Comments on: Lessons Learned Taking Parental Leave as a Solo Entrepreneur

By: Why Startup Founders Should Stop Reading Business Books | Software by Rob

Why Startup Founders Should Stop Reading Business Books | Software by Rob — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:47:40 +0000

[...] was on paternity leave a few weeks ago and I had time to catch up on reading a long list of books that have sat stacked on my desk for [...]

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 07:48:36 +0000

If you have already purchased the PDF version you should receive an email within 24 hours with a link to download an ePub version for free. If not, you can purchase both versions for the price of one at http://www.StartupBook.net.

The Kindle version will be online within 48 hours.

By: Robz

Robz — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:07:55 +0000

Dude. You are so where I want to be. I just stumbled upon this and you have definitely moved forward with everything I’ve read in 4HWW. Awesome!

Subscribed.

By: Noah

Noah — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 01:27:43 +0000

Congratulations not only on the new addition to your family, but on creating such a stable income stream!

By: John Wright

John Wright — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:05:41 +0000

Congratulations and thanks for the insights!

By: Colin

Colin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 19:19:06 +0000

Congratulations. Ironically, we had our first back on the fifth of july so I feel your pain on getting work sorted out. I too was spending some time as others slept answering emails and can register to some of your conclusions. Chief among them is the idea that things you think are important really aren’t. As a business owner, you want every customer to feel important so the tendency is to dive through hoops for every request. Bit in most cases, the customer has much more patience then you might think and the good will gained in a five minute delayed response to their needs isn’t any different then the good will created in a thirty minutes delayed response.

I too found the need to differentiate urgent tasks from important tasks, which is something many people never realize.

Contracts again . Best to your family.

Colin

By: Rob

Rob — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 22:24:43 +0000

I’ve engaged a firm who specializes in ebook conversions.

I expect to have a Kindle and ePub version available to the public within 2 weeks. It would be sooner, but I’m on parental leave right now

By: James

James — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 22:16:08 +0000

I have a sony reader and would love to see an epub version as well.

By: Denis

Denis — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 03:01:56 +0000

Patrick’s endorsement sold me on the book.

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:05:14 +0000

Scott – I’m actually emailing with a company today who does these kinds of conversions. Hope to have a Kindle version out in the next few weeks. It’s turned out to be more difficult than I expected.

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:35:32 +0000

Hi, congrats on the new arrival.

If it’s possible I’d love to grab a kindle copy of your book. The pdf one doesn’t view well on mobile.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:30:26 +0000

Looking forward to reading the book. Also, VAs in detail could make a good topic for the podcast.

(my 2¢)

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:46:37 +0000

I have a lot to say on this topic, and I devote an entire chapter to this topic in my book: http://www.startupbook.net.

But the short version: I assign nearly all tier 1 email support to VAs, as well as research tasks, and “data maintenance” tasks for websites that need to be updated on an ongoing basis with new information (not content, but things like job listings). I also use them for audio and video editing, and transcription.

For a startup, I’ve found the optimal time to use a VA is as the idea is forming (for research), and after you’ve launched (for email support and maintenance). I’ve used VAs a small amount for marketing, but I tend to handle the major tasks myself as I want my marketing to be top notch.

I’ve found VAs on elance, oDesk, Google and Manila Craigslist. I’ve had varying luck with all options over the past two years, and my favorite has changed. These days it’s oDesk.

If you’re interested in more specifics, check out chapter 6 of http://www.startupbook.net.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:03:00 +0000

Congrats on the little-un!

Can I ask what sort of tasks go to the VA and how you found a good one?

I see on the t’interwebs a constant stream of encouragement for VA’s and outsourcing but very little concrete, actionable advice. (Yeh Tim F – I am looking at you and your self indulgent hot air blowing!)

I have to say that outside a few specialised domains such as graphics I’ve always been disappointed with the results.