Top Tips Solopreneurs Need for Outsourcing Reliable Help

You can have a much larger impact as a solopreneur when you commission the help of others. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Despite the job title, being a solopreneur doesn’t always mean you have to go it alone. While you might be the brains behind the operation, outsourcing specific tasks is often a great idea. In fact, enlisting help leaves you more time to tackle the essential functions of your operation.

Here are some tips on how to do it.

Always Protect Yourself

As a solopreneur, you have to look out for number one, and that means protecting yourself and your business from help that isn’t so helpful. For the best odds at securing reliable freelancers, make sure to perform background checks on every applicant and write up a solid contract.

Background checks are a smart way to weed out applicants that could pose a risk to your business or customers. However, you’re legally required to follow certain guidelines depending on your state. For example, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) dictates that employers must disclose the fact that they’ll be running a background check. State laws vary on how far back you can look into an applicant’s history, and what you can do with the information you find. Do your research before making any missteps that could harm your business’s reputation.  

Once you select a new hire, writing up a contract serves two main purposes. One, it outlines the scope of your project and what you’re going to pay for it. Two, the contract ensures that your hired help will stick to their end of the bargain. If they don’t, the contract offers legal recourse.

Get Started with a Great Website

Regardless of your industry, setting up a functional and client-attracting website is a necessity. Of course, your time is too valuable to waste hours navigating design, coding, and other aspects of the process. Instead of going it alone, let a professional handle your website launch. This way, you can convey the right tone to your audience and ensure they stick around.

Look to hire web designer and website developer contractors from online job boards to help create the perfect site. Note, you may even be able to find a candidate familiar with both skill sets (aka the “unicorn”) making it easier to hire just one person. Regardless of whether you have one of each or a hybrid, these professionals will be able to turn out a finished product that fits your requirements. 

Outsource Writing Help to Save Time

Once your website is up and running, it’s tempting to call the project successful and move on. However, this element needs consistent updating to continue attracting clients and offering value. Plus, consistent posts on your blog can earn your website a higher ranking with search engines. Higher rankings are one key to ensuring you’re discovered by the right clients.

But how can you guarantee effective web copy without investing countless hours researching and writing on your own? By hiring freelance writers to take over the task. When it comes to hiring writers, you can contract with an agency or source experts on job boards.

Productivity Starts with the Right Tools

As a solopreneur, you likely have a lot on your plate. The good news is that there are countless ways to enhance your productivity. Outsourcing projects is one way, but using the right tools is another. Ideally, you’re already using time-saving hacks like these incredible keyboard shortcuts from Nerd Butler and setting your smartphone to airplane mode during working hours.

Another smart fix for productivity is implementing processes for everything from managing expenses to invoicing to contract templates. Entrepreneur recommends a long list of helpful apps and platforms for every aspect of your business operation, but choose wisely. After all, trying to do too much will only result in frustration — and wasted time.

Then again, you could also hire help to reduce your workload. For example, a virtual assistant can handle essential tasks while you focus on creating new products or delivering services. Virtual assistants cover duties like personal assistant tasks, customer service responsibilities, and even content creation or social media management.

Solopreneurs wear many hats, but even as an expert, you can’t wear them all. Outsourcing specific projects to reliable freelancers is an excellent way to scale your business without piling work on your own desk. With the little things taken care of, you can focus on the bigger picture.

Courtney started Gigspark to be a resource and a first step for people who are looking to join the gig economy, either to supplement their income or as a way to fulfill their dreams of becoming an entrepreneur.