5 Tips for Outsourcing on a Tight Budget

Jan 5, 2017

5 Tips for Outsourcing on a Tight Budget

When there’s not a lot of income coming it, it can be hugely difficult to even consider outsourcing on a tight budget.

 

The days of feeling overwhelmed by the list of things to do, the relentless social media posting, spending too much time in the admin/ operations side of my business compared to the days I spent working 1:1 or just engaging with people, solving their problems and supporting them through were massively different.

 

My energy was totally different, and this realisation lead me to trial out some VA work, so that I didn’t have to spend as much time doing the energy-sucking work, allowing me to focus more on the energy-giving work!

 

outsourcing on a tight budget
The benefits were instant though!

 

I am STILL outsourcing on a tight budget (hey – aren’t we all!) but having the work that is not in my zone of genius – or just that I don’t want to do – taken care of by someone else is SO liberating, after spending so much time caught in this trap early on.

 

From a mindset perspective, it goes without saying that your time is not cheap.
For starters – you could be using this time being paid by clients – say $70-$100+ per hour, compared to paying a VA who might be $20-$50+/hour.

 

For you to create social media images, or upload a blog and set up all of the
links, SEO etc and post in your social media – it might take you 2-3+ hours a week, which equates to $840 a month ($70x3hours x 4 weeks).
Alternatively, a VA could do this in less time for less money $40/h x 1-2hrs/week x 4 weeks: $160 – $320.
CAVEAT (You need to know this):
It WILL take you time to provide guidance for the content, review and provide feedback – and I do recommend setting up some systems, and pre-planning to make all of this happen smoothly.

The devil is in the detail, and the planning.

If you’re at that tipping point between not being able to grow your business because your time is taken up with the admin/ operation side of things, or you work part time and need to really leverage your time for your business, then these tips on outsourcing on a tight budget will be perfect for you.

 

5 Tips for Outsourcing on a Tight Budget

#1 [Before you even start outsourcing]
Identify what tasks a VA could do that will benefit you and your business the most.

When you’re on a tight budget, you need to be really smart about where your money goes. Think beyond the usual social media posting support and see if there are revenue generating tasks that the VA could help you with.

 

Some examples could be: during a launch, editing videos for your new program, setting up your sales funnel once you’ve written the copy and mapped out the content.

 

#2  Buy a bank of hours that has a longer expiry date.

Some VA’s have banks of hours that can be used over 3-6 months, and you can have a cheaper rate per hour if you purchase a bigger amount.

I’ve used this strategy, and had a cheaper deal for purchasing 10 hours.

I love the feeling of knowing that I have time up my sleeve, and can plan work to handover!

 

#3  Think in terms of projects or one off support, instead of having the pressure of a monthly commitment.

I’ve also used this strategy – and for more basic VA work, this is great. Just a few hours here and there as a one off job, to help me get it over the line quickly when I just don’t have the time can be really beneficial – for your energy, and your business!

 

#4  If you need monthly support – start small.

There’s no rule that says you have to have a certain number of hours a month, so start with 1-2 hours regularly.
You will need to be super-organised and plan ahead so that your VA has exactly what they need to use these hours effectively and efficiently – but even a little but can make a huge difference.

 

#5 This tip comes from my friend Anne Clark from First Step Virtual Assistant.

Anne suggests thinking about the bigger picture if you’re on a tight budget.

If you have regular tasks, such as blog writing, then you can get a quote from a VA for how long that would take, and the rate.
If you need to blog monthly for a year, you can negotiate a lower rate for providing that service over the year.

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.
systems audit, small business coaching
 
 
aerlie small business coach
 
 
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.

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