If you run a small business, you’re probably used to donning multiple hats of responsibility. In truth, some of these roles won't exactly play to your strengths or make your heart sing. Even if you have a small team, it's still not always possible to justify employing another head for a niche task or one-off project.

Could working with a freelancer be an option? In a recent study, 65% of SME business owners indicated they would consider this.

Flexibility

Flexibility is a significant factor in choosing the freelance route. It offers a solution to completing a short-term project without any long-term commitment. If you’re unsure whether you can warrant hiring a permanent employee, temporarily outsourcing to experts can fill a knowledge gap or lighten the load during busy periods.

These can become valuable partnerships. You’ll gain a resource who understands your business and can step in to assist when future needs arise.

Breadth of Expertise

In 2021 there were estimated to be around 1.9 million freelancers in the UK. If you think the freelance option is limited to particular jobs, think again. You'll find freelancers with expertise in design, accounting, marketing, and software programming to name just a few. Many individuals have specialist skills within their field too.

As you're not hiring a permanent staff member, you also don’t have to limit your talent search to a commutable radius.

Cost Effectiveness

You pay the freelancer for the task they perform and nothing more. You don't need to consider sick pay, holiday pay or benefits. 

Freelancers usually have everything they need to do their job, so this eliminates the expense of buying equipment for a new employee. 

There are no inductions or ongoing training and development plans to worry about either.

A Different Perspective

Sometimes we can become blinkered by our processes and methods. It's not always easy to take a step back. But, someone less entrenched in the company culture and with experience in different working practices can do this. An outside point of view could offer some insight previously overlooked.

You Can Focus on the Fun Stuff

You might have dreamt of starting your business to do something you love. Instead, your time is swallowed by other demands as you wonder what happened to that dream. 

Outsourcing elements to free up your time enables you to focus on what motivates you. Freelancers are also business owners following a passion. You might not get a kick out of bookkeeping, but there's a freelancer who will. 

If your blog is one of those jobs you could do without thinking about, please get in touch.