How Much Is Your Time REALLY Worth?
The True Cost of DIY Projects
The Temptation of Doing It All Yourself
When you start a business, especially as a solopreneur, it’s tempting to do everything yourself. It feels like the smartest way to save money.
But what if doing it yourself is costing you more than you think? Not just in dollars, but in time, energy, and missed opportunities?
Are you working for free?
Are you earning pennies on the dollar?
Working for free sucks! There, I said it.
The Reality of Starting from Scratch
In the beginning, unless you’re incredibly lucky, you’ll work for free if you are building a business. For a copywriter, you have to learn how to write—and you also have to learn the business. You have to create a product or service. You need an offer and a way to attract buyers.
What the Gurus Don’t Tell You
Contrary to what gurus and talking heads claim—who will “show you the way” for $250 or more, a pop—it’s going to take time, effort, and yes, money.
I’m not cheap, but I am frugal. For me, throwing money at a problem is dumb. Sure, I could do that. But I’d just be lighter in the wallet when it’s all done, and realize there were better ways I could have arrived at the same point.
If I were rich—with way more money than time—then sure, it would make sense. But that’s not me.
Learning to Ask for Help
When I started, the plan was to do everything myself and make the business pay for itself. Once I started making money, I’d invest it back into the business. It didn’t take me very long to realize I was spinning my wheels with that approach, and I needed help.
So I had to pick my battles. That meant doing as much as I could on my own, figuring out what I needed help with, and then finding the right people to help me.
If it’s going to work, I’ll get there faster, and any money invested will have been worth it. If it’s not going to work, I will also learn that fast. It’s better to fail fast and move on or pivot than to spend months or years going in the wrong direction.
Time Is Money—So What’s Yours Worth?
As they say, time is money. Don’t believe that taking twice as long to do something yourself is saving you money, because your time has value. It’s up to you to decide what your time is worth, or you’ll end up working for pennies just to save a dollar.
If you are trying to do it all, you may have already run into the same things I did.
A Simple Self-Assessment
How do you decide when to seek help? Ask yourself:
What are the things I am good at, that I know I can do myself?
What resources are available to help me learn what I don’t know now?
How long will it take to learn those skills, techniques, or processes?
What do I know I need help with?
What options do I have (coaching, Done-For-You, Done-With-You)?
What are the costs involved?
If you’re stuck or spinning your wheels, this exercise may be worth it. At least you’ll have clarity about what your options are.
Make the Right Call for You
If you decide DIY is the way to go, fine. Go for it.
If not, take the time to seek out a guide or an expert to help you. Sure, there are plenty of people out there trying to make a quick buck, but there are also many professional, experienced folks who have training or who have been where you are, and figured it out.
Seek them out, and let them help you.
Final Thoughts: Invest Wisely
Bottom line, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The key is being honest with yourself about where your time is best spent and when it’s worth bringing in help. Whether you choose to go it alone or lean on an expert, knowing the real cost of DIY will help you make smarter decisions—and build your business faster and stronger.
Remember, whether you are spending money or time, it’s all an investment in your future.
Tired of working for pennies while trying to master every aspect of your business? Solo Prime Copywriting specializes in helping solopreneurs like you break free from the DIY trap.
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