Argh, I just want to do what I love...
Not all the other cr@p!
By Siân Morgan-Owen, Digitally Dazzling
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links for which I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase. I only recommend products I love.
OMG, just not enough hours!
When we first set up our own business it was because we had a passion. Something we love doing and wanted to share with the world. A way to help others with a pain point that needs fixing.
Now, I’m sure like me you’re not naïve so you knew when you were entering the world of fempreneurs your days wouldn’t be filled with just doing what you love! You knew, there would be the crappy stuff you’d have to do that isn’t your ‘zone of genius’, but it needs doing, because let’s be honest, who else is going to do it?!
It’s all fun and games at first learning a new platform or system that manages your lists and tasks, does your accounting and invoicing or posting the odd thing on social media. Then someone starts talking about consistency, digital platforms, funnels, websites and email nurturing. What? I just want to do what I love!
On top of all this you have to find clients so you can keep doing what you love!
It can be overwhelming to manage all of these tasks on your own, so it’s important to prioritise and focus on the most important tasks.
Whether you use a fancy-schmancy app or a good ol’ fashion pen and paper, create a list of all the tasks you need to do. Then prioritise them based on their importance and urgency. Another way is to organise your tasks into categories, such as content creation, marketing, customer service, accounts and general admin so you can focus on one area at a time.
Additionally, it can be helpful to set clear goals for yourself and your business, so you can focus on what’s most important.
Don’t be so hard on yourself, none of us can manage it all. With a head jammed full of great ideas for your business, It’s really easy to get overwhelmed with not just the tasks you know you have to do, but the tasks you really WANT to do.
It’s time to get sourcy...outsourcy
(no, not saucy…what kinda blog do you think this is?)
Another way to save time and manage different tasks is to either employ some help or outsource. Don’t be scared of outsourcing because once you’ve got the knack, you’ll never go back.
Look into hiring:
- Online Business Manager (OBM)
Someone who manages your systems, funnels, memberships, courses, websites, launches. They don’t necessary do all of those jobs, but they manage those that do. If you find an OBM that can actually do a lot of those things themselves… then hang to them…they are gold dust.
Just a little bit saucy!
- Social Media Manager
Someone who takes your content and creates engaging posts and manages your social media platforms.
- Content/Copy Manager
Someone who takes care of writing your blogs, email campaigns and lead magnets etc.
- Virtual Assistant (VA)
Someone who you delegate individual tasks to. You can get specialist VA’s who focus on one specific niche i.e. bookkeeping, admin, customer service etc.
Unsure what the difference is between a OBM and a VA…check out my blog – Online Business Manager or Virtual Assistant, what’s the difference?
- Community Manager
Someone who looks after and engages with your community in your Facebook Groups, Mighty Networks, Tribe etc.
Don’t spend precious time stressing over your books or miss important deadlines. Also ‘Making Tax Digital’ is not too far away.
Or have you simply thought about outsourcing your house cleaning and ironing? You’d be surprised how many hours a week that gives you back.
Draw a line
It’s also useful to set boundaries for yourself, and make sure you’re not neglecting your self-care and your personal life. Setting a schedule that allows you to take breaks and disconnect can help you to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Remember that running a business is a journey, and there will be ups and downs. It’s essential to stay positive and keep your focus on your purpose and your end goal, which is to help others and share your passion with the world.
If you insist on DIYing it
If you’re not financially or psychologically ready to outsource, then save yourself time by implementing the following strategies:
- Automation: Automating repetitive tasks, such as social media posts and email campaigns, can free up time for more important tasks.
- Prioritising: Prioritising tasks and focusing on the most important ones first can help you be more efficient and avoid wasting time on less important tasks.
- Batching: Batching similar tasks together, such as responding to emails or creating content, can save time and increase productivity.
- Time-blocking: Using time-blocking techniques to schedule specific time slots for different tasks can help you stay on track and avoid distractions.
- Using tools and software: Using tools and software to manage tasks, such as project management software or calendars, can help you stay organised and save time.
- Collaborating: Collaborating with other entrepreneurs to share resources, knowledge, and support can save time and help to build a stronger community.
Are you a membership minx?
The overheads of running an online business can quickly add up, especially with the costs of memberships and courses, as well as the fees for various apps and platforms. To manage these costs, it’s important to be strategic and selective about the tools and platforms you use.
- Identify the essential tools and platforms and prioritise them.
- Consider free alternatives for non-essential tools and platforms.
- Take advantage of free trails or freemium versions of apps and platforms. Many companies offer a free version of their product with limited features, which can be a great way to test out a tool before committing to a paid plan.
- Look for ways to bundle or combine different tools and services to save money. For example, instead of paying for separate email marketing and CRM tools, you can use an all-in-one platform that offers both services.
- Budget and track your apps so you can see where your money is going (there’s probably an app for this!)
- Regularly review your subscriptions and memberships and cancel those you no longer use or are not providing value.
Strike a balance between investing in the tools and resources that will help you to grow your business, while also being mindful of the costs associated with running an online business.
Quid’s in…love a bit of free
As previously mentioned, there are plenty of ‘forever free’ platforms and apps out there and it’s good to take advantage of free trails or freemium versions. However, it’s important to keep in mind that free deals often come with limitations, such as limited features or usage limits. These limitations can be acceptable for some businesses, but if you need more functionality, you may need to upgrade to a paid plan.
Here are some of my TOP FREE (or inexpensive) platforms and apps.
- Canva: Canva is a graphic design platform that allows you to create professional-looking designs for social media, websites, and marketing materials. EVERY online business owner should learn the basics of Canva.
- Google Suite: Google Suite is a collection of productivity tools that includes Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Calendar. These tools can help you stay organised, communicate with your team, and share files and documents. Perfect for hosting your lead magnet if you don’t have a website yet.
- Mailerlite: Mailerlite is an email marketing platform that allows you to create and send newsletters, automated email campaigns, and other email communications to your audience.
- Zoom: Zoom is a video conferencing platform that allows you to host webinars, meetings, and other online events. You can also use it to record content for courses or YouTube videos.
- Publer IO: Publer is a social media scheduling tool, ideal if you are posting other platforms not covered by the Meta Business Suite (Facebook and Instagram). Perfect if you’re cross-posting to several platforms.
- Trello: Trello is a project management platform that allows you to create boards and cards to organize tasks, set deadlines, and collaborate with team members.
- Easy Peasy Funnels: Easy Peasy Funnels is not free, there is a monthly charge. However, it’s currently in BETA phase so available at a good locked in price (£57 p/m as of 12th February 2023,). EPF is an all in one platform that can host your websites, email marketing, funnels, social media scheduler, calendar, CRM, course/membership.
- Social Media: Most social media platforms are free, and have BILLIONS of people on them. I’d be surprised if quite a few of them aren’t your dream customer. So, you should be making the most of your social media platforms. If you’ve got a favourite, then stick to that one, but post consistently.
Final Thoughts!
Outsourcing can be an effective way to improve productivity and focus on the aspects of your business that you enjoy most. There are a variety of platforms and subscriptions available that can help with this, and it can be helpful to review them regularly to find the most cost-effective options. Utilizing free platforms can also be a good way to reduce costs. It’s important to research and compare different options to find the one that best suits your needs and budget.
If you’re interested in hiring an online business manager or finding out more about it then book a clarity call with me HERE.
Or please check out my website for more information on social media management, funnel creation, blog writing etc.
This is me, doing what I love.
I would only recommend platforms I love and use myself.
