Practical Guide: When and How to Outsource and Delegate as a Freelancer

As freelancers, we're often juggling multiple tasks and clients — it can sometimes feel like we're running a one-person circus. When the workload begins to tip the scales, it might be time to consider outsourcing and delegating tasks. In this guide, we'll discuss the whens and hows of outsourcing and delegating as a freelancer.

Recognize the signs: When to outsource as a freelancer

In the bustling world of freelancing, it's easy to get swamped with tasks. But how do you know when it's time to outsource? Here are a few signs to look out for:

1. You're working overtime: Are you burning the midnight oil more often than not? If you're constantly working late into the night, it might be time to get some help.
2. Your quality of work is slipping: If you're rushing through assignments just to clear your backlog, the quality of your work might take a hit. This could be a sign that your workload is too heavy to handle alone.
3. You're turning down work: If you're passing up on projects because you're too busy, it's time to think about outsourcing. After all, turning down work means losing potential income.
4. You're not advancing your skills: Are you spending too much time on administrative tasks and not enough on developing your skills? If so, consider delegating those tasks and focusing on what you do best.

Remember, outsourcing isn't about admitting defeat — it's about making the best use of your time and skills. As this article suggests, there are certain tasks you should consider outsourcing to help you focus on your core skills.

So, are you recognizing any of these signs in your freelance work? If you are, it's time to move onto the next step: figuring out what to delegate and what to keep. But that's a topic for another day. Until then, keep an eye on your workload and remember: outsourcing and delegating as a freelancer is not a sign of weakness - it's a practical, strategic move for your business.

Select tasks: What to delegate and what to keep

Once you've decided to outsource, the question becomes: what tasks should you delegate and what should you keep? Here are a few pointers to help you make that decision:

1. Delegate repetitive tasks: Tasks that are mundane and repetitive, such as data entry or scheduling appointments, are prime candidates for outsourcing. These tasks don't usually require your specific expertise and can eat up a lot of your time.
2. Delegate specialist tasks: Are there tasks that fall outside your area of expertise? For example, if you're a content writer, tasks like website design or SEO optimization might not be your strong suits. It's more efficient to delegate these tasks to specialists in those areas.
3. Keep tasks that require your expertise: As a freelancer, you were hired for your unique skills and expertise. Therefore, any tasks that require your specific knowledge and skills should generally remain with you.
4. Keep tasks that align with your business goals: If a task directly contributes to your long-term business goals, it's best to keep it. This keeps your focus on the bigger picture and where you want your business to go.

It's important to remember that delegating tasks doesn't mean you're losing control of your business. As this comprehensive guide on outsourcing explains, it's about strategically letting go of tasks that others can handle more efficiently, freeing you up to focus on your core business.

Now that you've got a better idea of what to delegate and what to keep, it's time to find the right people to delegate to — but that's a topic for the next section. Remember, outsourcing and delegating as a freelancer is about making smart choices that allow your business to grow.

Find the right help: Where to find professionals to outsource to

Now that you've identified what tasks to delegate, the next step is finding the right professionals to handle these tasks. But where do you start looking? Here are some tips to help you find the right help:

1. Freelance platforms: Websites such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer are filled with professionals offering a wide range of services. Whether you need a graphic designer, a virtual assistant, or an SEO specialist, you're likely to find them on these platforms.
2. Professional networks: LinkedIn and other professional networking sites can be a goldmine when it comes to finding skilled professionals. Reach out to your network and ask for recommendations.
3. Subcontracting: If you have a large project or an ongoing need for a particular service, consider subcontracting. This involves hiring another freelancer to take on some of your work. For more details on how to do this, check out The Freelancer's Guide to Subcontracting Freelance Work.
4. Agencies: If you have a bigger budget, you might want to consider hiring an agency. They usually have a team of professionals with diverse skills.

Remember, when outsourcing and delegating as a freelancer, it's essential to do your due diligence. Check reviews, ask for samples of their work, and have a clear contract in place. After all, the success of your outsourcing efforts depends on the quality of the professionals you hire.

Manage effectively: How to delegate tasks successfully

Once you've found the right professionals to outsource to, the next step is to delegate tasks effectively. This step is critical—if you don't delegate effectively, you might as well be doing the work yourself! So, how do you ensure you're delegating tasks successfully as a freelancer? Here are some tips:

1. Provide clear instructions: Make sure the professional you're outsourcing to has all the information they need to complete the task. This includes the scope of the task, deadlines, and any specific requirements you have.
2. Communication is key: Regular check-ins can help ensure everything is on track. Keep the lines of communication open, and encourage them to ask questions if they're unsure about anything.
3. Trust, but verify: Trusting your team is important, but you also need to verify that the work is being done to your standards. Regular updates and reviews can help with this.
4. Give feedback: Positive feedback can motivate your team, while constructive feedback can help them improve.
5. Use project management tools: Tools like Asana, Trello, or Slack can make delegating tasks much easier. You can use these tools to assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress.

Delegating tasks as a freelancer can seem daunting—especially if you're used to doing everything yourself. But remember, as the Don't Be Afraid To Outsource Or Delegate article wisely points out, outsourcing and delegating is not about losing control. It's about freeing up your time so you can focus on what you do best.

So, why not give it a try? Start small, delegate a task or two, and see how it goes. You might be surprised at how much more productive you can be when you start outsourcing and delegating as a freelancer: when and how to do it is entirely up to you, but these tips should help you on your way.