Running a small business can feel like hosting a dinner party where you’re the chef, waiter, and entertainment—all while answering reviews on your phone. A new Fiverr Small Business Month survey puts numbers to that juggling act: across 25 countries, 70 % of owners admit they spend fewer than five hours per week on marketing even though they believe it fuels growth.

With time in short supply, entrepreneurs are outsourcing tasks faster than you can say “Gig Economy”:

• 46 % hire freelancers for core operations

• 48 % use freelancers for side hustles

• Top freelance roles: visual branding and strategic marketing

Meanwhile, AI is becoming the silent partner at the table: 77 % already use generative AI, and only 17 % say “no thanks” for the coming year.

Why owners outsource AND automate: 

Fiverr’s poll paints a clear picture: small teams crave growth but lack hours in the day. Freelancers fill the expertise gap; AI tools trim the to‑do list. The most popular investments? Digital marketing and social media, with 64 % citing social platforms as their primary promotional stage.

Think of it as a three‑layer cake:

1. In‑house flavor: the founder’s vision and brand values

2. Freelance frosting: designers, strategists, and copywriters who make it look good

3. AI sprinkles: quick drafts, image tweaks, and content suggestions on demand

Served together, the layers taste like saved time and bigger reach. 

How to slice the five‑hour pie: 

As a StoryBrand Certified Guide and Duct Tape Marketing Strategic Consultant, I suggest three practical moves for owners stuck at that five‑hour ceiling:

1. Schedule one “marketing power hour” per week: 

Block 60 minutes. Open your analytics, review what worked, assign one freelance brief, and queue one AI draft. Consistency beats marathon sessions.

2. Build a freelancer roster before the fire alarm: 

Full disclosure: I’m a vetted Fiverr Pro and Top‑Rated Seller, so yes—I’m biased. But having a shortlist that includes a go‑to designer, copywriter or ads manager in your bookmarks saves panic later.

3. Give AI a narrow job description: 

Ask the tool to create first‑draft captions or outline a blog post. You’ll stay in control of tone while halving production time.

Lean Marketing is about removing friction—and this survey proves the combo of freelancers plus AI is the new WD‑40.

Marketing isn’t a luxury side dish: 

Five hours a week may feel like crumbs, but digital channels reward steady servings. Use freelancers for depth, AI for speed, and your limited in‑house time for strategy. Do that, and your next survey answer might sound less rushed.