I’ve been doing a lot of research on outsourcing lately, and combined my own personal refections and experiences for outsourcing myths busted to help you take the next steps towards hiring a VA.

There is always mindset work to be done when you step up. As Gay Hendrik’s calls it in his book ‘The Big Leap’ – it’s pushing on your upper limits. It’s when the excuses kick in and the hesitation starts.

I want to help you push through some of these upper limits, with some outsourcing myths busted, so that you can clear your path and make a plan to outsource in 2017.

Outsourcing Myths: Busted

#1 You can’t afford a VA.

This one was always my barrier. I felt that it was really hard to outsource, grow my business and leverage my time when I had so little money.

I did venture out and have a VA do some small projects every now and then, and I loved the benefits that I gained from it so much that it’s now a permanent part of my plan – because I really don’t have time to everything that I need to do, to grow my business.

As in all things that I do in my business –

I focussed on my first venture into outsourcing as an experiment.

I didn’t need to have money coming in regularly – because I really didn’t at that point! I scraped together some money and paid upfront for a bank of hours. Once they were used up, the contract ended. I think it was only 8 hours in the first place, but it enabled me to have someone transcribe all of the content that I had in video format from a course into text, so that I now have a book just about ready to go.

I knew that what I had was good, and I didn’t want to lose it – and now it’s ready and waiting. It was relatively safe project – but it eased me into thinking about what else they could do – from a project perspective, instead of an ingoing one.

Also, the pressure of having to be ahead of the game every week or month felt like too much for me, so the bank of hours was perfect.

Let me put it this way – what actions take up most of your time in a week?

For me, it’s probably 30% client work, 50% social media, 10 % content creation and 10% admin (generally speaking!

At the moment, that allows me some regular income.

However, consider this scenario

If I had more time to provide client work, and used a VA for just 2 hours a week, I would actually have time to reduce my social media time, and increase my client work. I am still making more money per week – even though I’m paying someone – AND I’m using my time better.

For me, this means that I am actually being WAY more strategic. A VA also helps me plan – so that I know what work to give them, and so that I can tailor my social media to tie in with my products and funnels.

It also means that I can leverage the social media and content I do create so that I can get more exposure for the same amount of work (because a VA can add subtitles, transcribe a video, add my FB images to Instagram etc) – so my list grows, and my conversion of interest into clients increases.

If you don’t have the money now – I get it. I’ve been there, but I do encourage you to start small – just little projects at a time. That way, you will have the systems in place, and someone who knows you well when your ready to roll.

You can book 4 hours, or even 1 hour – just to help you get ahead.

Small jobs to help you get organised, or to create big batch of social media images would be perfect for this.

Outsourcing Myth: Busted!!

#2 No one else can do it like I can

That may be true – but is that the kind of work that you want to be doing? Is it the kind of work that will grow your business?

Every successful brick and mortar business starts off with an idea, and then grows to employ people. They have had to break the important repetitive elements down and train new people to do that work – allowing the business owners to do what they do best, and your business is no different.

Yes – you need to provide the strategy and ideas and drive it, but if you break the tasks down into standard actions with a clear idea of what it will look like when it’s finished, then someone else can be trained to create that for you.

It’s taking the time to get that clarity that can often provide the underlying barrier – but once it’s done, it can free up time for you to work in your zone of genius more often.

mistakes hiring VA

#3 A VA won’t understand my business well enough.

No – you’re right but that’s not a reason to not give one an opportunity to grow with you if it’s the next step for you.

Anyone coming into a new job will take a while to get to know what they need to do, and the philosophies behind the business.

You can start to build that relationship, then they will learn more about you, your why, and how they can really support you as you grow.

You need to start somewhere.

I will also add that if a VA won’t understand your business, then your clients might be finding it tricky too!

#4 I’m too disorganised to have a VA – I would be wasting my money and their time.

This one is a biggie.

Let me ask you this: Will you ever have ‘enough time’ to get the back end of your business organised?

If the answer is no – then get some help – outsource it! Don’t let this be the thing that stops your growth – because you’ve worked too hard to hold yourself back in this way.

If the answer is yes – then make a plan to do it – one thing at a time. It can be really overwhelming, but it will provide a great foundation for your business to grow from – and from there you can feel ready to outsource.

Need help to decide what tasks to outsource first?

If you’re thinking about outsourcing, but not sure where to start, this worksheet will help!
Add your email address below, and download the worksheet to identify which tasks in your business you can outsource.

Your Next Step

If you want some support to help fast track this process, or help you transition to Dubsado, then can book a free systems audit with me so we can determine where to start, and what you need to get up and running with your workflows and systems.

Aerlie Wildy is a business designer. business coach and mother based in the Adelaide Hills. I specialise in designing and systemising business for growth. You can connect with me on Facebook, join my Chief Executive Entrepreneurs Facebook Group, check out my Youtube Channel or Pin with me on Pinterest.