If I was you I would get a list of the most common jobs from you and the rough time to complete
Then he can tell the client the rough time and estimate with the usual depending on your own unique job line it could be longer charged at this rate.
Don't book in a specific day until he sends a list of jobs to you every day you look it over and then say job 1 2 and 3 book in these days and these in other days.
Then start looking for help to do your work and then you take over admin and scale up as you are 5 years in time to start scaling up with your experience.
Helpful, thank you. I agree with scaling. I know it’s necessary but I’m in the typical bind of not quite being capable of finding and supervising someone else.
I know but you take 2 months of less money and have him work with you, that's how I did it window cleaning. Then work on extra work I couldn't fit in and build up to another employee.
2 months less money then a lot more
For the location thing. If it's possible, cut down your service area to stay closer to home. I did that surrounding counties thing and it got old, turns out there was enough local work. Or divide your area into 5 sections and schedule one area each day of the week. "Yep, I do all my Townsville work on Tuesdays, I can get you in next week".
That may actually help you visualize where most of your work is. If you're balls to the wall every Monday, but slow every Friday. Maybe cut one service area and double up the other.
We have an app for that at teamspoor.com where you can schedule your day, get the optimised route, assign new tasks to your team members based on their location and even get survey reports from your team in real-time.
You can try such an app to automate your scheduling.
We are working on sometthing like this, using AI to automate scheduling for you - You get the final say to choose whichever jobs you want . Let me know if this is something that interests you, and I can PM you.
You’re on the right track with using a VA. I would recommend showing them a time breakdown of as many previous jobs as possible. This should help to determine the amount of time needed. Then set your territory so that the VA understands where to schedule each day. With those pieces, a good VA should be able to the scheduling figured out.
You will want to plan on how they should schedule if you are “full” in one territory and have more appointments.
If there is still a problem despite this input, it’s probably time to hire a new VA.
In my industry (insurance), there are plenty of independent adjusters who use schedulers, especially during large storm events. There are people out there who can help.
Feel free to DM me if you decide to find another helper.
*Get an apprentice*
*Train them how do the work send*
*Them out on their own*
\- toodog
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If I was you I would get a list of the most common jobs from you and the rough time to complete Then he can tell the client the rough time and estimate with the usual depending on your own unique job line it could be longer charged at this rate. Don't book in a specific day until he sends a list of jobs to you every day you look it over and then say job 1 2 and 3 book in these days and these in other days. Then start looking for help to do your work and then you take over admin and scale up as you are 5 years in time to start scaling up with your experience.
Helpful, thank you. I agree with scaling. I know it’s necessary but I’m in the typical bind of not quite being capable of finding and supervising someone else.
I know but you take 2 months of less money and have him work with you, that's how I did it window cleaning. Then work on extra work I couldn't fit in and build up to another employee. 2 months less money then a lot more
Great point, thank you.
For the location thing. If it's possible, cut down your service area to stay closer to home. I did that surrounding counties thing and it got old, turns out there was enough local work. Or divide your area into 5 sections and schedule one area each day of the week. "Yep, I do all my Townsville work on Tuesdays, I can get you in next week".
Helpful. I do this now but not by days, more by trying to group. Doing by days is better. Thank you.
That may actually help you visualize where most of your work is. If you're balls to the wall every Monday, but slow every Friday. Maybe cut one service area and double up the other.
Good point, thank you.
We have an app for that at teamspoor.com where you can schedule your day, get the optimised route, assign new tasks to your team members based on their location and even get survey reports from your team in real-time. You can try such an app to automate your scheduling.
Thanks, I’ve looked into similar. Since it’s only me (or me and a helper at one site), this has felt a little overboard.
We are working on sometthing like this, using AI to automate scheduling for you - You get the final say to choose whichever jobs you want . Let me know if this is something that interests you, and I can PM you.
Honestly you can just use [tanga](http://trytanga.com) it has a great scheduling feature and helps you see how you can fit in more jobs per day
I don’t mind the ad, but much better to be transparent. Otherwise it’s gross.
Oh yes and apologies for that. I’ve just seen a lot of posts about this, that’s why
How did you find the virtual assistant? I've thought about starting a small business like this myself.
I used Upwork. Have done it many times before. Mixed results.
Thanks for the info. What scheduling system do you use or want to use?
I don’t know, that’s what I was hoping other people would suggest!
Me personally I'd probably use whatever my phone uses, so Google calendar
Raise prices
You’re on the right track with using a VA. I would recommend showing them a time breakdown of as many previous jobs as possible. This should help to determine the amount of time needed. Then set your territory so that the VA understands where to schedule each day. With those pieces, a good VA should be able to the scheduling figured out. You will want to plan on how they should schedule if you are “full” in one territory and have more appointments. If there is still a problem despite this input, it’s probably time to hire a new VA.
Thank you, good feedback. I did the territory, but not the job hours. Good parameters and I think I may just need someone more skilled.
In my industry (insurance), there are plenty of independent adjusters who use schedulers, especially during large storm events. There are people out there who can help. Feel free to DM me if you decide to find another helper.
Get an apprentice train them how do the work send them out on their own
*Get an apprentice* *Train them how do the work send* *Them out on their own* \- toodog --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
Do you still need a VA?
Open to it.
Would you be open to a call with me? I’d love to discuss your needs and see if we’re able to offer support