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To run a successful business, every aspect of your business needs to be dialed in. By creating a manual that outlines every aspect of your systems, you will know it inside and out. This allows you to review everything you currently do and refine any areas that may include unnecessary steps.

When you have a manual that refines each system in your business and properly delegates each task, you can spend more time focusing on other areas to help your business grow. While you don’t have to delegate each task, the mere act of having it properly created and refined creates freedom. Here are three steps to creating a manual:

1. Write the Process

Write out the process for everything that is done within your business. Whether there is only one step or 100 steps, write them all down. Write down everything—every detail, every process and every instruction. By being as detailed as possible, everything in your daily routine can be delegated and executed by someone else. Keep in mind – you don’t have to delegate everything right now. But freedom comes from having every process written out. You will find that you have a lot of steps for some of your systems. That’s ok! Be diligent about writing every step down. This will allow you to focus your time on items that only you can complete.

2. Simplify the Process

Once every step is outlined, determine what steps can be eliminated. During this exercise you will begin to see everything that takes place in your business. Identify each process and determine what steps you can combine together and what you can delete from each process. Every process should be as smooth as possible. At this point, determine which steps require you to complete. In order for your business to grow, refine as many steps as possible so you can delegate tasks to partners.

3. Assign the Process

At first, you will most likely be doing the majority of the processes. As you grow, you have the opportunity to delegate tasks to other people. Look into companies that you can outsource tasks to, such as outsourcing your color correction to ShootDotEdit. Choose competent and reliable people and businesses to ensure that the tasks you delegate will be completed efficiently. To help determine what you should continue working on and what you should delegate, rank your processes with these four questions:

1. What takes up the most time?
2. What do you hate the most?
3. What costs the most for someone else to do?
4. What can only you do?

Remember, the more processes you are able to assign to others, the more time you have to dedicate to other areas of your business to help it grow. The more simplified your business processes are, the more profitable it will be.

Related: Get your FREE email templates for wedding photographers to streamline your communication!

A manual is key to making your business grow and run as smooth as possible. For more insights on how to create a manual to maximize your time in your business, be sure to download our free guide How to Grow Your Wedding Photographer Business.