Three Small Business Secrets to Getting More Billable Time

As small business owners we're in business to make money doing what we love. And that means we need enough billable hours to cover our expenses, our payroll, upgrades in skills and technology, and profit. But if stay in business for any length of time, you eventually reach the point where you just don't have more hours in the day to give to your business. After all, you have a personal life too. (If you don't have a personal life, you really need to work on that.) So, if you've maxed out on the hours you have available to build your business, how can you get more billable hours?

You have to get those billable hours from time you are currently spending doing other activities in your business. Here are some ways to do that:

  • Delegate out anything you hate to do or aren't good at doing in the running of your business. For example, I hate filing and organizing all my reference materials. So I hire a professional organizer to come in once a quarter to file all the papers I've stacked up, to set up any new files I'll need, to pack up old files on inactive clients and projects, and to reorganize my 10 bookcases. She can do all that for me in 3 hours. When I was doing it myself it took me forever and it was never completed because I'd let anything else distract me from it. So, finding just the right reference book or file was not only hit-or-miss at best, it again took too much of my time. How much time can you recover by delegating out activities and tasks you don't want to do, but that have to get done to keep your business running smoothly?
  • Automate or computerize administrivia, including making regular backups of your computer disk drives. (I learned to get my backups automated after I'd lost my entire contacts database, including my appointment schedule ? sometimes I'm hardheaded about these basic business maintenance things!) In addition to now having automated backups of my computer disks, here's a sample of what else I've automated:
    • Contact management and scheduling
    • Taking class registration and payment
    • Distributing class notes and materials
    • Taking coaching payments via the Web
    • Notification to follow-up with clients
    • Subscribing and unsubscribing to my ezine
    • Broadcasting of my ezine
    • Payment and delivery of digital products
    • Creating eClasses from templates
    • Subscriptions, payment, and delivery of eClasses
    • Tracking of billable time
    • Creating time reports
    • Invoicing
    • Expense and revenue tracking

  • Gracefully get out from under your most time-consuming and energy-draining clients and projects. I know it's difficult to say "No" to a client or a project in today's economic climate. But you can refer these clients and projects to competitors in your network who are better suited to serve them, retain the good will from the clients you are referring out, and free up all that time and energy to work with people and projects you love. Just by relieving all the stress you're under from your Clients and Projects from Hell, you make yourself open and available to more of your Ideal Clients and projects. And, have you noticed, you're more productive and efficient when you're working with your Ideal Clients and Projects?
  • Increased productivity = increased billable hours available

    Put these 3 secrets to work in your business and get back valuable and billable time for doing more of what you love for your Ideal Clients!

    Copyright 2004, Rose Hill, Inc

    _____________________________________

    Rose Hill, Founder and Owner,of Biz Whiz Expert (http://www.solobizville.com) and Team Member of Solo-E.Com (http://www.solobizville.com) has been self-employed since 1990. Knowing how to run corporate departments and how to market corporate entities, products, and services did nothing to prepare her for successfully running and marketing a one-person business. That is why Rose created the SoloBizVille and SoloBizU community - to specifically to help solo entrepreneurs jumpstart their business success without all the trial-and-error learning.

    _____________________________________

    *********** Find more articles like this at http://www.solobizville.com ? Keeping Solo Entrepreneurs Juiced in Business and in Life. Our team of Solo Entrepreneurs are comprised of small business experts who support others in finding business success with the flexibility and freedom to have a life, too. Network with other freelancers, self-employed and Solo Entrepreneurs in our forums, enjoy our articles and newsletter, and find other online training opportunities. ***********

    limo service at o'hare Carpentersville .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
    In The News:

