Stop Doing It All: Tasks That Small Business Owners Should Be Outsourcing

Running a small business often means wearing all the hats, from CEO to cleaner. But as your business grows, clinging to every task can quickly become a bottleneck.

The good news is that you don’t have to do it all. A freelance Business Support Manager (BSM) can help lighten the load by taking over many of the admin tasks that steal your time and energy.

Here are some key tasks you might be doing (and probably shouldn't be) that are perfect for outsourcing:

1. Email and Calendar Management

Are you drowning in emails or missing meetings? A BSM can:

* Filter and prioritise your inbox

* Schedule appointments and manage calendars

* Set reminders and follow-ups so nothing slips through the cracks

2. Invoicing and Payment Chasing

Keeping cash flowing is crucial, but chasing invoices isn't the best use of your time. Let your Business Support Manager:

* Create and send professional invoices

* Monitor payments and follow up on overdue accounts

* Maintain accurate records for your accountant

3. Bookkeeping and Financial Analysis Support

While they may not replace a certified accountant, BSMs can handle elements such as:

* Uploading receipts and matching transactions

* Categorising expenses

* Preparing financial reports on business performance and KPIs

4. Proposal and presentation creation

Consider delegating tasks such as:

* Drafting client proposals, presentations, reports, or contracts

* Maintaining spreadsheets and updating CRM systems

* Data inputting, clean-up, and formatting

5. Meeting Preparation and Follow-Up

Make every meeting count by outsourcing the setup and wrap-up:

* Prepare agendas and circulate documents

* Take notes or minutes

* Follow up on action points and deadlines

6. Customer Service Support

First impressions matter. A BSM can manage:

* Responding to client queries

* Following up on leads or customer satisfaction

* Booking appointments or sending welcome packs

7. Social Media Scheduling and Content Admin

Not a marketer? That’s okay, your Business Support Manager can:

* Draft and schedule social posts

* Upload blogs or newsletters

* Monitor comments and flag messages for your attention

8. HR and Recruitment Admin

Hiring your first team member or managing freelancers? Use your BSM to:

* Post job ads and coordinate interviews

* Draft contracts and onboard new hires

* Maintain employee records and manage holidays

9. Operations and Project Coordination

Behind every smooth-running business is someone keeping the wheels turning. A BSM can:

* Track project milestones and deadlines

* Coordinate tasks between team members and freelancers

* Streamline processes, tools, and workflows to boost efficiency

* Create SOPs (standard operating procedures) for consistency and scalability

Why It Matters

Delegating admin frees up your time to focus on growth, creativity, and decision-making. Plus, working with a freelance BSM means you get flexible support tailored to your business needs, without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire.

If you’re juggling too many balls, it might be time to hand a few off. You’ll be amazed at how much lighter your business can feel.