Starting a solo PR pro business does not mean that you have to work on your own. In fact, many solos today employ some help in running their solo business from VAs to strategic partners to part time employees. In the early stages of your business, you will likely work largely on your own as you build your client base. As your business grows you will find that it becomes difficult to manage the work and inevitable administrative and back office tasks all on your own.  For solo PR pros there are many options for hiring help without hiring a permanent employee. You can hire a virtual assistant (VA), subcontractor or team up with another solo PR pro to manage client work. This infographic from Fundera details the signs that it is time to hire help.

Hiring help, whether permanent or as needed is a great milestone to reach in your business. Initially, it can be scary to budget money to pay someone else, but having help actually allows you to earn more money. Whether you hire a VA or assistant to help with admin or junior level tasks, or partner up with a colleague, becoming solo-plus is a win for your business.

If you are uncertain about hiring. Look at how you are spending your time.

• Are administrative tasks taking more time than you realized?
• What percentage of your time is spent on direct client work?
• How much of your time is spent on non-billable tasks?
• How much money would you make if you spent those hours on billable work?
• Could you expand your capacity if those hours were freed up?
• Would you be happier / less stressed if you did not have to do those time-sucking tasks?

Asking these questions can illuminate how you are spending your time and highlight the areas that would benefit from having help.

Solo no longer means all on your own. Hiring help will allow you to continue to have the freedom and flexibility that motivated you to start your business.

We'd love to hear from you! How did you know it was time to hire help? What helped you to make the leap? If you're on the fence, what's holding you back? Let us know in the comments or on social media using #solopr.

Want more on this topic?  Join Solo PR Pro and check out members-only e-book  From Solo to Boss: Hiring Your First Employee or Subcontractor.

Photo Credit: istock | Filo