Ep. 13 How To Decide Whether To DIY or Outsource A Task In Your Online Business
If you're building an online business, you've probably asked yourself more than once: Should I try to figure this out myself—or finally pay someone to help me?
And I don’t just mean branding or design (although that’s my zone of genius). I’m talking about everything: copywriting, website building, bookkeeping, client onboarding, trademarking, email funnels, legal contracts, you name it. There is no shortage of things you could DIY in your business.
But just because you can do it all yourself doesn’t mean that’s always the smartest move.
In this episode I’m walking you through the five-part filter I personally use to decide what I should DIY, what I should outsource, and when it’s worth finding a “middle ground” solution especially if you're navigating limited time, energy, or cash flow.
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Why This Isn’t a One-Size-Fits-All Answer
Over the past decade, I’ve lived on both ends of the spectrum: the early-stage entrepreneur who had no budget and needed to DIY everything just to stay afloat, and the agency owner with a full client roster who simply didn’t have the time to do it all herself—even if she technically could.
I’ve learned that neither extreme works long term. Throwing money at every problem doesn’t guarantee results (ask me how I know). But neither does burning yourself out trying to DIY every last task in the name of scrappiness.
The truth? There are some things you should DIY and others that make more sense to hire out. The key is knowing which is which—for you.
My Five-Part Filter for Deciding What to DIY or Outsource
1. Time
The first and most obvious factor is time. Not just how many hours you technically have available this week, but what I like to call your “true margin.” That includes your capacity after client work, parenting, military spouse life, self-care, and all the real-life things that don’t show up on your calendar.
If you’re considering tackling a task, ask yourself: Can I realistically complete this well without sacrificing other priorities or burning myself out in the process?
And remember: even if something only costs you time on paper, there’s still an opportunity cost. If DIYing your website takes you 20 hours, that’s 20 hours you could have spent serving clients, onboarding leads, or resting so you don’t hit burnout. Sometimes it’s not just can I do this myself but is this the best use of my time right now?
Time also plays into urgency. If you’re on a deadline—say, a launch in two weeks—learning a brand new skill on the fly probably isn’t the best move. But if your timeline is flexible, a DIY route might be a realistic option.
2. Money
Budget is the next logical consideration, but I like to go a step further and ask: What kind of ROI am I expecting from this investment—and how do I define return?
For example, if I pay a VA $500/month, I don’t expect that person to directly bring in $500 in new revenue. But I do expect them to give me time back—time I can spend with my kids, on coaching calls, or in CEO mode. That return matters just as much.
That said, if outsourcing a task will put you in a place of financial stress or scarcity—where you feel pressure to “make it work” just to justify the expense—you’re better off finding a more sustainable option. When you’re in fight-or-flight mode, business decisions become reactive instead of strategic.
And of course, if you flat-out don’t have the money, that’s reason enough to DIY. You can absolutely set up a tripod, ask a friend to snap some photos, or write your own site copy for now. Done is better than perfect.
3. Energy
Let’s talk about mental bandwidth.
Running a business takes a lot out of you—and when you're also juggling family, clients, and life behind the scenes, energy often becomes your most limited resource. Before taking on a new task, ask yourself: Do I actually have the energy and headspace for this right now?
If the idea of learning something new sounds exciting and energizing, by all means go for it. But if you’re already at capacity, forcing yourself to push through can lead to subpar work, resentment, and eventual burnout. Your energy is one of your most valuable assets as a CEO—and protecting it is key to long-term sustainability.
4. Skillset
This one’s about knowing your lane. There’s a lot of talk about staying in your “zone of genius,” but I like to think about it in terms of your zone of competence. For instance, I’m a brand strategist and designer, so anything visual is my wheelhouse. But I can also handle things like basic SEO, Pinterest scheduling, and social media content. They’re not my genius zone, but they’re within reach—and I’m comfortable doing them myself for now.
But when it comes to contracts, trademarks, taxes, or anything highly technical? That’s a no from me. Those are the types of things I outsource without hesitation because the risk of doing it wrong is too high.
It’s also important to consider: How critical is the quality level of this task? If you’re creating a logo for your first business with no clients yet, DIY is totally fine. But if you’re writing a legal contract or coding a custom website, “good enough” isn’t going to cut it.
5. Resources
This is where the middle ground comes in. You don’t always have to choose between doing everything yourself and hiring a $10K expert. Sometimes, you just need the right resources.
Think: templates, tools, mini-courses, or memberships like The Six Figure Brand Society where you get professional guidance and strategic support without paying for a full-service experience. You’re still doing it yourself, but you’re not doing it alone.
Having access to tools and support can take a DIY project from overwhelming to empowering and can help you bridge the gap until you’re ready to fully outsource.
The Hidden Cost of “Free”
It’s easy to assume DIY is free—but there’s always a cost. Time, stress, lost revenue, or delayed momentum. I've seen it in my own business: times where I told myself, I can do it, only to spin my wheels for weeks, put it off entirely, or end up redoing it later because I wasn’t the right person for the job.
Sometimes DIY works. Sometimes it holds you back. Knowing the difference is what matters.
So… What’s the Right Move?
Here’s how I like to think about it.
It’s usually worth DIYing when:
You’re validating a new offer and want to keep costs low
You’re not bringing in consistent revenue just yet
You already have the energy and tools to do it well enough
You’re excited to learn the process and want that hands-on experience
It’s time to outsource when:
You’ve already tried and are stuck
It’s draining your time or energy and holding up your progress
The task is too high-stakes to risk mistakes
You want strategy and execution, not just checked-off boxes
And if you’re somewhere in between? That’s where support-based DIY (like my membership or other hybrid offers) can really shine.
Whether you love staying scrappy or you’re ready to hand things off, the decision is yours—and there’s no one-size-fits-all rulebook. What matters is that you make choices that reflect your goals, your priorities, and your capacity.
Need help deciding if branding is something you should DIY or outsource? Take my free quiz: Should You DIY or Outsource Your Branding?
Or if you’re craving done-with-you support at a fraction of the full-service price, come check out The Six Figure Brand Society, my membership that helps you confidently build a standout brand without burning out.
🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned In The Episode:
➡️ Follow me on Instagram @spechtand.co
➡️ Take The Quiz: Should You DIY or Hire A Pro
➡️ Book A Discovery Call With Morgan
➡️ Learn more about The Six Figure Brand Society
🎧 Listen to episode 13 of The Six Figure Brand Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube
