Juggling emergency calls and chasing payments is driving me nuts. I’m torn between dropping everything for urgent jobs and following up on overdue invoices. How do you all balance these competing priorities without losing your mind? Feels like I’m always putting out fires instead of running a smooth operation.
Look, it’s simple. Emergencies come first, period. But you gotta have a system or you’ll go crazy.
Set up auto-reminders for invoices. Don’t waste time chasing money manually.
For emergency calls, charge a premium rate. Makes it worth dropping everything.
Block out an hour each day for paperwork. Stick to it.
Get some basic software to track jobs and payments. Nothing fancy, just enough to keep you organized.
Remember, you’re running a business, not a charity. If they don’t pay, they don’t get service next time. Harsh but necessary.
I just wing it mostly. Write stuff down on paper. Emergencies first then worry about money later I guess.
I use a simple system to keep things under control.
Priority goes to emergencies, but I charge more for those calls. It covers the hassle of dropping everything.
For invoices, I set up automatic reminders. Once a week, I spend an hour following up on late payments.
I’ve got a basic app that tracks jobs and payments. Nothing fancy, just enough to stay organized.
If a client consistently doesn’t pay, they go to the bottom of my list for future work. It’s just business.
I just keep a notebook. Write down jobs and who owes me what. Emergency calls? I take 'em if I can. Money stuff gets done when I have time. Not perfect, but it works for me.
I’ve been in your shoes, and it’s not easy. Here’s what I do:
I use a basic spreadsheet to track invoices. Green for paid, yellow for pending, red for overdue. Takes 5 minutes to update daily.
For emergencies, I have a separate work phone. It’s got a special ringtone, and I charge extra for those calls. Helps cover the disruption.
I set aside Mondays for paperwork. No jobs scheduled, just catch up on invoices and follow-ups. It’s tempting to book work, but having that day keeps me sane.
For unpaid invoices, I send a friendly text reminder after a week. Most folks just forgot and pay right away.
If they’re still not paying after a month, I call them. Usually, there’s a reason, and we can work something out.
Remember, you’re providing a service. It’s okay to say no sometimes, especially to clients who always have ‘emergencies’ but never pay on time.
Been there, done that. It’s a constant juggling act. Here’s what’s worked for me:
- Set clear payment terms upfront
- Use automated reminders for invoices
- Prioritize emergencies, but don’t drop everything
- Block out time each week for admin work
The key is creating systems. I use scheduling software to manage calls and accounting software for invoices. It’s not perfect, but it helps.
For real emergencies, I have a separate phone number. Clients pay extra for that level of service.
Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of your business first, or you won’t be able to help anyone in the long run.