11 Things To Outsource As A Blogger For More Time And Efficiency
73% of bloggers quit within the first year. Not from lack of passion. From exhaustion. You’re drowning in tasks that have nothing to do with writing. The average blogger spends 67% of their time on non-content activities. That’s 20 hours a week wasted on admin, tech, and promotion. This is the breaking point. Your blog isn’t growing because you’re stuck in the weeds.
Quick Answer
Outsourcing blogging tasks means delegating 11 specific activities: content research, editing, graphic design, SEO optimization, social media scheduling, email management, post formatting, analytics tracking, customer service, website maintenance, and content repurposing. A crucial element for successful blogging is a documented workflow that clearly defines what you outsource, to whom, and with what quality standards. This frees you to focus on high-impact activities like strategy and monetization.
You’re not a solo creator. You’re a CEO. Your job is to build systems, not just blog posts. The moment you stop trading time for money is the moment your blog becomes a business. This guide gives you the exact 11 tasks to outsource. The specific tools. The real-world examples. The templates. You’ll reclaim 15-20 hours per week. Your content output will double. Your revenue will follow.
What Tasks Can Be Easily Outsourced? The 11 Non-Negotiables
Not all tasks are created equal. Some require your voice. Your unique insight. Your strategic brain. Everything else? That’s a candidate for the chopping block. The goal is to identify tasks that are time-intensive, repeatable, and don’t require your creative genius. Let’s break down the 11 specific activities you can hand off today.
PRO TIP
Before you outsource anything, use Toggl Track for one week. Log every single task. The data will shock you. You’ll find 10+ hours spent on low-impact activities. This is your outsourcing roadmap. Don’t guess. Measure.
1. Content Research & Ideation
Research is the foundation. It’s also a time sink. The average blogger spends 4-6 hours researching a single 1,500-word post. That’s unsustainable. A research assistant can cut this to 1 hour. They compile competitor data, find statistics, and organize sources. You get a briefing document. You write. That’s the division of labor.
A good research brief includes: target keyword, top 5 competitors, 10-15 data points, and 3-5 expert quotes. Tools like Perplexity AI and Ahrefs make this scalable. Your assistant uses these tools. You get the insights. This is how you create content that ranks. Fast.
SUCCESS TIP
Use a Google Sheets template with columns for: Keyword, Search Volume, Competitor URL, Key Takeaways, and Data Sources. Share it with your assistant. They fill it out. You get a research pack. This system scales to 10 posts/week.
2. Content Editing & Proofreading
Writing is art. Editing is science. The average person catches 70% of their own errors. A professional editor catches 95%. That’s the difference between “good enough” and “professional.” Editing includes grammar, flow, clarity, and SEO optimization. It’s not your job to find misplaced commas.
Platforms like NeuronWriter help with SEO optimization, but human editing is irreplaceable. A good editor will tighten your prose, improve readability scores, and ensure your voice remains consistent. This is critical for brand trust. Bad editing kills credibility.
3. Graphic Design & Visual Assets
Canva is a blessing and a curse. It makes you think you’re a designer. You’re not. Bad design hurts engagement. The average blog post with custom graphics gets 94% more views. That’s a 2x difference. Outsourcing design means custom images, infographics, and social media assets that actually convert.
Use platforms like 99designs or Fiverr. Provide a style guide: colors, fonts, logo usage. Give examples of what you like. A good designer will create a template library. You can reuse these for 6 months. This is brand consistency. This is what separates amateur blogs from professional ones.
More views for blog posts with custom graphics vs. stock images (Source: HubSpot, 2023)
4. SEO Optimization & On-Page Technical Work
SEO is not just keywords. It’s technical. It’s schema markup. It’s internal linking. It’s page speed. The average blogger spends 3-5 hours per post on SEO. That’s 15-25 hours a week. An SEO specialist can do this in 1 hour per post. They use tools like Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, and on-page SEO techniques that you don’t have time to master.
