Create your very own Auto Publish News/Blog Site and Earn Passive Income in Just 4 Easy Steps
Annie
16 September 2024
Reading time: 4 Minutes
Distractions, work-life balance, or tight deadlines are all challenges of the freelance career. Even the most experienced freelancers with years of practice, trial and error need a little help from time to time to manage their workload. The art of delegation for freelancers is also suitable for all stages of your self-employed career!
You've probably wondered if delegating is worth it, which tasks you should outsource, and how to delegate effectively. We'll show you that delegating as a freelancer is easy – and gives you more time to focus on the profitable side of things!
Focus on your strengths
When you do tasks that you are not particularly good at or that you don't like, the process takes up hours of your day. It can also stress you out and reduce your overall productivity. On the other hand, productivity is highest when you do things that you love.
The art of delegating for freelancers starts with knowing what you're not so good at. Be honest with yourself – and try to find someone to do the task for you! Another benefit is that the overall quality of your work will improve because you'll have more time to focus on it.
Outsource the work to other reliable freelancers
You don't have to hire employees to delegate! Use other freelancers in your network to share the workload. This will also improve your future opportunities as they may send you work as well. It's a win-win situation.
Get to know a number of freelancers who work in your industry or a related field. Then, when projects come in that require their expertise, you can outsource that part of the project. Since you found the work, you can also take a percentage of their usual costs as a “referral fee” (usually 10%). Freelancers are always grateful to have a community sending them work, and so are often happy to give you this small amount as a commission – because they didn't have to work (or pay for marketing) to get the gig.
Outsourcing to freelancers also keeps your costs low. You aren't responsible for paying their taxes or overheads, so it's really easy to keep on top of finances. You simply invoice the client the full amount, then deduct your percentage before paying your freelance friend. Remember, their fee counts as a business expense, so when you do your tax return, you only need to report the percentage you withhold for profit calculations.
More time for you
Another important benefit of delegation for freelancers is that it frees up more hours of their day. They can now use this extra time to perfect a skill that could improve the quality of their service or bring them more business.
You could also use this time to reach out to more people and expand your client network. Having more free time gives you the opportunity to further develop strategies and think creatively about new ways to increase your revenue streams. Outsourcing reduces your workload, which can reduce your stress and fatigue levels. You have more time to focus on the aspects of work you enjoy, which leads to you being more satisfied with your career.
The other benefit of having more free time is of course that you achieve a better work-life balance! This can be difficult when you run your own business, so make sure that when you delegate to have more time, you also schedule some of that time as FREE TIME.
Get a virtual assistant
Virtual assistants are a godsend for many freelancers. They take on tasks like booking meetings and travel arrangements, managing social media, and handling administrative tasks like invoices and emails. They can save SO much time each week – and because this type of work is THEIR skills, they take less time than it would take you to do it too!
A virtual assistant could take on a specific task for you, such as balancing your books at the end of each month. Or you could make them a more central part of your freelance business and have them handle all of the admin and even social media matters as well. Many freelancers use a virtual assistant for small tasks at first and then expand their role as the business grows.
Improve your tax return
Your tax returns will be much easier to manage if you have a virtual assistant or accountant to manage your bills and expenses! If your annual tax return is giving you a headache, it's worth getting an accountant to do it for you. This will cost a few hundred pounds. However, a good accountant will likely spot where you can save A LOT more on your tax return, so it's always worth investing in one.
Additionally, you can deduct the outsourcing fees you pay to assistants, other freelancers, and even business consultants from your taxes, so using freelancers to help your business brings you financial benefits too!
How to delegate effectively
The secret to the art of delegation for freelancers is to do it well. Here are some useful tips on how to delegate tasks properly to get the most out of the experience for both parties.
- Write a clear briefing for the freelancer
- Set deadlines – and stick to them!
- Make sure they have the tools needed to get the job done
- Be available to answer questions
- Avoid micromanagement – it misses the point!
- Always remember to thank your freelance colleagues for their work.
The advantage of working with freelancers over employees is that there is flexibility on both sides, so if you find that a freelancer does not complete a project to your high standards, you are not obligated to hire them again.
More tips for freelancers
This is just one of many articles designed to help new and established freelancers succeed in their careers. Read these next!
Create your very own Auto Publish News/Blog Site and Earn Passive Income in Just 4 Easy Steps
