How to Delegate as a Sole Trader (Even When You're a One-Person Show!)

Feel like your unread emails are forever growing,  social media needs constant attention, and chasing invoices feels like a never-ending game? When it comes to running a business, you often feel pulled in a million directions, but this doesn't need to be the case. Delegation is your key to unlocking increased productivity, reducing stress and growing your business - even as a sole trader!

When to delegate?

While we're big believers in finding the right people for the right job (as are your customers), it's a little bit harder when you're a one-man show and resources are tight. So, when is the right time to bring in a little outside help? If any of the below sounds like you, it might be time to consider some help.

• Burning the midnight oil: If you're working longer hours just to keep up and missing out on your weekends.
• Stuck in the weeds: Constantly focusing on admin or repetitive tasks that take you away from doing the things you love. 
• Master of none: Spend most of your time jumping from task to task, with little to no order or structure. 

What to delegate?

Ok, so it's time to dish out some of your tasks. But what and how to delegate when it's just you? Essentially, you want to delegate anything repetitive, time-consuming, or doesn't require your unique skill set. Here are some prime candidates:

• Social Media Scheduling: Free yourself from the constant posting by using a tool to schedule your social media content in advance.
• Digital Ads: Set and forget your ads with Google Search, Shopping and Display or Facebook and Instagram Ads and let the algorithm do the hard work for you. 
• Data Entry: Let software handle tedious tasks like updating spreadsheets or managing customer information.
• Administrative Tasks: Outsourcing tasks like bookkeeping can free up a significant chunk of your time to spend on other aspects of your business. 
• Appointment Setting: An automatic appointment scheduler that syncs to your calendar not only frees up time but creates a seamless experience for your customer - with less waiting around.

How to delegate?

When you're a sole trader, there are two key ways to delegate: by leveraging business software or getting some outside help. Both have their benefits and allow you to redirect your energy into your business.

Leveraging Business Software

With the right software, you can find new ways to automate and 'delegate' out tasks. With a variety of business tools available, you can get help with anything from social media reporting and scheduling, staying organised, bookkeeping, managing your customers, or (our personal favourite) do-it-all business software like Thryv.

Getting Outside Help

Alternatively, you can also outsource specific tasks to freelancers or agencies to help during busy periods, with big projects or in your day-to-day. Outsourcing to an agency for big projects, running your digital ads or an accountant for EOFY, gives you the ability to maintain momentum.

While life as a stole trader often feels like everything falls on your shoulders, you can help ease the load with technology and contractors or freelancers.

If you're interested in exploring business software that can help free up time and make running your business easy, book a call with one of our Marketing Experts.