Finding the perfect balance between client hours and business management is crucial for success. So, how many client hours should you take on in a week?
Let's delve into this important question and explore effective time organization.
In my previous role as an online business manager (OBM), I used to determine how many hours I wanted to work per week and then sought clients to fill that exact time frame. However, this approach often leads to a horror movie-like scenario, where the audience screams “nooooooo” as they anticipate the impending disaster.
Relying solely on client work won’t propel your business forward.
Many small business owners fall into the trap of equating hours worked with success—a remnant of our corporate mindset. We believe that non-billable hours are wasted and neglect other vital aspects of our businesses, such as marketing, sales, administration, and overall strategic management.
Imagine desiring to work 30 hours a week and subsequently finding 30 hours of client work.
Inevitably, you’ll end up working far beyond that mark. Administrative tasks, like invoicing and social media content creation, demand attention.
Suddenly, those initial 30 hours balloon into 50, resulting in burnout and the perplexing question, “How did I end up here?”
To combat this, I’ve developed a ratio that strikes a balance, allowing ample time for business growth, capacity assessment, and comprehensive coverage without requiring excessive hours.
Here’s the breakdown:
- 60% of your working hours should be devoted to revenue-generating activities, encompassing client work and sales calls that secure new clients and billable hours.
- 10% of your week is dedicated to creation, involving marketing content creation, writing, filming, or developing new intellectual property.
- 15% of your week is allocated to administrative tasks, including email management, calendar organization, bookkeeping, and general organization.
- The remaining 15% is reserved for growth, encompassing personal development, strategic planning, and data analysis for future decision-making.
Let’s illustrate this ratio with an example:
If your goal is to work 20 hours per week:
- 12 hours on revenue-generating activities
- 2 hours on creation
- 3 hours on admin
- 3 hours on growth
If you aim for 40 hours per week:
- 24 hours on revenue-generating activities
- 4 hours on creation
- 6 hours on admin
- 6 hours on growth
Remember, you’re not just a service provider; you’re running a business.
Although it may seem counterintuitive to allocate non-billable hours in your weekly plan, embracing this reality is essential for long-term success.
Adjust your client hours and fees accordingly to ensure you achieve the necessary numbers to reach your goals.
By striking a balance between revenue generation, creation, administration, and growth, you’ll ensure that the business will grow without you burning out.
