“Hi, I’m Tracy Heatley and welcome to this The Power Of Outsourcing For Success And Increased Profits podcast episode of my Be
Better With Tracy Heatley podcast. This is the go-to podcast for small business owners who want marketing and networking hints, tips, hacks, and know-how.
A Whirlwind Month
The last month has been a whirlwind for me – I’ve been busy writing articles for publications, appearing as a guest speaker, and doing something every day to help me reach my goals. By nature of what I do, it’s difficult for downtime. I’m a small business owner two running two companies providing a range of marketing and business networking services. I have a fabulous small team around me, all of whom I’d be lost without. Plus, when I’m always promoting the importance of consistent marketing, I can’t pull back. I must be consistent too!
When I’m Working With Clients On Success And Increased Profits
When I’m working with my clients, especially my marketing mentoring clients, we build marketing strategies, initiatives, and activities over time. The timeframes vary depending on their goals, infrastructure, and current situation. Not many small businesses, especially micro businesses, have the infrastructure for rapid growth. Slow and steady is better than fast and furious for most small business owners.
It’s important to find the right balance of steady marketing without overwhelm and frustration. Plus, if you push too fast and furious with your marketing, you must be sure that you have enough supply to meet demand. Especially if you’re a service provider, because ultimately that demand for your services might end up putting demands on you, your health, your family, and your wellbeing, all of which must be considered when you’re planning your marketing.
Don’t Do Everything That Larger Competitors Do
Don’t be tempted to do everything that larger competitors are doing, because if you don’t have the right infrastructure and building blocks in place, then you’ll end up with business burnout and personal burnout. There’s no such thing as an overnight success! Sometimes, brands spring up, and they’re seen everywhere! They’re not an overnight success! Successful small business marketing builds steadily – one campaign at a time. But, as small business owners, we can’t continue to do everything ourselves.
Grow When You’re Ready
Many of my clients come to me at a stage when they know they need to do marketing, but they don’t know what or how to do it. They’re ready to grow, but they don’t always have a team in place for support. If you’re not ready to start employing or grow your employees, it’s a real quandary to be in. A catch 22 – that’s for sure!
If you’re in this situation, it’s so easy for things to spiral, as you find yourself in a situation where it’s like going around in circles. You know what you need to be doing and end up thinking I should do this, and I should do that, but often end up doing nothing at all. Careful that you don’t should all over yourself. I love that phrase – don’t should all over yourself. I got this from Anthony Robbins during a training session with him back in 2004 and it’s stuck with me ever since.
Outsourcing Can Be A Game Changer
As a small business owner, there is never enough time in the day to get everything done. That’s why outsourcing can be a game changer. By delegating tasks that you don’t have time for, you’re not only freeing up your schedule, but you’re also tapping into specialised expertise that can benefit your business. From accounting to graphic design, outsourcing allows you to focus on what you do best – growing your business. Plus, with more time on your hands, you can finally prioritise essential marketing efforts that were put on hold due to lack of time. In the end, outsourcing can give you more control over your time, help boost business performance, and improve your overall wellbeing. Here’s some vital must know essentials to get you on the right track.
Find Balance With Outsourcing
It’s important that you find the balance between knowing you should, taking action, but getting the formula and the balance right. Outsourcing can help massively! I’m convinced that every successful business owner is nothing without their team, whether it’s a team of employees, supporters, or outsourced suppliers. Don’t go it alone – find the right help that you need. If you want to employ someone but you’re not ready, why not bridge the gap with outsourcing? Once you find the right trusted suppliers, you’ll never look back.
Just because we can doesn’t mean that we should! As business owners with responsibilities for every single element of running a business, there’s an incredible amount of responsibility and business activities to carry out from HR, admin, finance, marketing and sales to name but a few. Most small business owners set up because they’re brilliant at what they do and want to provide a service, or they have an amazing product that they totally believe in. Yes, not many business owners have had formal business training. And, even if they have, it doesn’t mean that they should be doing it themselves.
