When you run a business - no matter how big or small - you end up tied to your work a lot. So, when you fall ill, it’s bound to affect your money making abilities. Yes, even if you’re running an online enterprise.
Good news is that there are some ways to help you “sick-proof” your online business. Here are some tips and ideas to stop your online business ventures from falling apart when you fall ill:
1. Communicate your situation. This is especially important if you’re running a shop and people can still buy items from your online stores, etc. Even when you’re running content or community sites, it’s important to let people know if you’re unable to work your usual hours. It is best to assure customers, readers, or watchers that you just didn’t disappear on them. Send email newsletters, write a quick update on your blog, or post a message on your site/shop.
2. Hire temporary help. Whether you’re running a website, blog, eBay auctions, or online shops, you can hire help during the time that you’ll be away. This is especially useful if you think you’ll be away for an extended period of time - or you’re unsure when you’ll be up to speed with your work. Sometimes, even when you’re only gone 2-3 days from your online business, you might find it overwhelming to catch up on the work that you’ve missed. So, having someone to help you get back to business might be a good idea. If you’re unable to hire someone but can tap on ‘volunteers’ (unpaid help), then good on ‘ya.
3. Manage Expectations. Other than communicating that you’re not well (see #1), it’s also good to manage your customers’ expectations. Tell people when you think you’ll be able to deliver the goods. If there’s a delay, let them know as well. And, if there’s exceptional delay (if you’re ill for over a week or so), it’s a good idea to have regular communication. And perhaps, if you’re in to selling products + services, and there are delivery delays and such, you might consider an extra gift or so as part of goodwill. People will not expect it, but they’ll appreciate it.
4. Have a ‘Vacation Autoresponder’ Message Ready. Make sure you learn how to set up your email autoresponders. And, create different canned messages for various occasions. For your the times that you’re not well, having a message like: “Sorry I’m able to respond to your email right now. I am currently on sick leave. I will get back to you as soon as I’m able to. If this is about an urgent matter, please contact -” (give info of your ‘back up person’ or your temporary help).
5. Train one or more of your family members/friends to do part of the work for you. If you’re a one man/woman show when it comes to your online work, make sure someone in your immediate family (or one of your good friends) may be trusted to step in if you can’t even get up to even send an email during your ’sick period’. This way, you have someone to help check your messages, send communication on your behalf, etc., if absolutely necessary. Yes, teach them at least to turn on your ‘Vacation Autoresponder’.
6. Create Passive Income Streams. As an online entrepreneur, it’s always desirable to come up with as many passive income streams as possible. You know - the type of money that will keep on rolling in, even when you’re not doing much. They’re paychecks that keep on getting sent, even when you’re sick. If you don’t have any passive income streams online, you really should think about creating them. After all, when you’re in business online, you don’t want your income to stop as soon as you’re unable to work.
So, what about you? How do you prepare your online business in the event that you fall ill? Are there other strategies you use to make sure you protect your income?
Image: lusi, sxc.hu
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These are great tips, I remember I used to worry what would happen if I got sick.
Sometimes, there’s nothing we can do. But, there are definitely some ways to help us along the way.
Hey!
Your blog is wonderful! Thanks for this suggestive post.
Sick Proof! Very cool! I liked it a lot. Great post.
Hey!
Lovely blog. I would surely work on these topics to make my dream on online business.