Work smarter, not harder: use templates in your business
It’s a new month, and you need to create another batch of graphics for your social media.
You just finished a discovery call and need to prepare another proposal.
You have a task you need completed and you want to delegate it, but you need to create another breakdown of what needs to be done before you can delegate to someone else.
You just hired another team member and need to start the onboarding process.
It’s the end of month, and you need to start creating another invoice.
And now, be honest: how long does each of these things take you? How many times do you need to recreate the same thing even within a single month to get the job done?
What if we told you that you don’t need to start from scratch AND you can get this all done in a fraction of the time? Would you believe us?
Using templates can solve all your repetitive problems and more. Keep reading and we will tell you how templates make a difference, and then share with you 5 templates you should be using in your business.
How do templates make a difference in your business?
Templates are beneficial for various reasons. From saving time, to keeping things cohesive, to helping you scale your business, here’s a quick glance at why you should be using templates:
Saves time
Time is money. If you could save time wherever you could, why wouldn’t you? Using templates saves you hours of repetitive work that is not necessary.
Keeps things consistent
Consistency is key within your business. There is nothing more confusing or overwhelming for a potential new client or customer than when your brand colours and logos are all over the place and your formatting…well there is none to speak of. From branding to formatting, templates ensure everything stays consistent, keeping things looking professional.
Avoids error
Now, we cannot guarantee 0 mistakes because we are human, and humans make mistakes. BUT using a template can reduce mistakes. Having all the standard elements already in place gives you the confidence to add what is required, plugging in the details that are needed into an already-existing format.
Prevents brain mush
The amount of pressure we put on our brains to try to remember every detail and design element is insane…and then we do it all over again the next time, and the next time, and so on. No wonder your brain is mush by 1pm! Using a template will allow you to reduce overthinking and fatigue. Save that brain capacity for your zone of genius.
Helps scale your business
As your business grows, so does your workload. If you are spending time reinventing the wheel with every task on your plate, you will never have enough time to get to the other tasks that come when you increase your workload and/or clientele. Templates allow you to get things done quickly and with precision, deliver with professionalism, and grow the empire your business is meant to be.
What are 5 templates you should be using in your business?
There are many different templates you can use in your business that can make your life easier. Here are 5 generic templates we suggest for any type of business:
1. Proposal/contract templates
If you offer the same services over and over, create one proposal/contract where you only change the key details: name, contact information, price, package add-ons (if applicable), etc. The rest should be standard. If you have multiple services, you can have one master template that is applicable for all, or multiple templates where each template is tailor-made for that particular service.
2. Onboarding checklist
Create a list of everything that is involved with onboarding a new employee or client so that you can reuse it whenever you go through the process. This means everything from gathering their information, giving access to apps, following them on social media, adding them to your bookkeeping software, saving their contract where it belongs, sending a welcome email (which should also be a template), etc. No matter how small a detail seems: if you need to do it, make sure it is on the list. Click here for free access to our client onboarding checklist.
3. Social media graphics
In a world where social media is the foundation of your business presence, it can be overwhelming to stay on top of content and graphic creation. Use templates for your graphics to keep your brand consistent while you focus your time on creating quality content for your business, and avoid the added pressure of creating all those perfect graphics.
4. Emails
Emails are one of the primary sources of communication with clients, vendors, and coworkers. Using email templates helps you respond quickly, which prevents your inbox from overflowing, and also has the added benefit of keeping things consistent and professional.
5. Invoices
Invoicing is one of those mundane tasks that NEEDS to get done. The quicker you can get it done the better. Having a template ready to go makes it easier to plug in the details and send it off. If you are using an online accounting platform like Quickbooks Online (QBO), it can mean adding the descriptions and pricing for your products and services in advance so all you have to enter is the quantity!
How can you make your life easier?
The last thing you want to do is recreate something you have done 100 times before. If there was just a way you can have a layout and just tweak what was needed… Good news: there is a way! Create a template!
As we always say, work smarter, not harder…
