Last verified: October 24, 2026.
The short answer
Small business owners are handing off tasks like SEO, design, and video production to freelancers to get back their time. According to Entrepreneur, nearly half of you folks want more time, and freelance hiring is up 260 percent. You can safely outsource voice over work, search engine optimization, logo design, book layout, translation, and user generated content video production to improve operations without losing control.
The time crunch
I talk to business owners every day who feel like they are drowning in tasks. You know what? Most of you are just bad at firing yourself. Not in the dramatic sense. I mean you need to hire professionals for the jobs that are not your superpower. New data backs this up. Nearly half of small business owners say having more time is their single biggest needed improvement. That is 46.5 percent of folks stuck doing work that should be handled by someone else.
The freelance shift
Freelance hiring by businesses has seen a 260 percent increase in recent years according to Fiverr data reported by Entrepreneur. The freelance economy contributes $319 billion to the United States economy, and the average freelancer earns about $52,000 a year across top markets. This is not a fad. It is a shift in how smart owners operate. You leverage other people time so you can focus on what moves the needle.
Tasks to hand off
So which specific business tasks can you safely hand off? The data points to clear winners. These are standardized jobs where quality is easy to measure and you can step back without the business falling apart.
- Voice over work for ads and training videos.
- Search engine optimization to keep your site visible.
- Logo design and book layout for branding materials.
- Translation services to reach wider audiences.
- User generated content video production to build social proof.
Managing the work
Hiring freelancers is about systems, not just handing off a task and hoping for the best. You need to evaluate platform performance and manage the projects like any other department. If you are running a business that cannot run without you doing every little thing, you do not own a company. You own a job. Outsource the noise so you can step into cash flow and focus on strategy.
Frequently asked questions
Is hiring freelancers safe for my business?
Yes, as long as you vet the talent and document the processes. The data shows a massive shift toward freelance work because it works when managed correctly. You get specialized skills without the overhead of full time hires. Just make sure you are clear on deliverables and keep your core operations secure.
How much do freelancers cost compared to employees?
Freelance hiring costs vary by task, but the average freelancer earns $52,000 a year across top markets according to Fiverr data. This often makes them more flexible than salaried staff for specific projects like SEO or design work. You pay for results and time rather than long term benefits packages.
How big is the freelance market?
Freelancing contributes $319 billion to the United States economy, which is about 1.1 percent of GDP. Businesses have increased their freelance hiring by 260 percent in recent years as owners look for ways to scale efficiently and reclaim their time.
Can I use freelancers for video production?
Yes. Small business owners are commonly hiring freelancers for user generated content video production, voice over work, and other media tasks. This allows you to maintain a consistent content presence without spending hours on camera or editing yourself.
Why do small business owners want more time?
Nearly half of small business owners say having more time is their single biggest needed improvement. Owners often get stuck in the weeds of daily operations and lose sight of growth opportunities. Outsourcing tasks like SEO and design helps break that cycle.
Sources
Get your Transferability Score
Free 14-question assessment. See where your business stands and what's holding it back from a clean exit.
Take the Free Score