Small businesses typically start as a one-person show, with the owner handling all aspects of the startup. However, as orders pick up and the client list grows, the owner is likely to need some help. You may think you can do it all, or you don’t want to spend the money on hiring help. But delegating certain tasks to others will free up your time to handle the day-to-day work of running a company. So, what roles should small business owners take off their plates? Read on to find out.
Table of Contents
1. Marketing
You are a business person. That doesn’t always mean that you know the best practices for marketing, though some people do. If you’re ready to get serious about growing your business, it’s time to delegate your company’s marketing. You can hire a marketing professional, work with an agency, or try small business marketing automation, to retain some control.
Delegating your marketing will translate into top-of-the-line results for your business. Professionals stay up-to-date on industry trends. They understand what tools to use to track URLs, check website rankings, and monitor competitors. Plus, they will track and drive new leads while continuing to nurture existing leads. If you don’t have a clear marketing strategy or are unsure about next steps, it’s time to hire outside help.
Perhaps your messaging has been inconsistent. You aren’t posting regularly and your content varies across different platforms, resulting in a complete lack of branding. Maybe your sales or leads have hit a plateau, or you’re generating leads but not successfully converting them into profits. If you don’t have a clear understanding of your target audience, your marketing — and sales — may suffer. Hiring professional help will address these concerns and improve your marketing efforts.
2. Writing Blog Posts
In the beginning, taking care of writing your company’s blog posts yourself makes sense. You can introduce the company better than anyone and write about the reasons for creating the startup. However, coming up with regular topics that will interest potential clients and writing articles about those ideas can become overwhelming.
Writing is often a tricky and time-consuming process that is better off handled by a professional or an agency. You may be a college-educated business person, but you are likely less experienced in writing and editing. Inadvertently using bad grammar, making spelling mistakes, or writing with poorly crafted sentences could put your company’s credibility into question. Your content should be unique, interesting, and free from errors. Your blogs are often the first point of contact with potential clients, so making a good first impression is essential.
A content writer can take a complicated topic and make it easy for the average reader to understand. They cut through the jargon and industry-specific terminology using everyday language. An experienced writer will produce persuasive content that captures the attention of potential clients. They also utilize SEO keywords to help your content reach the top of search engine results, attracting more readers. The end goal is action — signing up for your newsletter, following your company on social media, or making a purchase. Professional content writers can excite readers, creating an emotional connection with potential clients and encouraging them to take action.
3. General Admin Duties
From filing paperwork and answering phones to greeting customers and organizing schedules, a small business comes with numerous administrative duties. If a small business owner spends their time accomplishing these tasks, they don’t have time for other important functions. How can you handle strategic planning and growing the business while also giving directions or calling in a supply order?
Hiring an administrative assistant will free up your time in ways you can’t even imagine. These indispensable aides take control of your office, organize supplies and paperwork, and handle customers with a smile. Like a nurse to a doctor, administrative professionals are a business person’s right hand. Once the admin learns the business, they’ll come to be invaluable and you’ll wonder how you ever managed without them.
You have seven seconds to make a good first impression. Not only must your office be clean and welcoming, but your customers should be greeted by a friendly individual. Your administrative assistant will become the face of your company, able to answer questions and help customers with any problems. They’ll make customers feel comfortable and may even get to know them on a first-name basis. Soon, clients will call expecting to hear your admin’s voice.
Hiring Help as a Small Business Owner
As a small business owner, you handle many aspects of growing a startup. Initially, you are responsible for everything, from managing social media campaigns to opening mail to planning your growth strategy. However, as your business grows and your time becomes scarce, you’ll find you need to enlist some help. Hiring individuals or working with agencies will ensure that you have the time to continue working toward your company’s success.
Eventually, you will need to fill all of the roles within your organization. Begin by taking these three tasks off your plate. You’ll be surprised at the time you free up and wonder how you ever did it any other way.