Outsource: meta tags, schema implementation, image alt text, internal linking strategy. This is technical work. It’s not creative. It’s a checklist. A good SEO freelancer will have a standard operating procedure (SOP). They’ll implement it across your entire site. This is how you win in search.
5. Social Media Scheduling & Management
Social media is a time vampire. The average blogger spends 1.5 hours per day on social media. That’s 10.5 hours a week. For what? A few likes. Outsourcing social media means a VA schedules your posts, engages with comments, and grows your following. You create the content. They distribute it.
Tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, or Later make this easy. Your VA can schedule a month’s worth of posts in 2 hours. They use templates. They repurpose your blog content. This is how you maintain a presence without being present. This is how you scale your reach.
6. Email Management & Newsletter Production
Your email list is your most valuable asset. Managing it is a full-time job. The average inbox has 121 emails per day. That’s overwhelming. A VA can filter, respond, and organize your inbox. They can also produce your newsletter. They take your raw content, format it, and send it.
Use a tool like ConvertKit or Mailchimp. Create templates. Give your VA access. They handle the rest. This keeps your list warm. It drives traffic. It’s a direct line to your audience. Don’t let it become a chore.
WARNING
Never give a VA full access to your email account. Use tools like SaneBox or front-end services like Help Scout. You need a buffer. You need to approve sensitive replies. Security is non-negotiable.
7. Blog Post Formatting & Publishing
You wrote a brilliant post. Now you have to format it. Add H2s, H3s, internal links, images, blockquotes. This takes 30-45 minutes per post. A VA can do this in 15 minutes. They use a checklist. They ensure consistency. This is a mechanical task. It doesn’t require your brainpower.
Provide a style guide: font sizes, heading hierarchy, image placement, link color. Use a plugin like “Editorial Calendar” in WordPress. Your VA can see the schedule and format posts accordingly. This is how you maintain a professional look without lifting a finger.
8. Analytics & Performance Tracking
Data is everything. But you’re not a data analyst. The average blogger checks Google Analytics once a week. That’s not enough. A VA can monitor your dashboards daily. They can generate reports. They can spot trends. They can alert you to problems.
Create a dashboard in Google Data Studio. Connect it to Google Analytics, Search Console, and your email platform. Your VA checks it every morning. They send you a weekly summary. You get the insights. You don’t get lost in the data. This is how you make informed decisions.
9. Customer Service & Comment Moderation
Engagement is good. But 80% of comments are spam or basic questions. A VA can moderate comments. They can respond to FAQs. They can escalate important issues to you. This keeps your community active. It protects your time.
Use a tool like Akismet for spam. For real comments, give your VA a response template. They can answer 90% of questions. You only get involved in high-value interactions. This is how you build a loyal audience without burning out.
10. Website Maintenance & Updates
WordPress sites need updates. Plugins break. Security scans are needed. The average site needs 2-3 hours of maintenance per month. That’s 24-36 hours a year. A technical VA or developer can handle this. They’ll keep your site fast and secure.
Use a managed host like WP Engine. They handle updates. Or hire a VA on a monthly retainer. They run backups, check for broken links, and optimize databases. This is insurance. A hacked site can kill your business. Don’t risk it.
11. Content Repurposing & Distribution
One blog post can become 10 pieces of content. A tweet thread, 5 LinkedIn posts, 3 Instagram carousels, a YouTube video script. Repurposing is a force multiplier. But it’s tedious. A VA can take your post and break it down. They can schedule it across platforms. They can create a content calendar.
This is how you dominate multiple channels. You create once. They distribute everywhere. This is the secret to scaling your reach. This is how you turn 1 post into 10,000 impressions. This is leverage.
“The most successful bloggers I know have a team of 3-5 people. They spend 80% of their time on strategy and monetization. The rest is delegated. That’s not a luxury. It’s a necessity to scale.”
