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How does your business run while you're on vacation?

by JimMichael
22 replies
Just curious.

I find online business to be a very hands-on process - especially when you work in media relations and are constantly in contact with the media, or writing for your clients etc.

The flow of communication with online business is also immense - I'm sure most of us get a ton of emails each day.

So, how do you cope while on vacation? Do you carry on as normal, cut back or simply switch off the phone/laptop and enjoy yourself?

Do you put any systems in place or hire someone to oversee your workflow?

Just thought we could get a good exchange of ideas and experiences going here....
#business #run #vacation
  • Profile picture of the author ballparkbob
    When you own a small business, you rarely have the luxury of a true vacation. If you have a partner, hopefully, he or she can pick up the slack while you are on vacation, but the fact is that you are going to probably have to do some work while on vacation. I set aside the morning to do my work and everything else needs to wait for the next day.
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  • Profile picture of the author Daniel Wilson
    I create everything I'll need so my content will still be fresh. Anyway aweber and wordpress offer you to post on a certain date and hour so there is no problem.

    I take 15min twice a day to check email and thats all.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gene Pimentel
    I'm on vacation right now, in Mexico. Fabulous resort! I check email just for emergency situations - the rest will be there when I get back. This is the first (likely last) time I checked in on Warrior Forum just for a few minutes.
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  • Profile picture of the author Seth Bias
    I usually bring my mini laptop and check some emails and have things set to autopilot from my vps. Normally setting aside 1 - 2 hours a night to working or checking emails sometimes less. But mostly try and have fun on vacation.
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  • Profile picture of the author fluffythewondercat
    I always take my laptop. I've been known to take two, just in case one breaks down.

    On any vacation there are down periods. Your spouse is sleeping or in the shower or off on a dive trip or putting gas in the car. When I have an Internet connection I download research material so I can write offline.

    As far as the physical products business goes, they don't need me to buy and shipping can wait until I get back.

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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Rankin
    Take an hour after breakfast to quickly put out any fires and to just get an idea of whats going on while your away. Wake up an hour earlier than everyone else so you don't upset anyone or catch up while waiting for the shower. The key is to have fun while your vacationing instaed of just working somewhere nicer. Checking in will help you put your worries away so you can better play.
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  • Profile picture of the author cherylwright
    I usually set up my autoresponder with messages to send while I'm away. I also schedule posts on WordPress.

    Actually, I do the latter most of the time anyway. Just perhaps more when I'm away.

    Online marketing can be close to hands-free if you do it right.





    Cheryl
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    • Profile picture of the author WalterW
      Originally Posted by cherylwright View Post

      I also schedule posts on WordPress.



      Cheryl
      what software/plugin are you using for this?
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  • Profile picture of the author Helping
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    Video presentations, autoresponders, and websites can do most of your work for you when you have them set up properly
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  • Profile picture of the author absolutelee
    I just duck into a corner to avoid my wife and daughter and pull out my trusty iPhone. That and outsourcers works fine.
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  • Profile picture of the author tracy821
    I have done worked on my business when I've been all over Europe. As long as I can get to the internet, I can work. I just have to over look my family complaining about it. I don't spend the entire vacation working, but as said before when you work for yourself you can't ever really get away.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jnelson
      I always keep 1-2 hrs aside in the night or morning for work and the rest is for my family. If you plan your work, you can easily enjoy your holidays while keeping tab of your business.
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      • Profile picture of the author jan roos
        I also find myself checking and answering emails on vacation. Go read the 4 hour workweek by Tim Ferris as it shows exactly how to extract yourself from your business while everything still runs smoothly.

        I read it for the second time on the plane and want to really start putting some of the techniques in practice.

        Cheers

        Jan
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        • Profile picture of the author celente
          Originally Posted by jan roos View Post

          I also find myself checking and answering emails on vacation. Go read the 4 hour workweek by Tim Ferris as it shows exactly how to extract yourself from your business while everything still runs smoothly.

          I read it for the second time on the plane and want to really start putting some of the techniques in practice.

          Cheers

          Jan
          I think as a business owner, and outsourcing alot of my business say 90% of it, you cant help but look at emails. But that book is killer, and lots of great tips and resources in there, for the serious entrepreneur.
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  • Profile picture of the author monetization
    When I am on vacation (which has been alot this year), I let my team know I will be away from my computer for longer of periods of time than usual - so they don't expect a response from me right away.

    I have a team of outsourcers as well as a project manager, so as long as they are taking care of business, and there are no fires to put out, then it's all good. Outsourcing can make your life a whole lot easier, as long as you have consistent systems in place that generate enough income to justify the expense. However, I wouldn't recommend waiting until you go on vacation to start looking for an assistant though.

    Even while on vacation though, I usually will have my iPad close at hand at all times, because when you run an online business, you want to be on top of things.
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  • Profile picture of the author HretchenGillet
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  • Profile picture of the author JCorp
    if you have outsourcers or VA's or employees it will continue to run. when I'm on vacation I always bring my laptop w/ me, but only get on to check emails and quick stats updates. other than that I also use it to find interesting tourist spots and restaurants in whatever place I'm vacationing in...keep work out of a vacation as much as possible, otherwise it wouldn't be a vacation.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan92
    I don't consider this industry to be so "hands on" that I cannot detach from it in the normal course of a vacation. There is truly so much of it that does not require my ongoing attention.
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  • Profile picture of the author ThunderC
    i got a kick ass laptop, that i take with me when going on vacation, and always stay at hotels with good internet connection, so i can always work for 2 hours/day to do the basic stuff for my non "hand off" projects
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  • Profile picture of the author RussCashU
    I am the same, to where a couple hours in the morning then I'm good for the rest of the day, Well Most of the day lol.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steven Miranda
    Really my core business only needs 1 to 2 hours at most on business days. I have just hired an assistant though to cut that to 0 besides the client emails which are easy. Weekends is pretty much just emails.
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