If you’re an entrepreneur, expert or professional looking to leverage your skills and expertise to build a business that serves others, chances are you’ve encountered different consulting options. But which one is the best fit for you? Let’s break down the three most common approaches—Done for You (DFY), Done with You (DWY), and Do It Yourself (DIY) so you can make the right decision based on where you are in your journey.
1. Done for You (DFY): The Hands-Off, High-Value Option
Imagine this: You want a beautifully designed website that captures leads and converts visitors into clients, but you don’t have the time (or desire) to build it yourself. So, you hire a web designer who takes care of everything—from the branding to the layout to the technical setup. That’s Done for You.
With DFY services, an expert handles the work while you focus on running your business. This is perfect if you prefer or want quick results without the hassle of learning the ins and outs of execution.
Best for:
- Busy entrepreneurs and professionals who need expert help without getting into the details.
- People who prioritise speed and convenience over cost.
- Businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals that are scaling and need top-tier solutions executed by specialists.
Real-Life Example: Let’s say you’re a coach launching an online course. Instead of spending weeks figuring out how to build a sales funnel, create email sequences and set up automation, you hire a marketing expert to handle it all. You get a polished, ready-to-use system while you focus on delivering value to your clients.
2. Done with You (DWY): A Collaborative Approach
Now, let’s say you want that same website, but instead of outsourcing everything, you prefer to be involved in the process. You hire a web design expert who guides you, helps you make key decisions and teaches you how to maintain the site afterward. This is Done with You.
DWY is a hybrid option where you work alongside an expert, gaining skills while still getting hands-on support. It’s great for people who want control over their business but also want expert guidance.
Best for:
- Entrepreneurs and professionals who want to learn while they implement.
- Those who have time to be involved but still need expert oversight.
- Businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals who want customised strategies with real-time feedback.
Real-Life Example: Suppose you’re a consultant looking to build an email list. Instead of hiring a full-service marketing agency, you work with a marketing expert who helps you set up your first lead magnet, write your first emails and optimise your campaign. You get direct feedback and hands-on help, but you’re still actively involved in the process.
3. Do It Yourself (DIY): The Budget-Friendly, Self-Paced Route
Finally, there’s the Do It Yourself option, where you take a course, read a guide or watch YouTube tutorials to learn and execute everything yourself. DIY is perfect for those who are resourceful, have the time to invest and want to bootstrap their business.
Best for:
- Entrepreneurs and professionals on a tight budget.
- Those who love to learn and don’t mind trial and error.
- People who want full control over their business processes.
Real-Life Example: You want to create and sell an online course, but instead of hiring an expert, you buy a £297 online course that teaches you how to film, edit, and market your program. You learn at your own pace, implement what you learn, and adjust as needed.
Which One is Right for You?
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Here’s a quick way to decide:
- If you want fast, professional results with minimal involvement → DFY
- If you want expert guidance while staying hands-on → DWY
- If you love learning and prefer the DIY route → DIY
At different stages of your business, you might need different approaches. Early on, you might start with DIY to save money. As you grow, you might shift to DWY for strategy and guidance. And once you’re scaling, you may invest in DFY to free up your time.
In my own journey, I’ve applied each of these options at different stages of my business. Early on, when I was bootstrapping, I relied heavily on the DIY approach to save every penny and build a foundation for my business. As I progressed and developed my services, I shifted to DWY, engaging experts to provide strategies and guidance to help me grow more efficiently. Now, as I am well-established and scaling, I have created and developed enough tools and resources to automate processes and free up my time, allowing me to focus on high-impact activities.
Final Thoughts
Whether you choose DFY, DWY or DIY, the key is to align your choice with your goals, budget and expertise. No matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, there’s a consulting option that fits your needs. The important thing is to make an informed decision that keeps you moving forward.
So, which one sounds like the best fit for you right now?