What Activities To Outsource? The 80/20 Framework
Not everything can be outsourced. Your unique voice, strategic decisions, and relationship-building must stay with you. Use the 80/20 rule. Identify the 20% of tasks that drive 80% of your results. These are your core activities. Everything else is a candidate for outsourcing.
Quick Answer
What activities to outsource? Start with tasks that are time-consuming, repetitive, and don’t require your creative input. This includes research, editing, design, scheduling, formatting, and analytics tracking. Keep strategy, writing, and high-level networking in-house. Outsource the rest to free your time for growth.
The 80/20 framework means you keep: writing core content, monetization strategy, product creation, and key partnerships. You outsource: everything that supports these activities. This is the difference between being busy and being productive. Busy is working 12 hours a day. Productive is achieving more in 4 hours.
Use this matrix to decide. High-impact, low-skill tasks are perfect for outsourcing. Low-impact, high-skill tasks are your job. High-impact, high-skill tasks are for specialists you hire. Low-impact, low-skill tasks are for automation or elimination.
What Is A Crucial Element For Successful Blogging? The System.
The crucial element is not talent. It’s not luck. It’s not even content quality. It’s a documented system. A process. A workflow. 73% of bloggers fail because they wing it. They have no SOPs. They hire a VA and then complain they’re not effective. The problem isn’t the VA. The problem is the lack of a system.
A system means clear instructions, checklists, templates, and feedback loops. It means you can hire anyone, give them the system, and get consistent results. This is how you scale. This is how you turn a blog into a business. This is the non-negotiable.
📋 Step-by-Step: Build Your Outsourcing System
- Step 1: Document Your Current Process. Record your screen as you complete a task. Use Loom. This creates a visual SOP.
- Step 2: Create a Checklist. Break the process into 5-10 clear steps. Use Trello or Asana. This is your hiring document.
- Step 3: Develop Templates. Create templates for emails, social posts, research briefs, and reports. This ensures consistency.
- Step 4: Set Up a Feedback Loop. Schedule a 15-minute weekly check-in. Review work. Provide feedback. Adjust the system.
- Step 5: Automate Where Possible. Use Zapier to connect tools. Automate repetitive tasks. This reduces manual work for your VA.
This system is your compliance document. It’s your training manual. It’s your quality control. Without it, outsourcing is a gamble. With it, outsourcing is a predictable, scalable machine.
How to Start Outsourcing: The 5-Step Launch Plan
You don’t need to outsource everything at once. Start small. Build momentum. Here’s the exact plan to go from solo to CEO in 30 days.
Step 1: Audit Your Time (Week 1)
Use Toggl Track for 7 days. Log everything. Be honest. You’ll find 10-15 hours of low-impact tasks. These are your outsourcing targets. Create a list. Prioritize by time spent and impact. Start with the biggest time-sinks that have the lowest impact.
Step 2: Choose Your First Task (Week 2)
Pick one task. Research is a great start. It’s time-consuming but straightforward. Create a SOP using the Loom method. Write a job post on Upwork or OnlineJobs.ph. Be specific. “Research assistant for blog posts” is better than “virtual assistant.”
Step 3: Hire & Train (Week 3)
Interview 3-5 candidates. Give them a paid test project. 73% of hiring mistakes are due to skipping the test project. Pay $20-50 for a test. See how they follow instructions. See their communication. Hire the best. Train them using your SOPs.
Step 4: Launch & Monitor (Week 4)
Start with 5 hours/week. Use a tool like Trello to assign tasks. Review work daily. Provide feedback. Adjust the process. Don’t expect perfection on day one. It’s a system you build together.
Step 5: Scale & Add (Month 2+)
Once the first task is running smoothly, add a second. Then a third. Build your team. A VA for admin, a specialist for SEO, a designer for graphics. This is how you build a media company. Not a blog.
