I started my business by accident when I needed to add to our family income. I had no plan, no understanding of how a business ran, and no plans to grow or scale it. I simply worked day by day IN my business. Scalable growth through delegation didn’t occur to me.
I happened into scaling my business and turning it into an agency. I was fortunate. I later learned to plan and work on my business. Having sustainable, scalable growth doesn’t happen by accident, but rather by design. You can start to have scalable growth through delegation.
How to Have Scalable Growth Through Delegation
You cannot scale without help. If you try, you will most likely hit a revenue ceiling that is impossible to scale without raising rates significantly. As an online service provider, you will hit a maximum number of billable client hours you are able to work per week. Most often, that number lies between 30 and 35 hours per week.
By adding help, you will multiply your revenue, be able to delegate tasks, and have time to work ON your business.
When It’s Time to Begin Delegating
I am often asked when the right time is to start adding subcontractors and delegating. Honestly, if I had known I was going to build agencies, I would have started the agency right from the beginning.
If, however, you are an established online service provider, there are signs it’s time to begin.
Signs It’s Time to Get Help and Delegate
- You cannot accept new clients – your client list is full, and you’ve started a waiting list. Is one of the biggest indicators that it’s time to bring on your first subcontractor.
- You are working more than 30 to 35 billable hours per week. You started a business to help earn an income, but also so that you didn’t have to work overtime and have a terrible boss. Are you becoming that boss? You should not work more than that each week, so you leave enough time for working on your business and new sales calls.
- Your systems and processes are well documented. Have you documented your processes and systems and put them in an easily accessible place? They should be so easy to understand that someone could follow them and provide all your clients’ tasks daily. If so, this is another sign you are ready to delegate.
- Are you feeling overworked, overwhelmed, and maxed out? This can be a sign as well, if all of the other signs are present.
- You want to provide more services for clients, but don’t have the time. This can be a great way to multiply your revenue if you have the help to do it. You may even want to add services you do not provide yourself, but subcontract it out to another provider.
There can be several signs, including that you are ready to scale and want to build an agency. Whatever signs are signaling you, it is probably time to listen.
Delegating Will Multiply Your Services
Delegating will multiply your productivity and your services. When you begin to build a team of subcontractors, you will also multiply your services and your revenue.
By adding a subcontractor and delegating, you will give yourself more freedom and the ability to work on your business. Each time you add one, it multiplies your revenue. And it helps you multiply your work by providing additional billable service hours for clients.
Where to Find Good Subcontractors
The second most asked question I get is about where to find good subcontractors. I suggest you first ask a colleague if they are using subcontractors. They can often refer someone to you.
Next, I would look at directories, especially e-learning directories. I like these because when someone is on there, it means they are taking courses to improve their skills. This also means they are teachable and will be open to following my processes. The last place I suggest is online groups. These are found on social platforms. You can ask others for referrals in these forums.
How to Start Delegating
After you bring on your first subcontractor (or team member), you will want to delegate tasks to them. I suggest you give them a few hours at first and add on if they prove trustworthy and provide good services. This is how I begin delegating with new subcontractors.
Delegation is a process in the online space. By delegating one task at a time, with documented processes, you learn how they work and what kind of work they provide. This will show you if it is the same level you provide for your clients. I never suggest handing them all the client work right away. You have to build trust and see their work.
I think you’ll find this resource helpful. Build Your Agency Checklist is really a resource to help you delegate and bring on your subcontractor(s).
Setting Up Workflow Practices to Scale
Part of delegating is setting up workflow practices so you can scale. These begin by producing your processes and recording them in an easily accessible place.
I used my project management system (Wrike). Inside the project management (PM) system, you can set up a space (folder) for each client. Under each client, you should then set up subfolders for each type of service you provide for that client.
For Example, Providing Social Media Management for Client A
In the project management system, you would label a folder “Client A”. Then, you have to set up a subfolder for each service you are providing. In this case, it would be a subfolder labeled: “social media management”. In the subfolder, you need to give access to your subcontractor, as they will provide the services.
Within the subfolder labeled “social media services,” you will add any client documentation (client logo, colors, photos, etc.) that the subcontractor will need. I then added the processes I had established and documented for providing social media management services for Client A.
Final Thoughts
The first time you bring on a subcontractor and have to set up all your processes and documentation, it can seem overwhelming. I think, however, you will soon find relief as you have more freedom to breathe again. You will also be able to work on your business, not only in it. You may even have time to attend that family event this weekend.
Please reach out if I can help you start delegating and bringing on subcontractors. Set up a Free 30 Minute No Sales Pitch Coaching Session.
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