Writing SOPs: The Bane of Every Entrepreneur’s Existence (But Essential for Your Business)
Let’s be honest—writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) isn’t exactly what most entrepreneurs dream about when they start a business. It’s not exciting, it’s not glamorous, and for many of us, it’s the task that keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the to-do list.
But after 15+ years of helping businesses get their processes organized, I can tell you this: Clear, actionable SOPs are one of the most powerful tools you can create to help your business run smoothly—no matter who’s at the wheel.
I’ve seen both sides of this. I’ve been brought in to help businesses build rock-solid SOPs that keep operations running like clockwork. And I’ve also been called in after the crisis—when key team members were suddenly unavailable, processes broke down, and people were scrambling to figure out what to do next.
Most of those stressful situations could have been avoided with one simple but game-changing habit.
The Simple Trick That Changes Everything: Start Every Step with a Verb
If I could give you just one piece of advice that will immediately improve your SOPs, it’s this:
👉 Always start each step with a verb.
It sounds basic, but it makes all the difference.
When you lead with a verb—words like “Click,” “Open,” “Say,” “Enter”—you turn information into action. And action is exactly what your team needs when they’re following a process.
Without action words, documentation turns into vague suggestions or overwhelming brain dumps, leaving people wondering, 'What do I actually need to do here?’
With verbs, you create clear next steps:
✅ Click the “Settings” tab.
✅ Say: “Thank you for calling. How can I help you today?”
✅ Enter the client’s name into the “Search” field.
Imagine You’re Right There, Guiding Them Step by Step
The best SOPs make people feel like they’re being gently walked through the process by someone who knows the way.
For example:
Look for the “Reports” section on the dashboard.
Click the “Download” button.
Save the file to the “Monthly Reports” folder.
Even if someone is brand new to the task, they can follow along with confidence when the steps are clear and actionable.
Add Context, But Keep It Actionable
Of course, not every situation is black and white. Sometimes you’ll need to add context:
“If you don’t see the button, refresh the page.”
“To avoid mistakes, double-check the client’s name before saving.”
That’s completely fine—as long as the core instructions remain verb-driven and actionable.
A Lesson Learned from 15+ Years of Experience
After years of helping businesses create order from chaos, I can tell you this:
The businesses that thrive are the ones that take the time to document how things get done—clearly, consistently, and with the end user in mind.
The entrepreneurs who create solid SOPs are the ones who finally get to step out of the day-to-day and focus on growth.
And the good news? Writing helpful SOPs doesn’t have to be complicated.
Coming Soon: The Done-With-You SOP Toolkit
To make this even easier, I’m excited to share that we’re launching a Done-With-You SOP Toolkit—created specifically for busy entrepreneurs who need to document their processes quickly, with minimal fuss, and maximum impact.
This toolkit is designed to help you get your SOPs done without the overwhelm, so you can free yourself from being the only one who knows how things work.
👉 I’d love your input: What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to writing SOPs or documenting your processes?
Your feedback will help shape this toolkit so it tackles the real problems you’re facing.
Drop your thoughts in the comments or reach out—I’d love to hear from you.
