Build Your Team: Solopreneur Insights, Vol. 18
"Hire people who are better than you are, then leave them to get on with it. Look for people who will aim for the remarkable, who will not settle for the routine."
- David Ogilvy
Let’s start with a quick recap: This series is all about Solopreneur challenges.
The first challenge is: It’s all on you (at first).
So far, we’ve covered:
Now, it’s time for the final step: Delegation.
And, believe me, this is the most difficult challenge for Solopreneurs. After all, part of our initiation process is to tattoo “DIY” onto our forearms.
I’m here to make it easier.
Delegation
Do you remember how I added “At first” to this challenge a few articles ago? There was a good reason for that. You can take care of business from top to bottom for a while. But, at some point, you’re going to identify tasks that:
Cannot be eliminated
You need completed faster/better/cheaper than you can
You don’t want to do
These are tasks that you ultimately must delegate. After all, the business has needs, and the business is the mechanism that funds your personal needs. Better keep it operating smoothly.
Fortunately, Solopreneurship flexes its superiority in the way we delegate. When traditional entrepreneurs identify the tasks above, they hire an employee to complete them. This person is on their payroll, requires management and overheads, gets paid even if work isn’t coming in, and can be difficult to let go if they don’t work out.
Solopreneurs identify these tasks and seek subcontractors to complete them. Subcontractors are often Freelancers or other Solopreneurs. Here are the advantages these team members have over employees:
They’re highly proficient (they can’t survive otherwise)
They require little management (they’re used to managing themselves, just like you)
They can be hand-picked for the task (always a perfect fit for you and the client)
They’re paid on a project basis (no unnecessary overheads)
They can be easily cut loose if they’re not a good fit (most flexible option)
Leveraging the power of delegation can take your Solopreneur business to whatever scale you want. It’s beautiful. But, you can’t just delegate to anyone and expect great results. Here’s what you need to start doing now:
Build a network of powerful people who could ultimately become part of your team
Large companies spend millions each year recruiting talent. They recognize the importance of bringing powerful, smart, driven people onto their team. So should you. When is the best time to do this? You got it: right now. Unless you’re a masochist, you don’t want to wait until you’re up against a deadline and freaking out to seek help. Here are practical steps to help you get started.
Assess your list of daily tasks and systems
Pretend you were hiring out each of these tasks and list the job titles associated with each. For example: assistant, sales, marketer, programmer, photographer, writer, customer service rep, or janitor
Start connecting with others on social media in each of these spaces.
Select the people who are a good fit for you (style, expertise, budget, location, etc.)
Directly discuss the possibility of working together when the time comes
A quick final note about this. Once you start reaching out to people to bring them into your network, don’t be surprised when they ask you to be part of their network. If there’s one thing I want for every Solopreneur, it’s that they learn how to connect with each other and form groups that grow together.
Test subcontractors on small projects with low risk
Once you have your initial network established, test them out with small, low-risk tasks. Again, you don’t want the entire game to ride on their performance at the last second. Give them extra time and clear expectations. Pay them accordingly or trade services. Pay attention to your own interactions and how you can improve your skills in providing direction and feedback.
Start by delegating simple life tasks that are low-cost
Again, Solopreneurs tend to hate being managers. It’s very difficult to be good at something you hate to do. But, I know you’re not going to put a lid on your ability to build a business that truly sets you free.
Start with the simplest, lowest-cost tasks to gain practice. This can be assistant work, research, bookkeeping, mowing the lawn, whatever. I don’t care if it’s using InstaCart to get your groceries delivered. You need to actively train yourself to resist the “I must do everything myself” urge.
It will teach you how to grow comfortable with delegating, the simple steps required to get it right, and to be OK when things are completely “perfect.”
Get comfortable with the concept of a Team
My clients are well-aware of my team. I talk about them all the time, and even bring them into the project directly when needed. I never use the term “vendor” or “subcontractor” when thinking about my team member. Yes, technically that’s what they are. But, they’re much more than that to me. They’re a critical part of my operation and part of my brand.
In case you’re wondering, here are some of the roles I’ve brought onto my team: Designer, Programmer, Artist, Photographer, Videographer, Writer, CPA, Bookkeeper, Fabricator, Installer, Production, Animator, and Strategist.
A couple important notes
First, I’ll review the most common misconception I hear about Solopreneurship, mostly from fellow Solopreneurs. They insist that a Solopreneur is someone who works alone in their business. If you delegate ANYTHING, you lose your Solopreneur card, and have to get your DIY tattoo removed. I’m not sure what they think you become after that, because they never clearly define that part. They just want you out of the club.
Let me define Solopreneurship correctly: A Solopreneur is a self-employed person who operates a business that employs only the owner and leverages the labor of project partners that are not on the business payroll.
Yes, you can operate as a Solopreneur forever without delegating. But, it’s rare. After all, hiring out a CPA to handle taxes is delegating.
Finally, pay attention to labor laws where you live. There are some places that require you to serve a minimum number of clients, or they’ll consider you employed by your client. The same is true for anyone you outsource to. Yes, this is a clear demonstration of large corporations colluding with governments in an attempt to keep their talent from bleeding out into a market that no longer needs them as middlemen to serve customers. Nevertheless, it’s the reality for many Solopreneurs.
Develop the habit
Solopreneurs have a golden opportunity when it comes to delegation. We simply need to grow comfortable with it and get out of our own way. Like any other new habit, it will be difficult at first. Soon, however, the math will kick in, and you’ll be free in ways you never imagined.
– Torrey