Do you ever feel like you’re doing it all?
I spoke today with a health practitioner whose roles range from CEO to janitor. The worst part is, being janitor isn’t even his least favorite role. He often finds himself doing soul-crushing tasks like chasing down payments and dealing with tech problems.
Time to get some help!
The funny thing about my being a solopreneur is that I’m not exactly a 1-person business. Although I’m the only official employee my business has, several people help me make it happen.
What does a solopreneur’s team look like?
I’m offering a peek behind the curtain so you can see where you might get support.
1. Co-consultant who helps me serve our clients. Andy Andrews helps our clients discover their brands and implement their marketing. He’s also a co-rainmaker, attracting clients and strategic alliances. I never have to turn down work that fits our brand, since I have extra capacity.
2. Virtual assistant for marketing tasks (admin, customer service, project coordination). Once I trusted my VA, I asked her to help me sort and manage emails. Over an hour a day opened up for me!
3. Virtual assistant for shopping cart. My most hated task! The best money I spend each month is paying NOT to deal with this.
4. Web designer. Makes things look lovely.
5. Web programmer. Keeps our sites updated. Yes, I can do many of my web tasks myself, but someone else can do it better, cheaper and faster. That’s a clear sign of what to delegate.
6. Video editor. It’s a miracle to find people who seem to read your mind. Stan is smart, fast and good. Another key to delegation is that everyone should either save you twice as much as you pay them or MAKE you twice as much. Stan’s ideas and skills overachieve on all measures.
7. Transcriptionist. Good ones more than pay for themselves by allowing you to turn every recording into added value for your clients or future revenues as an infoproduct.
8. Bookkeepers. I cannot believe I once spent dozens of hours each year doing this myself, because I thought I couldn’t afford to outsource it or – biggest myth ever – that someone couldn’t do it better than I! Tip: find someone who serves others in your field. My gal works with those like me who do business online and in person, so she knows all the payment systems – yes, better than I do. Ah, bliss!
9. Expert coaches and advisors (3 helpers here!)
a. Strategic business coach. Milana Leshinsky is guiding me to the next level of my business. Stay tuned for awesomeness!
b. Life coach. Get out of your own way. Get a coach!
c. Team manager. Think I can manage all these people myself? Tammy helps us organize and assign the work so it all gets done on time and without drama.
Where should you start?
- Where are you wasting time? If it’s not revenue-generating, you shouldn’t be doing it.
- What needs doing that you don’t know how to do? What tasks drain your energy? Someone else is energized by it.
- What never gets done? Be honest: this won’t change.
What’s it cost? What’s it costing you?
While you may feel you can’t afford help, the fact is you’ll stay stuck where you are longer if you don’t reach out. (I know! It’s annoying to even hear that, but it takes a leap of faith to cross the chasm.)
What you truly cannot afford is a bunch of trial and error. You need to know what works and how to apply it, so you can focus on client attraction.
Over the next several posts, I’m going to share resources and insider secrets on how to find helpers you can afford, who will meet your needs (not drive you crazy) and actually grow your business.
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I know I need to do this and have needed to for a while. I’m looking forward to adding a few more people to my team and looking forward to your resources and referrals!
I know you wrote this article for solopreneurs, but everything you said applies to small business owners struggling to make their businesses succeed. Trying to do every yourself in order to save money is a trait shared by many small business owners.
Thank you for a very good article.
Samantha – I ADORE you! You are so-o-o good at what you do. It makes me so thrilled to be in the marketing business whenever I hear your voice or read one of your articles online. Please believe that I offer this suggestion in complete love: This article is “11 Kinds of Help…” but I think someone transcribed it a little funky ’cause there are only 9 numbers listed. It’s a great article, as usual, but it just sticks out that the math doesn’t add up. Thought you would want to know…. ~Barbara O’Toole
Rhonda, you’ll love getting a helper – it’s a gift to yourself.
Gary, great point. I do have a few million-dollar clients who want to micro-manage details or are reluctant to bring in the coaching they need.
Barbara, you’re too funny! Thanks for watching my math. I decided there were three subcategories under the #9 listing, so that makes eleven. But, I just added a little note there for people like you and me who notice those kinds of things (except in my own articles). I appreciate your eagle-eye and of course accept your feedback in the spirit intended. Hugs!
I love reading this post. I know it is the universe answering my call for support.
And yes, it’s a chasm to cross – to even know where to start? When you are not even sure where you are going?
I am in the process of writing my book – Miriam’s Secret – Discovering Your Well of Wisdom, and thinking about how to build the business around it. Wondering where the best place to get help in doing this is so that I can begin marketing it now, even before it is published.
Hi Eliana,
Thank you for your comment. I would say starting with a marketing consultant or coach who can help you with a plan for building the business would be first unless another area is giving you more urgency (taxes, bookkeeping, administration). Revenue generation should always be a priority and following a proven path is better than wandering around on your own.
Good luck with your book and business. It sounds very inspiring!