How much work do you do in a week?

[bbSquire]

I'm wondering how much time a week a Virtual Bookkeeper can expect to work during the week? How much time do you have free? I know every client has different amounts of work for you and you each have a different number of clients, but I'm just wondering in general.

Do you find that you have an hour or 2 during the week free? Do you have set days off, like no weekend work? Time off in the morning and work in the evening?

I know that I'm undertaking a FULL time business. But how many hours a week am I supposed to consider as work? 48? 44? 40?

Can I schedule time to go to the doctor?

Kim.

[reneeshupe]

The beauty of being a business owner is you set how much time you want to make avaialble for your clients.

This is what I did to determine how much time I was going to focus on my business:

For right I determined my hourly billing rate and how much revenue I'd like coming in on a regular basis this ended up for me that I need to bill a minimum of 3 hours a day or 15 hours a week.

So if we base on a standard work week, I bill 15 hours per week and I decided I didn't want to work more than 30 hours per week on my business so this allows me an addtional 15 hours per week for my own marketing and business development. I include any networking events I'm involved in etc.

My husband works currently in a position where his days off vary, so I try and plan my work time around his schedule. So some weeks I might be working on a weekend. To my clients though, my weekends are mine and not to expect anything from me. If I choose to work a weekend that's my choice.

Really all I'm trying to say is there are no rules when it comes to running your own business. You set your work hours, policies and everything else to how it fits for you.

You can asks 10 different VAs and get 10 completely different answers on how they focus and run the business!

So do what feels right for you and not what you "think" the client expects. Your clients will find you that fit with how you work.

Something I've discovered, is that as I changed how I wanted to focus my business my clients were more like minded in how they approached their businesses so it works on both sides, my clients are now more creative, "off-beat" and unique (just like me) because of the way I set my business up.

That old saying seems to fit "Birds of a feather, flock together"

[Balanced Business Service]

Renee summed it up perfectly.

Decide now how and when you want to work. Naturally we can't predict everything but if you don't set your own structure, you'll be working whatever schedule works out on its own instead of the schedule YOU want to work. What hours do you find yourself available? What is most important to you? Do you work around your kid's schedule? Do you have other people in your life that need you?

In my case, my busy times are Tue - Thur in the morning b/c that's when I have uninterrupted time. Over the summer it will be Mon - Fri up until 3pm b/c my schedule changes over the summer and I'll have more time (which is unusual, summers past it was the other way around). I always schedule my personal and professional appointments around my time. But there are times when I have to go to a late afternoon appointment to help a client (I do a lot of local/virtual). Late afternoon is not a good time for me but the reality is sometimes I just have to do that and make it work. But most of the time, I schedule what works best for me. In the beginning I thought it would be hard to follow MY schedule instead of someone else's but I was pleasantly surprised to find scheduling usually worked out my way and I'm still able to provide a service my client needs (and they're happy to find).

[Dembo Inc]

I think it's all up to you and how much you would like to make as Renee mentioned. I choose to work full days Monday through Thursday, Friday I will be taking calls from clients but will refrain from doing any actual work and the weekends will be my days off.

[bbSquire]

Thanks ladies. Now I don't feel bad about scheduling time to go to my kids events.

[InfinityBLUE]

Thanks, I love learning what others do with their businesses.

[Balanced Business Service]

Thanks ladies. Now I don't feel bad about scheduling time to go to my kids events.

Never feel bad about that!! Have a great day everyone!

[KyleSC]

Kim,

Remember, there is a difference between billable and non-billable time. You may only do 60 hours of billable time during the month. The rest of time is or could be non-billable.

I take time on Thursdays to deliver Meals on Wheels which takes me out of the office for about 2 hours or so. Each client knows this. I really don't work on Fridays (well not supposed to anyway) but what I do is dependent upon what my clients have going at that particular time, if they are on vacation, etc. I also build in time to ride my motorcycle, have lunch with my mom or friends, etc. I may make it up that night, but that is my choice.

I have billed more than 100 hours before and it is tough to do without an intern or someone helping. This speaks to time management, setting boundaries, and really focusing on what you want to do.

[Dembo Inc]

I have billed more than 100 hours before and it is tough to do without an intern or someone helping. This speaks to time management, setting boundaries, and really focusing on what you want to do.

Kyle - I agree, knowing how much you want to make and where you want your Business to go are all important factors in setting your times. I started my business because I want to be there when my girls get home from school and want to be able to cook them a nice meal everyday but I have no issues with working long hours. Just as long as I can be home for them when they need me I am content.