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#1 (permalink)   06-21-2010 Your Virtual Associates New Member   Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 25 for which tasks should you stop the clock? I see that a lot of time tracking software allows you to stop and start the clock as needed. Are there any tasks that may be related to being a VA but not specifically relevant enough to bill the client for? That is, is there a general rule of thumb for when you should stop the clock (besides the obvious unrelated interruptions)? Thanks! -Ro

#2 (permalink)   06-22-2010 Tess Senior Member Company name: Codehead, LLP Latest blog post: SEO Q&A   Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 9,113 Blog Entries: 3 Re: for which tasks should you stop the clock? I bill for anything directly related to the client's project or business development - including phone calls, emails, etc. Are there any particular tasks you had in mind that you were uncertain about? __________________ Create a welcome packet for new clients with this guide and free templates! (Available in PDF and Kindle versions)

#3 (permalink)   06-22-2010 Your Virtual Associates New Member   Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 25 Re: for which tasks should you stop the clock? Yes, actually the ones you mentioned were what I wasn't sure about. Things like emails, phone calls, etc or basically corresponding with the client regarding projects were what I wanted to know about. Thanks for clearing that up! -Ro

#4 (permalink)   07-07-2010 msbeauvais New Member   Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 24 Re: for which tasks should you stop the clock? I have been surprised by clients who questioned billing for this time. I do track this time, too. Dawn Cycle Business Solutions

#5 (permalink)   07-07-2010 Office Goddess Senior Member Company name: The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC   Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 2,966 Re: for which tasks should you stop the clock? I'm with Tess - if it is directly client-related, I bill for it! __________________ Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

#6 (permalink)   07-09-2010 adavant Contributing Member Company name: Alyssa Avant & Company My latest Twitter: There's no way to lose when you increase your...   Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Carrollton, MS Posts: 91 Re: for which tasks should you stop the clock? Do you generally send them a detailed summary of WHAT You did or ONLY if they ask for it? I had a client ask for one recently and luckily I had it to give. I use Time Tracker. __________________ Alyssa Avant http://alyssaavant.com

#7 (permalink)   07-11-2010 Robin_Holstein Junior Member Company name: Robin's Desktop, LLC From the Desktop: Economics for breakfast. My latest Twitter: Can we raise $505.00 by 05/05? http://t.co/CDMGv0a...   Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Diamond, WV USA Posts: 404 Re: for which tasks should you stop the clock? For hourly clients, I bill in 15 minute increments. By doing this, I capture the time spent on routine email. If my client phones, I do make a note as to the start time of the call. That way, should the call last more than a few minutes, I can bill for the time. I do not provide an itemized account of my activities. There is a measure of trust that needs to be in place between me and my client. I figure, my plumber does not provide an itemized bill of every step he took in the two hours of working on a leak, why would I? __________________ Robin A. Holstein Robin's Desktop Virtual Administrative Services My Blog

#8 (permalink)   07-11-2010 dognose Active Member Company name: Laserdog Productions   Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lafayette, CO Posts: 856 Re: for which tasks should you stop the clock? Good question, Ro. I've been wondering about this too! __________________ Lezly Harrison Laserdog Productions - Code that Doesn't Bite

#9 (permalink)   07-12-2010 amylynn Contributing Member Company name: Porter Office Solutions   Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 206 Re: for which tasks should you stop the clock? I agree, if it is related to the client- it is billable. I use freshbooks, which allows you to creat a task list. You can track different tasks and when you invoice you have the choice of showing it or leaving the info out (useful if the client wants details on time spent) __________________ Amy www.porterofficesolutions.com

#10 (permalink)   09-01-2010 Progressive Business Partners New Member Company name: Progressive Business Partners   Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 31 Re: for which tasks should you stop the clock? I think its a wonderful idea to have the itemized and detailed information available just in case a client asks for it. Otherwise I'll just send them an invoice without all the details. __________________ Progressive Business Partners "Progressing your business to the ultimate level"