    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says a tech support scam used a fake Windows Defender pop-up, tricking the victim to call and download software.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals ways to restore accidentally deleted text messages on your Android phone.
    A new study says outdoor security camera apps are among the biggest collectors of user data, including phone numbers, payment details and precise location.
    In iOS 18.2 and later, Apple's Mail app enhances email management by automatically sorting messages into distinct categories to help find emails faster.
    A virtual private network (VPN) allows computer and smartphone users to mask an IP and create a secure, encrypted connection between a device and the internet.
    Android 15's latest feature, Private Space, is like a private vault helping to keep your personal or sensitive apps away from prying eyes.
    Cybercriminals have more ways than ever to target teenagers; here are some of the most widespread scams and tricks to watch in order to keep your loved ones safe.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    A humanoid robot named CUE6 has got game. The basketball-playing robot, produced by Toyota, claimed a Guinness World Record for longest shot.
    With electronic signatures becoming more common, Kurt the CyberGuy explains how to produce your digital John Hancock for online documents.
    Kurt the CyberGuy walks through steps he recommends immediately taking after getting new electronics — like phones or TVs — as gifts this holiday season.
    When speaking becomes physically challenging, you can preserve your unique voice using Apple's Personal Voice and Live Speech technology.
    Google Maps is deleting location history soon. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson shows you how to back it up before it's gone.
    iOS 18.2 lets AirTag owners securely share item locations with trusted individuals. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson examines the powerful new feature.
    The FBI is warning timeshare owners of a telemarketing scam tied to a Mexican drug cartel. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson provides steps to stay safe.
    Protecting your home network includes securing your router, just like your phone or laptop. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals six ways to protect your Wi-Fi router from hackers.
    Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson: ConnectOnCall breach leaks sensitive data of 910,000+ patients.
    Rising elder scams: How to recognize them and protect yourself and your loved ones. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you outsmart the scammers.
    There are common habits and oversights that could leave your financial information vulnerable to cybercriminals, according to Kurt the CyberGuy.
    Counting calories just got easier with The Drop, the world's first automated nutrition tracker using advanced computer vision and artificial intelligence.
    A virtual private network can help ensure your information remains security and your privacy remains intact. Kurt the CyberGuy explains.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    Artificial intelligence-based cameras are giving air defense operators unprecedented capabilities in monitoring and protecting airspace.
    Apple's iOS 18.1 Inactivity Reboot automatically reboots your iPhone if it hasn't been used or unlocked for more than three days, providing better data protection.
    An inventor designed rooftop solar panels for a Tesla that draws solar energy while the car is parked, adding travel mileage without plugging in.

    Small Business Success: Thriving During Change (And Landing On Your Feet!)

    If I had $1.00 every time I heard someone say... Read More

    Buy a Flower Shop: Serious Considerations

    You've always liked flowers and you think the idea of... Read More

    Local Government Relations for Small Business

    Most small businesses simply go about their daily business and... Read More

    SBIR vs STTR

    SBIR vs. STTR: If you are participating in the SBIR... Read More

    Building A Business That Works For You

    Before you want to build your business, you need to... Read More

    How Disabled Veterans Can Win Government Contracts

    The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) is a program that... Read More

    How to Bond a Business Relationship

    When should you create a foundation in order to solidify... Read More

    The Perilous Franchise Agreement: What Did You Sign?

    Purchasing a franchise has become one of the most popular... Read More

    The Step Zero Effect

    The key to organizational focus and helping those who need... Read More

    Franchises Must Meet Legal Definition to be an Actual Franchise

    All franchises must meet the legal definition of a franchise... Read More

    Aircraft Washing Service Operations Manual

    Anyone who is serious about washing aircraft as a full... Read More

    How Is the LEGAL SYSTEM Dishing Out JUSTICE in Your Town?

    Thankfully, most of us will never find out. That is... Read More

    Hone Your Edge, Stay Focused

    A common hazard faced by new entrepreneurs is a lack... Read More

    Dispute Resolution of Territory for Mobile Franchised Companies

    Franchisors of home based and mobile businesses need to carefully... Read More

    Buying a Franchise

    Buying a franchise is not for everyone. This guide will... Read More

    Hosted PBX, Is It Right For You?

    "Order Now!" "Your Business Will Fail If You Don't Have... Read More

    Excuses Franchisees Make; When They Violate Exclusive Territory Agreements

    One of the biggest excuses franchisees of home based and... Read More

    How to Find a Microenterprise Loan for Your Business

    If you're looking for start-up capital for your business, but... Read More

    Small Business Failure? Nuts!

    Pardon my enthusiasm, but a large part of your small... Read More

    Don?t Wait for the Perfect Plan

    1. Don't Spend Too Much Time PlanningWhen you are entering... Read More

    Small Business And The Ability To Find Market Place Opportunities

    Marketing is one of the four corner-posts of a solid... Read More

    10 Hiring Tips for Small Business Owners

    As a successful small business owner,you're accustomed to long hours;... Read More

    Corporate Shells

    A corporate shell could be liken to a house that... Read More

    Get Out Of The Rut And Back On the Track

    Do you sometimes find yourself just going "through the motions"... Read More

    How the Humble Ice Cube Made Business History

    Gather round while I tell you the story of Kennebec... Read More

    Fox River Grove limo rentals ..