No one likes to spend money when you don’t need to or waste time on a task that can be done more efficiently (or not at all!). As business owners, you have to figure out how to make smart decisions that allow you to work towards your goals.
At some point in time, you’ve either worn all the hats or you’re still juggling all the responsibilities in your business. And adding one more thing to your to-do list can feel like someone dropped a giant anvil on your chest. Am I right?
Isn’t it strange that in cartoon shows, giant things like an anvil, piano, or a boulder can fall on the main character and they stand up with the dizzy graphic above their head, shake it off and then they go on their merry way? Lol if only real life was like that!
But since it’s not, we have to tackle the topic of: When to DIY vs when to OUTSOURCE? Of course budget is always a factor, but something tells me that you’re pretty savvy and could figure out a way to bring in help where you need it.
You should DIY when:
- You can make time to efficiently manage a task
- It’s pivotal that your hands are on the task (ie filming video content, meeting with clients, etc.)
- You’re the expert and enjoy the task
- You need to lay the groundwork to then hand off the responsibility
For instance, if you’re just getting started in your business, I’d say it’s better to wait before you spend lots and lots of money on branding and a website because chances are you’re going pivot once or twice before you feel grounded in your brand strategy.Additionally, if you’re the face of your brand, it’s so important that your branding and marketing reflect your brand voice, vision, and mission. Sure you can teach a team to write in your voice or you can lean on canned emails in some of your workflows, but when it comes to showing up on video and on social media, your audience will want to see and hear from you.
You should OUTSOURCE when:
- You’re unable to efficiently manage tasks with the allotted time
- You’re NOT the expert and you hate the task
- The workflow has been developed and you can delegate responsibilities
- You’re burning out or having to turn away work because there is too much on your plate
For instance, if you’re losing hours scheduling social media, blog, and email content each week to the point where you’re super stressed out or you aren’t able to focus on client work, it could be time to hire a virtual assistant to take on that responsibility.
Remember that your time is a valuable, non-renewable resource. How do you want to spend it? What do you need to let go of in order to scale to the next level or enjoy your business more thoroughly? I recommend asking yourself these questions quarterly or anytime there are major shifts in your life or business.
Do you need help perfecting your marketing message and content plan so you can save time, earn more money, and start working with your dream clients? If so, check out the Attraction Marketing Accelerator! We’re filling the next cohort so jump on the waitlist!