Systems are all the rage right now in the online world. Everybody is telling you you need them if you want to scale. In this post, I explained what systems are, because let’s face it, nobody tells you what they actually are.
But why is every single successful entrepreneur raving about systems exactly?
Here I share 5 of the main benefits of creating systems in your business.
Benefit #1: systems stop you from procrastinating
Who’s in for that alone?
As online business owners, you have to do everything, especially if you’re just starting and don’t have a team to support you yet. This often leads to overwhelm and procrastination.
Systems are the best remedy for that because they clearly outline what comes next and what you need to do to achieve a specific result. Therefore, you’re less tempted to go off and do something else (like scrolling your Instagram feed instead of following up with a potential client).
Benefit #2: systems save your time in the long run
One of the most common reasons why many online entrepreneurs don’t have systems in place is that they think it will take them forever to create.
It can indeed take a while to develop a system that works for you, especially if you don’t know what to do. But until you get started, you won’t know what works for you, and you’ll keep wasting time reinventing the wheel every single time (or procrastinating…).
Plus, considering that an effective system will tell you exactly what needs to be done to achieve X or Y, then you’ll actually save time. You won’t have to spend hours thinking about what you need to do next or where to store that file.
And, since you’ll have stopped procrastinating, you’ll also save a lot of time! Or at least you’ll get to your to-do list a lot faster.
Benefit #3: systems create consistency
One essential component of a system is the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) manual. SOP’s set out guidelines and provide detailed instructions on what needs to be done and how it needs to be done.
Assuming your SOP manual is up to date, and you follow it, you’ll consistently achieve the same outcome (allowing for things that you cannot control, of course!), regardless of who in your business does it!
Say goodbye to sending a different email with different information each time a new client comes on board!
Benefit #4: systems save you from making mistakes
Another benefit of having SOPs is that you don’t have to remember everything. Your SOP manual should take care of that for you (if it’s up to date, of course!).
Follow it to the letter, and I can guarantee you what you’ll stop forgetting about those smaller tasks that always get missed. And you’ll never again skip that one crucial step that somehow escaped your mind because you don’t use this process very often.
So stop trying to remember everything that needs to be done in your business and start compiling your SOPs. With so much brain space freed up, you’ll have more time for doing things in your business that you actually enjoy.
Benefit #5: systems make your business scalable
Systems are more than just your SOPs. They also set guidelines on how to organise your data and what tools to use when. They basically define how you run the various parts of your business.
Knowing this helps you identify what tasks you don’t enjoy doing and would prefer to outsource so that you can spend more time in your zone of genius and work with clients.
You may not be able to outsource all of them from the get-go. However, as your business grows, you’ll be able to quickly identify the type of support you need and the best people to do the job. Hiring a virtual assistant isn’t always the answer! Unfortunately, that’s what online entrepreneurs tend to do when they’re overwhelmed with the day to day of running their business.
These are only 5 of the many benefits of having systems in place in your business. Unfortunately, many online entrepreneurs don’t spend the time necessary to establish systems until it’s too late. They get to it when their business is on the brink of collapse, or they’re on the verge of burnout themselves.
But I get it. You didn’t get into business to do this boring techy stuff. You’d rather spend time making connections online and supporting your clients. So, I’ve created a FREE guide called The 5 Systems Every Booked-Out Solopreneur Needs to get you started on your systems journey. Enjoy!
