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. ***********

    professional maid services Park Ridge ..
    In The News:

    A 2025 data breach at fintech company 700Credit exposes personal information of more than 5.8 million people through compromised third-party integration partner.
    Retailers lose $76.5 billion annually to return fraud as nearly 10% of U.S. retail returns involve fraudulent activity, with $850 billion in returns expected in 2025.
    ShinyHunters claims responsibility for stealing 94GB of Pornhub user data affecting over 200 million records and demands Bitcoin ransom.
    ChatGPT 2025 now connects to Apple Music, Canva, Expedia, TripAdvisor and OpenTable through built-in apps that help users create playlists, design graphics and more.
    Apple releases emergency patches for two zero-day vulnerabilities actively exploited in attacks. iPhone and iPad users urged to update immediately.
    DoorDash launches Zesty, an AI-powered social app that recommends restaurants through conversational search, now testing in San Francisco and New York.
    Cybersecurity firm Infoblox reveals that over 90 percent of parked domains now redirect visitors to scams and malware, making simple typos extremely dangerous.
    The Fox News AI Newsletter covers the latest artificial intelligence technology advancements, including the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    GPT-5.2 is now live for all ChatGPT users with improved coding, writing and image interpretation, with Kurt Knutsson offering his review.
    New iPhone replacement scam uses pressure tactics and fake carrier calls to steal devices from buyers. Criminals claim shipping errors and demand urgent returns.
    Amazon Ring's new facial recognition feature sparks privacy controversy as Electronic Frontier Foundation critics argue the AI upgrade expands surveillance risks.
    New Android banking trojan Sturnus steals credentials, reads encrypted messages and controls devices.
    Denmark's 3D-printed student village proves automation builds 36 apartments faster than traditional methods. Skovsporet project shows housing future.
    Discover Android's new Sound Notifications feature that alerts you to smoke alarms, doorbells, and baby cries even when wearing headphones.
    New SantaStealer malware reportedly threatens holiday shoppers with password theft. This Christmas-themed info-stealer targets browsers and crypto wallets.
    The Christmas season brings a surge in Netflix phishing scams targeting shoppers with fake emails. Stacey P received convincing scam but verified account first.
    San Francisco Giants invite Jamie Grohsong to throw ceremonial first pitch at Oracle Park after he learned to play baseball with a bionic hand following an injury.
    FBI warns cybercriminals are stealing family photos from social media to create fake proof of life images in virtual kidnapping scams targeting victims.
    Instagram's new 'Your Algorithm' tool lets you control your Reels feed in real time. The app now gives you power to customize what videos you see.
    Major Marquis fintech breach exposes 400,000-plus Americans' data through unpatched SonicWall vulnerability, with Texas hardest hit at 354,000 affected.
    Free up iPhone storage fast by clearing large photos and videos from Messages app. Simple steps for iOS users to delete attachments without losing chats.
    Scammers are flooding inboxes with fake tracking alerts that mimic real carriers, exploiting the holiday rush to steal logins and personal data.
    The Fox News AI Newsletter brings you the latest news on AI technology advancements and the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    Texas family reunites with missing 11-year-old cat Grayson after 103 days using Petco Love Lost's AI photo matching technology and community help.
    Tired of AI customer service loops? These insider tricks help you escape "frustration AI" and get real human help when you need it most for urgent issues.

    Passion Is Key To A Successful Business

    Passion. Passion alone can make your business successful. As an... Read More

    13 Steps to Protect Yourself from Your Bank

    The success of your business is critically dependent on how... Read More

    The End -- Fireworks or Fizzle?

    Seems as though there are a lot of business closings... Read More

    The Joy and Hazards Of Finding Your First Office

    Q: I have outgrown my home office and need to... Read More

    Your Babys Ugly..and Youve Got Bad Breath

    I've got good news and bad news. The good news... Read More

    Business Checks are an Added Cost to Your Small Business - Try Making Them Yourself!

    Starting and managing a small business is no fun chore,... Read More

    Franchising VS Business Opportunity; What is the Difference?

    The modern Franchise business model and the much different business... Read More

    Virtual Assistance for Healthcare Professionals

    Administrative and clerical tasks are the bane of every industry.... Read More

    Top 10 Record Keeping Mistakes Business Owners Make (and How To Avoid Them)

    If you interviewed business owners of failed businesses, a majority... Read More

    Two Types Of Business Plan Cover Pages ? Which One Are You Using?

    This is the tale of two business plans with very... Read More

    Naming Your Business: 3 Tips To Ensure Success

    If you are just starting your business, or if you... Read More

    Entrepreneurs Ask: What Can a Virtual Assistant Do For Me?

    Great question!Freeing your time is an indisputably key element in... Read More

    A Business Tail: Veterinarian Foams at Mouth, Chases Tail, Learns New Tricks--Case Study

    Many self employed professionals find themselves overwhelmed, frustrated, and confused... Read More

    7 Cash Flow Secrets Your Accountant Never Told You

    Looking for ways to boost your cash flow? As a... Read More

    Top 10 Rules for Small Business Success

    1. TargetYou are not all things to all people. Decide... Read More

    Do Home Businesses Complicate Small Business Debt Collection Laws?

    The home-based business market, sometimes called the SOHO (small-office/home-office) market,... Read More

    Postcard Marketing ? Low Cost Visibility

    You need to be visible to attract customers, right? But... Read More

    One Of The Best New Business Opportunities May Be Right In Your Home - A New Daycare Business

    The day care industry is expanding. There are now more... Read More

    Is This The Way Its Always Been Done?

    Let's face it, we all tend to get stuck in... Read More

    Creating a Paperless Office

    When working from home, it is usual to find that... Read More

    Round Pegs In Round Holes: The Amazing Secret of Succeeding in Any Business Every Time!

    Success is the desire of everyman on the face of... Read More

    Small Business Opportunities Magazine Business

    A Small Business Opportunities Magazine is one of the new... Read More

    Mobile Detailing Environmental Concern in the Deep South

    Macon, GA goes after garage-gas station conversion detail/hand car washes... Read More

    The Greatest Challenges the Internet Consultant Faces!

    While there are few career paths that some would call... Read More

    Small Business Support Equals Survival

    Support is critical for your small business survival. You may... Read More

    cleaning lady near Lincolnshire ..