I love this thread. That's exactly what I plan on doing but was nervous about how to go about answering those voicemails. I can't necessarily answer voicemails during work hours either which I see as being a problem? Any tips on how to field phone calls after hours?

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Amber

Maybe return calls via cellphone away from the Job during lunch and breaks? If they want to see you right away "I'm (in client meetings, working on a large rush project) most of today - let me check my schedule. (My last meeting today is not far from you/I should be finished the project late afternoon) would 6p.m. suit you?"

Depending on your/their location this might work for you.

Lynne

Originally Posted by Wordpro Wizard

Maybe return calls via cellphone away from the Job during lunch and breaks?

That is how I handle clients/potential clients calls. As I stated earlier in this post (somewhere?!?) I NEVER answer my phone and always explain that it has been scientifically proven that every interruption takes AT LEAST 10 minutes to get 'back up to speed' and it could be THEIR project I was working on when interrupted. No-one has ever argued that point. And, after reading some of the articles below - it turns out I was wrong! Rather than 10 minutes, it takes between 15 and 25 minutes to get back on task!

Here's a couple of interesting articles on the cost of interruptions:

http://www.kmworld.com/Articles/News...ons-14543.aspx

http://www.thepracticeofleadership.n...omment-page-1/

http://www.nbdtech.com/blog/archive/...-are-evil.aspx

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Lily, you're wonderful. Thank you so much for these articles.

I'm also one of those who will not be able to answer phone calls, much less return voicemails, during working hours. Heck, I even eat lunch on my desk! Well, part of the motivation why I want to get out of this office life.

So thank you for sharing the findings

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-Jean
Simplify it, delegate it.

Hi,

I'm still working 9-5 and I have to say is very tough. I get home at around 6pm and make dinner for my family. By the time I sit down to do my work is about 7:30pm, so I try to do all the work up until 11pm. On the week-ends I start at 9am up to 12pm.
I just started my business so I guess as I get more clients, I'm going to work longer on the week-ends.

Originally Posted by karlaamaya

Hi, I'm still working 9-5 and I have to say is very tough. I get home at around 6pm and make dinner for my family. By the time I sit down to do my work is about 7:30pm, so I try to do all the work up until 11pm. On the week-ends I start at 9am up to 12pm. I just started my business so I guess as I get more clients, I'm going to work longer on the week-ends.

I have a similar schedule BUT - I highly suggest you MAKE YOURSELF take Sundays off! Everyone needs at least 1 day of rest if they don't want to burn out...

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Great information and its good to know that there are others that are stuggling with the same issue. This way we can be each others sounding board and understand to offer sound advice.

I work as well full-time but I have no set schedule do to the kind of work I do, so I am not sure I am going to handle juggling both but where there is a will there is a way

Pamela

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Pamela
CMB Business Solutions www.cmbbusiness.com

Office Goddess,
I also plan on working full time until my business kicks off. I haven't officially begun yet, but I already feel overwhelmed. It seems like there isn't enough time in the day. I just got my business names and domain. Working on building the site, and asked a cousin to work on a logo. I was thinking of using a subcontractor for the daytime while I work at night. Have you or anyone else done that? If so, where can I find legal info about subcontractors? I can't find one specific place that tells me what I'm obligated to pay them (as far as deductions are concerned) or how to report the revenue/income. Any info you could provide would be great!
Thanks,

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Shaheda J

Originally Posted by Melissa~HVAS

This is a common question among a lot of new & aspiring VAs, myself included. In reading other forums in the past, the majority of the responses from established VAs pretty much agreed that it's not necessary to state that you work full time outside the home unless you want to. I'm actually trying to turn this into one of my "unique selling points" by promoting that I'm available after hours & weekends to better serve clients' needs.

Melissa,

That's actually a great idea to use it as a selling point. I hadn't thought of that, but now may actually consider it. Thanks for sharing!

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Shaheda J

Originally Posted by Shaheda

I was thinking of using a subcontractor for the daytime while I work at night. Have you or anyone else done that?

I didn't consider that to be a viable option for me, ESPECIALLY while I was in the set up stage because it is MY reputation at stake. Having a sub under me would, in my opinion, cost me MORE time to verify that their work was done properly before I submitted it to a client until I was completely confident in my sub. And, since I do bookkeeping primarily, it would mean adding another layer of insurance to what I already have to protect against THEIR potential incompetence or errors.

I have also heard (and seen first hand) that a business that tries to grow too quickly will often fail just as quickly. I think you are better off to build your business slowly on your own rather than to try and take on the extra burden of a sub.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Originally Posted by Office Goddess

I let clients know that I will return messages within 2-3 hours max. This allows me to call them back during lunch, breaks, etc. I tell my clients that if I am being constantly interrupted, it could be THEIR project that is being slowed down, and that is why I rarely answer my phone and often respond to phone messages via email...

This is another great tip and is actually making me feel less apprehensive about starting this while working full-time. I still have that corporate mentality that calls need to be returned promptly. I'm sure they can understand that they aren't your only client and your 9-5 can be considered another client. Thanks a lot for the tip!

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Shaheda J

While working full time I dabbled for many years, never enough time to market and do the work ... running from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (horrendous demanding career) and falling into bed to get up and do it all over again. If I had a project that needed to be done I'd either work all weekend or take a vacation day or three to deal with it. Vacation? I've not had such a thing in years!

I've recently early retired and moved house - not by choice but due to the illness of my mother and am really getting down to upgrading everything and marketing, in between fixing the house up which has been neglected for some years. Today I did some painting in my kitchen (which used to be a workshop and needs a major overhaul) and fixed the automatic garage doors which were stuck/iffy plus ran the dog, took my mother to her "special place" in the park and went to the building centre for stuff.

I'll feed the pets, have dinner, put my feet, watch tv for a while, take dog for a walk and get to bed early. Maybe I'm just getting old!

Lynne

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The Wordpro Wizard
www.wordprowizard.com

Originally Posted by ciboney

In all honesty I cannot say how possible it is to juggle since I started full time in my practice. In my opinion, supporting a client that needs support during your working hours will be quite a challenge. Since you are not yet full time, the best way to approach a situation like this is to let the prospective client know your hours of availability and see how willing they are to work around your schedule.

Since you started your business can you provide a newbie about how long it took for you to get clients? I know each business will be different but I would love to hear how long everyone took to get their first client. Thanks for your feedback.

Originally Posted by Office Goddess

I didn't consider that to be a viable option for me, ESPECIALLY while I was in the set up stage because it is MY reputation at stake. Having a sub under me would, in my opinion, cost me MORE time to verify that their work was done properly before I submitted it to a client until I was completely confident in my sub. And, since I do bookkeeping primarily, it would mean adding another layer of insurance to what I already have to protect against THEIR potential incompetence or errors. I have also heard (and seen first hand) that a business that tries to grow too quickly will often fail just as quickly. I think you are better off to build your business slowly on your own rather than to try and take on the extra burden of a sub.

I truly appreciate your words of advise and will definitely take them into consideration!!!

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Shaheda J

I am glad to see that I am not the only one that started working as a VA while they still carried a full time job. I know I can build this to get to my goals.

Robyn

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Wiemer's Business Services LLC