Overwhelmed with own business

[butterybiscuitbasic]

Ok so not really an Aibu, but - I run my own service based business and am starting to feel so run down and am unsure how to move forward as feel like I’m on a permanent tightrope.

I probably have a few too many clients for what I can handle and have tried outsourcing but not yet really found anyone reliable. I’m not yet in a position to have an office with staff (well I could but it would reduce my income hugely). I guess I’m just wondering if anyone who’s been in a similar position has by advice?

It’s all going ok, but have that permanent feeling that, if I drop a single ball the lot will come crashing down.

Ok re outsourcing: Do you have SOPs in place? I outsource some of my client work and find them invaluable. If you don't, screen record as you do a task - talking to your self with things you need a specific way "I like this to be done this way because of x" Then go to rev.com and get it transcribed. Then it takes minutes to format. Send THAT to the person you are outsourcing to so they are following your way of doing things.

You need a team for outsourcing to - it could be the bones of the work, e.g your social media etc rather than the work you book in, or dealing with initial client contact for which a VA would be perfect.

I run a similar company but have gone back to work full time and just kept my three favourite clients on as retainers.

Do you tell all clients you’ll get their work done ASAP? It’s okay to schedule them in for later in the month etc. If they want to work with you, they’ll wait. Over booking yourself is going to lead to that sense of panic. I know it’s hard when potentials comment on length of time but be realistic, eg days for research, days for revisions should be included too.

I think you need to revisit your business plan and look at how you can upscale. One of my reasons for going back to employment was to give myself breathing space with my earnings from that which I can channel into an office and staff in a year-ish from now.

With the outsourcing has it been quality of work or are you struggling to let go of the reins? (I’ve experienced both so no judgement). My best successes have been with finding local freelancers I can actually have meetings with.

Find some contractors to manage admin and book keeping. Saved my sanity.

I'll be no help really but DH is self employed and gets very stressed with it all sometimes. I often try to help out when I can after work etc... He's also reluctant to hire someone but needs to really.

Hello OP

Apologies for barging in..

I was an administrator for years, as well as a freelance content writer.
I have lots of experience writing web content and press releases, a little managing social media, and can wrangle clients/chase invoices/do filing/whatever.

Reasonable rates, no job too small!

Please PM me if you are interested.

@23Squared that is genius - best tip I think I’ve ever heard so thank you.

Some really great advice here - appreciate all of it. Have today spoken to a couple of potential people for outsourcing.

@AndTheSeaRollsOn It’s a bit of both - I have a couple of content writer who I do outsource to, but when it comes to more complex stuff I’ve not found anyone who really “gets” it. But that could be me struggling to let go

@butterybiscuitbasic Lol thanks. I am actually an OBM / SMM so I do this all the time when clients tell me they are overwhelmed but can't get people to do things the way they want. Then stick it into a template I have. I mostly create an 'index' document and link them all in there too (they are all stored on google drive, so it becomes a bit like a company intranet!). I often include the original video too as often the contractors want to 'see' how to do bits if you havent included screenshots in the SOP (advised!)

@23sqaured - honestly such a good idea - am going to use that! Have made some inroads into some outsourcing today so thank you