Stay In Your Lane
I’m trained in all aspects of business. As well as being a Chartered Marketer, I also have an MBA in business. But I stay in my lane – I’m a marketing and networking specialist. So, guess what, I outsource too. I even outsource some elements of my own marketing communications because I recognise that I can’t do everything. The first thing that I outsourced was my accounts and I couldn’t wait. I was formerly trained to understand finance, but I hate doing it, so I don’t. Sometimes, that’s a good place to start – prioritise what you love to do and outsource what you don’t.
Value Your Time
Put a value on your time! Work out what’s going to bring the most money so that you can ascertain where your key focus areas ought to be. If you’re spending time doing tasks that aren’t contributing to the profits of the business, someone else can be doing that for you. Work out everything that you do within your business, what you’re paying yourself and assess your hourly rate. This is so interested to do!
I’ve known directors of very successful and profitable businesses who have done this, only to discover that due to the amount of work (as in time) they’re doing, they’re actually being paid a little bit more than the national minimum wage. I’ve fallen into this at times over my last twenty years in business too. That’s not why went into business, is it! So, let’s stop this right now!
Admit It If You’re A Control Freak, Like Me!
I must admit to being a reformed control freak! I’m reformed because I had to learn to get over myself and if you’re a control freak, you need to follow suit. Being a control freak often means that you’re a perfectionist too, which has so many benefits, especially when it comes to making sure that your customers get the right experience. However, it’s also exhausting! You need to get out of your own way because this is no good for anyone – especially you! I’ve learned the importance of finding people that are better than you.
Let Someone Else Do It
If you don’t like admin, let someone else do it. If you don’t like bookkeeping, get an accountant or bookkeeping professional to do it. Perhaps you don’t know much about SEO – find the right professional company to take over. If you want more publicity, hire a PR agency. If you’re not great at social media, you have no interests, or you don’t have time, get someone else to do it for you. We put so much unnecessary pressure on ourselves to be good at everything and do everything. Often by doing everything ourselves to save money, we’re limiting our opportunities. Imagine how much time you would have for working on your business, developing strategies, and managing business growth. The possibilities are endless!
Financial Constraints
I get that financial constraints may limit what you can outsource, so perhaps start small and gradually learn to let go bit by bit! Remember why you set up a business in the first place. Focus your attention on doing what you love. Other people love to do all the stuff that you hate to do – so let them! Put a value on your time, so that you’re increasing your revenue and profits and paying yourself what you’re worth.
The Need For An Effective Marketing Strategy
Granted, none of this is possible without an effective business and marketing strategy. Planning is going to be essential, but gradually heading in the right direction is better than burying your head in the sand, treading water, or being on that hamster when of never-ending overload.
Set Targets
Your time, energy, motivation and focus all matter when it comes to marketing and networking. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in business, getting the right foundations in place is crucial to your marketing success. Start small and increase delegation over time. Set yourself targets and stages to progress and stop right there! Don’t should on yourself ever again!
Need Help With Your Marketing Journey?
I hope you’ve found this ‘The Power Of Outsourcing For Success And Increased Profits’ episode useful. If I can help you along with your marketing journey, do get in touch, and I’ll be happy to help. I may be a strategic marketing expert, but I’m a small business owner too. I get it! I understand your dilemmas and I’ve experienced them all myself. I get it! So, I’m here to help if you need me.
Find Out More
To find out more about my marketing consultancy, marketing mentoring, networking training, or services, do get in touch via
my website www.tracyheatley.com. There are loads of free resources and blogs on my website too. In the meantime, remember to subscribe to this podcast or listen to some of the other episodes. This Be Better With Tracy Heatley podcast is available on all podcast platforms including: Apple, Amazon Audible and Spotify. They’re all designed to help! Don’t be the same – Be Better!
I’m Tracy Heatley, and I thank you for listening to my Be Better With Tracy Heatley podcast.
Better Business, Better You!