Five things you can outsource tomorrow

"It's quicker if I do it myself." I hear it almost every week. And for a one-off task, that's true. But you don't do it just once. You do it every week, often in the evening, when you'd hoped to unwind after a day full of people and microphones.

Outsourcing doesn't have to turn your whole business upside down. Start with tasks that are clear, recurring and don't need much of your expertise. Here are five.

1. Managing your diary and booking appointments

The back-and-forth emails to find a suitable time can easily take fifteen minutes per appointment. Give someone access to your diary and a few ground rules, like "nothing on Monday mornings" and "always keep the morning after a performance free". Then she'll handle the rest.

2. Travel and logistics for performances

Train times, parking, a hotel near the venue, the technician's phone number. Small things, but if one is missing, you're stressed on a platform at half past seven in the morning. Have someone put together a short overview for each performance, so everything's in one place.

3. Sending invoices and chasing payments

Many freelancers send invoices late and feel awkward about chasing payment. A shame, because you've earned that money. Having someone send invoices and gently follow up on unpaid ones at a set time each week saves you hassle and keeps your cash flow healthy.

4. Sorting your inbox

Not everything in your inbox needs your input. Newsletters, confirmations and general questions can be sorted or answered for you. What's left is what really needs your attention. So you can open your email without your heart skipping a beat.

5. Staying in touch with clients afterwards

A thank-you after a performance, a request for a quick review, a message a few months later to see how things are going. It feels small, but it helps clients remember you and book you again. And it's exactly the kind of task that gets dropped first when your diary is full.

How do you start?

Pick one. Write a few sentences about how you do it now and what matters to you. That's enough to get someone else started. After a few weeks, you'll notice you're not just getting time back, but headspace too. And you need that space for the work you're really good at.