Outsource or DIY? Delegation tips and techniques for content creators
In the early days, you’ll probably do everything yourself. That’s normal, and it comes with some advantages.
Pros of Doing It Yourself:
Saves Money: When you’re just starting out, keeping costs low is crucial. Doing things yourself avoids paying for outside help, and that extra cash can go toward other equipment or marketing.
Full Control: This way you’re in charge. You wont have to deal with waiting for someone to edit or design for you, along with no miscommunication about what you want.
Learn New Skills: Doing everything yourself teaches you a lot. Learning video editing, web design, or social media management gives you a solid understanding of how everything works. These skills will help you when you start delegating tasks later.
Cons of Doing It Yourself:
Takes a Lot of Time: Whether its editing, responding to messages, or designing websites, it all eats up hours you could be spending on creating content.
Not an Expert in Everything: Chances are, you’re great at creating content but not at everything else. Trying to do things outside your skillset can end up leading to lower-quality results.
When to Outsource: Freeing Up Time and Getting Better Results
Once your content starts gaining traction, time becomes even more precious. This is where outsourcing can help. Whether you hire freelancers on Fiverr, Upwork, 99 Designs, PeoplePerHour, or work with agencies, outsourcing can help you focus on what matters most; content creation.
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Pros of Outsourcing:
Time Saver: Outsourcing repetitive tasks like editing or scheduling posts frees up your day for more creative work.
Better Quality: Professionals can often do a better job than you, especially in areas where you’re less skilled. A pro editor or web designer can deliver work that’s polished and high-quality.
Allows You to Scale: As your workload grows, doing it all yourself becomes impossible. Outsourcing lets you scale your business while maintaining quality.
Cons of Outsourcing:
Costs Money: Freelancers and agencies aren’t free, meaning if you’re on a tight budget, outsourcing might be out of reach in the beginning.
Less Control: You’ll have to trust others to handle parts of your business. Sometimes, the work won’t come out exactly as you envisioned. This might lead to revisions and more back-and-forth than intended.
Tasks You Can Outsource
When deciding what to outsource, focus on tasks that either take too much of your time or aren’t in your wheelhouse.
Video/Photo Editing: This is one of the most time-consuming parts of content creation. Sites like Fiverr and Upwork offer skilled editors who can take this off your plate.
Post Scheduling: You can automate some of this with tools like Hootsuite, but if you’re managing multiple accounts, a virtual assistant can help keep things organized.
DM Responses/Customer Service: As your following grows, managing DMs becomes a full-time job. A community manager or assistant can help here.
Brand Outreach: Reaching out to brands and managing partnerships can be time-consuming. Freelancers or agencies that specialize in influencer marketing can handle this for you.
Web Design: Your website is important. Hiring a web designer ensures your site looks professional and is optimized for user experience.
DIY First, Then Outsource as You Grow
In the beginning, it’s wise to keep things DIY. It’ll save you money and help you learn the ropes. But as you scale, outsourcing will be essential. It will free up your time, so you can focus on what you do best: creating content. There’s no rush to outsource everything at once. Start with the tasks that take up the most time or require a level of skill you don’t have. As your business grows, you can outsource more and focus on your strengths. In the end, it’s about balance. Knowing when to hand things off will help you grow faster, avoid burnout, and create more opportunities to scale your content.