Anyone Start an SEO Business While Working 9-5?

[MeetTheVirus]

So, I have been in the process of starting to build up my own SEO/SEM business. Getting everything in order while crossing my t's and dotting my i's so to speak.

So while I am in the process of getting a couple business phones and setting up 1-800 number, I had a thought dawn on me...

Problem is I work 9-5 during the weekdays and I'm off during the weekends. How am I suppose to manage calls / support / sell / consult / etc. when almost all small business's close around this time and EST time is even 3 hours ahead of me! I doubt many clients would be happy when I tell them I can only talk on the phone on weekends or after 6pm PST..

Any advice? tips? tricks?

I have to keep the 9-5 until I make sufficient enough income to support myself until my business takes off obviously.

Thanks in advance!

 

[bizzle]

So, I have been in the process of starting to build up my own SEO/SEM business. Getting everything in order while crossing my t's and dotting my i's so to speak.

So while I am in the process of getting a couple business phones and setting up 1-800 number, I had a thought dawn on me...

Problem is I work 9-5 during the weekdays and I'm off during the weekends. How am I suppose to manage calls / support / sell / consult / etc. when almost all small business's close around this time and EST time is even 3 hours ahead of me! I doubt many clients would be happy when I tell them I can only talk on the phone on weekends or after 6pm PST..

Any advice? tips? tricks?

I have to keep the 9-5 until I make sufficient enough income to support myself until my business takes off obviously.

Thanks in advance!

Take voicemail, or use one of those services where they have a live person answer for you.

 

[beakon]

Depending on your job direct calls to your cell phone if you can take them.

 

[Zelthcon]

I think that having your business email on the website, also if possible an auto-mated services. I think a ticket system would suit you best as long as you answer each ticket before a 24 hour period .

 

[MeetTheVirus]

Thanks everyone for the fast replies and great ideas. I love this forum

I do have a quick contact form and email on my website. I know how much building customers trust is and I guess I feel like a potential client might go to the next company because I wasn't there to answer questions. Maybe I'm just thinking into things to much.

I can't answer calls at my work sadly but I might be able to sneak some live chats in.. maybe... lol

I have definitely been checking out some call service centers and live chat support. Anyone have experience with these companies? any recommendation on a specific one and cost?

I think the ticket thing could work.

 

[roamer]

I use a virtual office for this (I don't offer SEO services per se, but close enough). Comes with a phone nr. + ext combo, and they answer my ext. using my company name, plus take appointments, give info, contact me to check my schedule, receive snail mail and packages... Hopefully I'll get my own office soon, as I'm helping jump start a small advertising agency, but in the meantime this solution works just fine for me.

Edit: google "virtual office your location" to get a list of companies offering this service in your area.

 

[MeetTheVirus]

This is exactly what I was looking for, I never thought about a virtual office.. Would be great for receiving packages and mail until I am able to get an office as well. Thanks!

 

[ahappynugget]

Dude I tried to juggle it but in the end I did have to quit my day job and pursue it full time. On the plus side with 2-3 clients you can at least survive while you build it up.

 

[roamer]

This is exactly what I was looking for, I never thought about a virtual office.. Would be great for receiving packages and mail until I am able to get an office as well. Thanks!

Glad it helped. Just a little extra advice: check all the options, some companies offer you better bang for your buck + access to conference rooms, real offices and what not.

 

[MeetTheVirus]

Dude I tried to juggle it but in the end I did have to quit my day job and pursue it full time. On the plus side with 2-3 clients you can at least survive while you build it up.

Ya it's really a pain, but I think it will be worth it in the end

If I can get to the point of having a small savings and making at least 80% of what I make now I will definitely quit my day job and go full time. The good news is I do SEO in house for another web design company so im no newbie to the game

 

[ahappynugget]

Hopefully they don't have you under a non-compete. And if so, so what lol

 

[KraftyKyle]

Ask a friend to go in with you. Or ask your son/daughter, brother/sister, mom/dad to take calls. Just have them say they're your secretary and that you're out of the office right now. Then you can call back at your convenience.

 

[seoquickheal]

Hire a virtual freelancer, to carry out your reports, reply your emails .

that's the best possible way as for as i am concern.

cheers

 

[JulianFalgons]

All of those ideas seem like a temporary fix. I suggest a different approach to creating a better lifestyle for yourself. Download "The Four Hour Work Week" by Tim Ferris, it might not have an exact answer to your dilemma, but it can surely help inspire creative solutions.

 

[innosoft]

Guys What i think is, instead of hiring out people, spend atleast a hour for your seo work! replying to clients, researching etc etc. Its safest way, once you get your clients, then have a plan for them, break out the link building works, and each night when you go to sleep spend 5-15 mins in setting up those works in scheduler. when you wake up, mostly it will be finished. then submit those links to indexing service if u have any. Then again schedule for your day.

So atlast,

1 Hour for clients and reply..
1 hour (Morn and Night) for Link Building

And i dont think that there is any loss here! upto my exp, you should not spend on VA or VO untill you get a big hold and enough client..

Hope this helped. Its wat i do...

 

[SuperNoobInc]

All of those ideas seem like a temporary fix. I suggest a different approach to creating a better lifestyle for yourself. Download "The Four Hour Work Week" by Tim Ferris, it might not have an exact answer to your dilemma, but it can surely help inspire creative solutions.

The Four Hour Work Week is definitely a must-read book for IMers (pretty much all about outsourcing and spend your time on something else etc.).

However, I dont think it can apply effectively in this situation. Its hard to find someone reliable to answer all your SEO questions etc. - For example, my brother and sister probably dont have enough knowledge. "Friends" probably wont neither (otherwise, they will be looking into a partnership with you instead).