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Each year around this time, my team and I take a look at the business and see where we can improve. Usually, it’s more like how can we scale more? How can we grow the business? And usually, it comes down to what’s the next thing we can outsource.
The truth it, in order to keep growing, we’ll need to outsource in 2018. Take it from someone who has been in business a long time, the outsourcing never really stops. In order to make money, you need to invest some money in people who have a certain level of expertise.
What You Outsource in 2018 Will Depend on ROI
Let me preface by saying that what you decide to outsource in 2018 depends on the stage of business you are in and potential return on investment. In the beginning, that may look like hiring a coach or consultant. Later on, it may look like outsourcing PR.
That’s why, if you want to outsource in 2018, the first thing you need to do is determine the next logical step for your business. With that being said, here are some common things you may want to outsource in 2018.
Media relations.
When determining what to outsource in 2018, you may be tempted to do some things you happen to be good at yourself. This is usually a mistake. Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you should spend your time doing it (or that you even have the time).
For me, that’s media relations. I’ve done pretty well on my own. However, my business has changed and I no longer have time to do it myself. I also know that I personally get a lot of good ROI from it, so it’s time to outsource in 2018.
Business management.
As you grow your team, you may notice you need someone to be a right-hand person. That’s why you may want to consider finding a business manager.
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This is actually something I did in 2017 and it’s been amazing. For the most part, she handles graphic designers, editors and other contractors so I can focus on client work and sales.
Graphic design.
Visual branding matters and at some point, you’ll probably need to invest in it. That was the case for me in 2017 so I hired a graphic designer for social media images. The result? My Instagram and Pinterest keep growing, which means I get more sponsorship opportunities and email list opt-ins. If you’ve done work on your messaging, then consider visual branding as an area you should outsource in 2018.
Editing.
I’m going to be honest with you, other than recording podcast episodes and some occasional new content, I barely touch my blog anymore. That’s because as my business grows I have less time to manage my own brand. I also have less time to do major edits for my own blog.
If your business is also at this point, consider editing as something to outsource in 2018. This will allow you to keep written content updating while you focus on the things that make more money.
Final Thoughts
Business owners cannot do everything by themselves. Period. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you outsource in 2018. In doing so, you as the business owner have more time to focus on the activities that generate revenue.