbing, tedious waste of time looking for a solution, let alone the best solution, especially as it’s not my strength. I’ve recently outsourced this element of problem-solving on a monthly retainer to a developer and it’s been a fantastic investment.

Business Task 6 - Web development. Some business owners handle their own web design and development to lower expenses. Is it the best use of your time though? Share on X

Business Task 7 – Calendar management

Outsource your appointment setting, travel booking, meeting schedule, and other business calendar tasks. Your appointment setting and meeting scheduling don’t have to be outsourced to an individual as there are some fantastic online tools available. Apps such as Calendly, Bookly and Acuity Scheduling take the pain out of going backwards and forwards trying to agree on a date. You do need to invest the time in setting them up but some even offer free versions.

Business Task 7 - Calendar management. Outsource your appointment setting, travel booking, meeting schedule, and other business calendar tasks. There are many online apps to help. Share on X

I’ve found that outsourcing many of these, and other, tasks has allowed me to successfully focus on sorting my own business basics and grow my business this year.