So you have an online business that is doing so-so, but not good enough that you can quit your day job. Furthermore, for some of us, quitting our job is not an option or it is not something that we want to do right now. This could be for various reasons like health insurance, money, timing, etc. So in the meantime, you have to learn what it takes to manage both - without breaking company rules. It takes a lot more than just being organized - you also need a good plan and the right tools! These are just a few things I recommend you do or invest in to successfully manage having to go to a 9 to 5 job every day and running a business online without going insane.

• Step 1 - Invest in a Smartphone - This has to be the best thing that I ever did since running a business online. I personally own a T-Mobile G1 phone and it keeps me more connected, organized and on top of a lot of things that I can’t do on my work PC. When I am on a break or at lunch in the café’ I can use my phone to check email, update Twitter and Facebook status, check my PayPal account and surf the web. This is a must have gadget for any webpreneur.
• Step 2 - Open a Gmail account - I strongly suggest Gmail because it can manage several of your emails from one place. Also with the T-Mobile G1 phone, which is created by Google, Gmail comes with it and works without a hitch!
• Step 3 - Use Google Calendar - This calendar also synch’s with the G1 phone’s calendar. This help me be more organized and I am reminded on events via email and pop ups on my phone. I have eliminated the need for my cumbersome leather planner.
• Step 4 - Use your vacation time wisely at work - Let’s say your online business has enabled you to become an expert in your field and gain you some “celebrity” status in your town. Eventually, you may be asked to speak from time to time at different events. Save your vacation days for opportunities that are too good to pass up like keynotes at conferences, speaking to potential clients, opportunities to sell that book you’ve written, etc.
• Step 5 - Use your lunch breaks wisely - If you’re lucky enough to get an hour break for lunch either at your desk, out of the office or in a company cafeteria, or even in your car, break out your Smartphone and use that time to check on anything you need to while eating your lunch. You can also sit there and call your online business clients, check your business voicemail, etc.
• Step 6 - Invest in a Virtual Assistant - Once your online business starts to pick up you may need some help a few hours a month. Consider hiring a VA to help you with your online tasks. They can update blogs, websites, manage shopping carts, clean out your email, act as online sales reps, etc. They can do all of the work for you while you are at work on your 9 to 5! Search online for Virtual Assistants in your area, it may be more convenient to have someone in your town that you can meet with from time to time.
• Step 7 - Use a mail center instead of a Post Office - I love the fact that the mail center I use to receive checks (for those that don’t want to pay online), receive packages or any other thing that may need sent to me via snail mail, is still open after I get off of work. I also have the key to get in after hours and can call them before I get off of work to let them know to sit any large packages that won’t fit in my box in a place where I can get to it. A mail center is perfect for someone that is using Ebay as their ways to make extra money online.
• Step 8 - Open up a PayPal - This way you can collect money online and even check it via your Smartphone on your breaks or lunch hour.
• Step 9 - Set up an office area at home - When you come home from work, you may have to work on your business if there’s work to do, but at least it’s not a part-time job at the mall that you don’t like, there’s no long commute and you can put on your PJ’s and do your work. You can also opt to work only on the weekends. Make sure you have a space in your home set up so you can comfortably work from. Fix it up so that it makes you motivated to take care of business!
  While these are just a few of my favorites, there are many other ways that people handle working for someone else and what I call a “virtual side hustle.” Either way, I feel that making extra money online is better than a part-time job anytime!

Final Tips:
There are a lot of Smartphones out there, look into one that will work best for you.
Do not work on your business during times you should be working.
Do not abuse your breaks or lunch hour.
If your business starts to grow and gets too overwhelming - hire a VA.

2 Responses to “How to Manage Having a 9 to 5 While Running a Business Online”