PRO TIP
When hiring, look for process-oriented people. Ask: “What’s your system for ensuring accuracy?” The right answer is a checklist or SOP. The wrong answer is “I’m careful.” Process beats talent every time.
Where to Find the Right People
Not all platforms are equal. Here’s where to find your next team member.
Upwork: Best for specialized skills (SEO, design, writing). Rates: $25-150/hour. Vet carefully. Look at job success score (90%+). Read reviews. Start with a small project.
OnlineJobs.ph: Best for general VAs. Rates: $3-8/hour. Great for admin, scheduling, research. English proficiency is key. Test thoroughly.
Fiverr: Best for one-off projects (logo design, video editing). Fixed price. Good for testing. Not ideal for ongoing work.
FreeUp: Pre-vetted freelancers. Higher quality. Higher rates. Good for businesses ready to scale.
Your Network: Best for referrals. Ask other bloggers. Post in Facebook groups. This is the highest quality source.
Tools for Managing Your Outsourced Team
Tools make the system work. Here are the essential tools for managing a remote team.
Project Management: Trello or Asana. Create boards for each task type. Use checklists. This is your command center.
Communication: Slack or Discord. Create channels for different projects. Use threads. Keep communication organized.
File Sharing: Google Drive or Dropbox. Create a shared folder. Use clear naming conventions. This is your asset library.
Time Tracking: Toggl or Clockify. Track hours for billing and productivity. This is your ROI calculator.
Documentation: Loom or Notion. Create video SOPs. Build a knowledge base. This is your training manual.
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Mistakes are expensive. Here’s what to avoid.
Mistake 1: Hiring without a test project. 73% of bad hires could have been avoided with a paid test. Always test.
Mistake 2: No clear instructions. Vague instructions lead to vague results. Be specific. Use examples.
Mistake 3: Micromanaging. Don’t check in every hour. Set clear deadlines. Trust the process.
Mistake 4: Paying too little. Cheap labor is expensive. You get what you pay for. Invest in quality.
Mistake 5: No feedback loop. Weekly check-ins are non-negotiable. This is how you improve the system.
Measuring ROI: Is Outsourcing Worth It?
Outsourcing is an investment. You need to measure the return. Here’s how.
Time Saved: Track hours reclaimed. Multiply by your hourly rate. That’s your cost savings.
Content Output: Measure posts per week before and after. A 40% increase is a win.
Revenue Impact: More content = more traffic = more revenue. Track the funnel.
Quality Score: Use a 1-10 scale for content quality. Is it improving? This is subjective but important.
Stress Level: Rate your stress 1-10. This is a leading indicator of burnout. Outsourcing should reduce it.
Increase in content output within 90 days of outsourcing research and editing (Source: Case studies, 2023)
Scaling Your Blog with Outsourcing
Outsourcing is not the end goal. It’s the foundation for scaling. Once you have a team, you can tackle bigger projects.
Launch a Podcast: Your VA can handle editing, show notes, and promotion.
Create a Course: Your team can help with content creation, platform setup, and marketing.
Build a Community: Your team can moderate, engage, and manage events.
Expand to YouTube: Your team can handle editing, thumbnails, and SEO.
This is how you build a media empire. One step at a time. One task outsourced at a time.
Legal & Ethical Considerations
Outsourcing comes with responsibilities. Protect yourself and your team.
NDAs: Use a simple non-disclosure agreement. Protect your ideas.
Work-for-Hire Contracts: Ensure you own the content they create.
Taxes: Consult a CPA. Different rules for contractors vs. employees.
Privacy: Use tools like LastPass for password sharing. Never share raw passwords.
Ethics: Pay fair wages. Treat your team with respect. This is a crucial element for successful blogging. Your reputation is everything.
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Alexios Papaioannou
I’m Alexios Papaioannou, an experienced affiliate marketer and content creator. With a decade of expertise, I excel in crafting engaging blog posts to boost your brand. My love for running fuels my creativity. Let’s create exceptional content together!
