Let’s get this out of the way early: You don’t need to be some big agency with a huge team to start delegating. In fact, waiting until you’re “ready” usually means waiting until you’re buried. And let me tell you, training someone when you’re drowning is a recipe for overwhelm (been there, splashed around in that pool).
If you’re a solopreneur who’s starting to feel the cracks, or just wondering what you’d even hand off if you brought in help—this post is for you.
Let’s break it all down.
First Things First: How Do You Know You’re Ready to Delegate?
Most people think the tipping point is having extra cash lying around. But really, the signs start way earlier:
- You’re working late or cutting into your personal time to stay caught up.
- There are tasks you straight-up avoid (hello, bookkeeping).
- You’ve hit your capacity but are still saying yes to new work.
- You could afford help if you trimmed your pay just a little—at least for now.
Hot tip: It’s actually better to bring someone in before you’re drowning. That way, you can properly train and onboard them, and they’re not learning in the chaos.
What Should You Delegate First?
Here’s your starter pack:
1. Simple, Repeatable Tasks
These are perfect to hand off because they’re easy to train and free up a surprising amount of time.
For me, this looked like:
- Organizing files
- Uploading blog posts
- Publishing podcast episodes
- Swapping out watermarked images
- Prepping final branding files
2. Stuff You Avoid Like the Plague
You know what I’m talking about. The tasks that sit on your to-do list… quietly judging you.
For me, this included:
- Bookkeeping + tax filing
- Tiny project updates
- Employee handbook creation
- Basically anything HR-related
3. Eventually: Everything Outside Your Zone of Genius
Once your basics are covered, it’s time to go deeper. What do you do best? What actually moves the needle for your business? That’s where your time should go. Everything else? Fair game to pass off.
My Team Over the Years (and Who I’ve Delegated To)
Team structures evolve, and mine definitely has. I’ve gone from solo to small team, back to leaner seasons, and everything in between.
Here’s a peek at the types of help I’ve brought in:
- Developer: When I was on WordPress and needed help beyond my coding skills (now only as-needed since switching to Showit)
- Virtual Assistant: Helped with admin tasks like podcast publishing, blog posting, ordering client gifts, etc.
- Assistant Designer: Took on smaller tasks to support the design workflow
- Brand Designer: Designed brands under my creative direction
- Showit Designer: Customized templates for clients
- Project Manager: Oversaw project timelines and client communication
- Podcast Editor: Edited my episodes—though now I do these myself again
- Bookkeeper & Accountant: Handles quarterly books and taxes (bless)
- HR Support: Helped with employee setup, payroll, and compliance
Not all of these roles are active now, but every single one helped move my business forward when I needed it.
Where to Find Your People
Hiring feels intimidating until you realize your dream hire might already be in your orbit. Here’s where I’ve found great support over the years:
- Online job boards (like OnlineJobs.ph for VAs in the Philippines)
- Facebook groups (especially entrepreneur-focused ones—though these are quieter now)
- FreelancingFemales.com: Great directory for creative contractors
- Your own audience: Don’t underestimate the power of posting to your social media!
- Referrals from your network: Some of my best hires came from mastermind groups and biz friends
Let’s Talk Money: Can You Afford to Delegate?
Sometimes the biggest hurdle isn’t finding the right person—it’s convincing yourself it’s okay to spend the money.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Sometimes you need to pay yourself a little less short-term to open up your time and grow long-term.
- Delegating frees up your energy and time to focus on your most valuable work—aka the stuff that actually brings in more revenue.
- The longer you hold onto everything, the more expensive it becomes—mentally, financially, emotionally.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to do it all.
Whether you’re building a full team or just ready to outsource one tiny task, that decision is a powerful investment in your business and your wellbeing.
Start small. Train slowly. Stay in your zone of genius as much as you can. And give yourself permission to get help—before it all feels like too much.
Need help delegating your website, branding, or systems? That’s where I come in. Explore our services at In Flow Design Co or book a consult call here.
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