I wish I discovered the power of delegation sooner. I wish I had listened to those who mentored me, advising me to delegate or die. They were right. Finding someone to relieve me of certain tasks and teaching them how to do them the way I do was a game changer.
The Turning Point
When I started my digital marketing journey, I knew the importance of creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). It was emphasized in every course and mentorship group. However, I was so focused on mastering my craft and ensuring my work delivered results that I did not fully embrace this advice. I wanted my clients to get the leads, my websites to rank, and my campaigns to perform. Delivering results was my top priority, and hands-on involvement was the only way to achieve this.
Realizing the Importance of Delegation
Looking back, I wouldn’t change my journey, but I now understand that delegation is crucial for scaling a business. For any startup or agency aiming to grow quickly, delegating is essential. Here’s how you can start:
Identifying Delegable Tasks
The first step is to identify tasks that you do daily or weekly that don’t require much thought. These tasks could include setting up WordPress, installing plugins, video editing, uploading content, setting up dashboards, and data entry. For example, setting up WordPress involves installing plugins and themes and changing PHP settings, which can take hours. These tasks can easily be delegated once you have a clear process.
Creating and Utilizing SOPs
I began by recording videos of myself performing these tasks. Over time, as more experienced team members joined, they found better ways of doing things, and we updated the videos. Now, I don’t touch anything related to WordPress installations, hosting setups, or troubleshooting. We have a checklist for plugins, licenses, and procedures, and we review it regularly to ensure everything is done correctly.
Streamlining Video Production: A Case Study
One of my clients used to pay videographers a significant amount to capture a three-day seminar. The costs were high, with quotes of $200 to $300 per reel for eight hours of footage. This wasn’t sustainable. So, we broke down their process and hired overseas staff at a much lower rate with a detailed checklist.
Steps We Took:
- Initial Setup: We hired someone locally with a capable camera. Their job was to set up the cameras and microphones and ensure everything was ready to go.
- Checklists: We included basics like ensuring devices were powered, cameras were on tripods and focused on the speaker.
- Cost Efficiency: Instead of paying $4-5K for a weekend, we reduced costs to $900 by hiring hourly workers.
- Footage Management: We uploaded the footage to Google Drive overnight, and a team in the Philippines edited the clips based on clear SOPs.
Creating Effective Content
In the early days, I developed a system for blog creation. I understood that Google rewards well-crafted content, so I created videos to guide my team through each step of the process:
- Content Research: I recorded how to research top websites and identify successful content.
- Content Planning: I showed how to plan the structure and keywords.
- Content Creation: I detailed how to write, edit, check for plagiarism and grammar, optimize for SEO, and ensure user value.
- Publishing: I covered uploading, internal and external linking, and media creation.
Benefits of Delegation
Delegating tasks has allowed me to focus on high-impact activities and strategic growth. By using technology to automate repetitive tasks, I can ensure my business runs smoothly even when I’m not involved in every detail. This approach has been instrumental in scaling my business efficiently.
Empowering My Team
Delegation isn’t just about offloading work but empowering my team. I’ve built a competent and reliable workforce by clearly defining tasks and expectations, providing necessary tools and training, and trusting my team to execute. Regular check-ins and clear communication ensure everything runs smoothly, and my team feels confident in making decisions and taking ownership of their tasks.
Conclusion
Embracing delegation early is crucial. Create detailed SOPs, hire skilled individuals, and use technology to streamline processes. Doing so will save time, reduce costs, and focus on growing your business. Remember, delegate or die.
