Moving Your VA Practice

One in six Americans will move this year. Are you one of them? I am. Relocating is rarely fun and never hassle free. Add in your own business and the prospect of a move may be terrifying. It doesn't have to be.

Since becoming a military spouse in 1991, I have moved six times. With six states and two countries behind me, when it came time for my latest move, I considered myself a pro. Activating and canceling utilities, printing change of address cards, finding someplace to live and new schools for the kids, and carefully packing up the china had all become part of the routine, but this time was different. I had a business to move. It was time to put all that experience to the test. Here are 10 strategies I have found to help make moving a business a bit easier:

Don't sink your roots too deep. Because I move every couple of years, I have tried to keep most aspects of my business non-geographically specific. The Internet makes this very easy. My business cards and brochures contain my e-mail and web addresses and my permanent toll-free number, while my web site has my current address and phone numbers. That way, my business cards don't become trash the minute I move (including all the cards I have given to potential clients).

Do your research. Every hour you spend researching your new location will save you hours of heartache once you arrive. Is there DSL or cable modem services or at least local dial-up numbers available? Can you get the level of phone service you need? In many cases, you can have everything ready for your arrival.

Prepare your clients. Let your clients know that you are about to move. Tell them that you are confident the only change for them will be where to send payments. If the transition period won't be "business as usual", tell them what they can expect from you until the move is complete. If something unexpected arises, keep them informed.

Tell the Web where you are going. One of the great things about the Web is the incredible number of places to make your business known. Registering your business in a hundred places can pay great dividends. When moving time comes, though, much of that information will need to be updated. I make it a point to record every site I have given my information to. If you haven't done that, a good place to start is your e-mail. If you receive messages from those sites, they can remind you to visit their site to update your information.

Become mobile. There comes the time when you have to unplug your hardware and head to your new home. For a move across town, this may not be a huge event. Moving across the country (or even out of the country), however, makes this moment critical. With a laptop computer and a cellular phone, conducting business on the road can be a snap. For those of us who are less equipped, a good practice is storing important data online. This can keep you in business until your office is unpacked. I would also recommend hand carrying all paperwork and backed up files. This way, if the moving van ends up at the bottom of the Mississippi River, your business isn't sunk as well.

Pay your taxes. The government wouldn't be the government if it didn't add some pain to this already challenging process. A new state means more paperwork come tax time, so keep up with those records. A move out of the country can add a whole new level to your tax situation. Some professional advice in this situation may be warranted.

Get licensed. Find out what sort of licensing, if any, the local government requires. Laws governing business licenses can vary greatly. Generally, the local government's web site can give a general guideline so you know what is expected before you set up shop.

Network at your new location. When you're researching you new home, look for local business groups that fit your interests. Although most of my business is generated from my web site, I was amazed at the number of new clients that I signed on after joining a couple of local networking groups. Of course, a move to Germany may make this less plausible, but, even then, there are dozens of online networks of working men and women overseas.

Take advantage of geography. I started my business in a small town in north Texas. The small population meant I couldn't rely on local clients to keep me in business. With a move to a metropolitan area, the potential client base exploded. Even if your business is Internet based and you've never even met a client in person, a few dollars spent on local advertising may pay off. If your budget doesn't include funds for advertising, take a look at some locally based web sites and you might find opportunities to get your name out there for free. If you're moving to a less populated area, anticipate a decrease in local clients and plan your marketing accordingly.

Expect the unexpected and be flexible. Even if you think you are completely prepared, you may still find yourself pulling your hair out. I ordered my telephone service a full month before arriving in the Phoenix area. I had the phone numbers, an order for DSL and the assurance of the customer support representative that I would be able to walk into my house, plug in my computer and telephone and be in business. Of course, when I arrived, not even a dial tone awaited me. It was almost two months before I had telephone service in my office. If this happens to you, ask your local phone company about their compensation program. I was able to get a free cellular phone and service from mine. On the bright side, the delay gave me more time to research and I realized that a DSL modem was not ideal for me, so I cancelled my order and purchased a cable modem instead.

In today's business culture, where it is considered a sin to be more than two telephone rings away from voice contact, being out of touch can be deadly for a small business. The easy answer is to stay put. When that's not an option, take control of the process and keep your business booming. By planning ahead, you can take your business wherever life takes you. Instead of wondering if you still have clients when you plug back in, you can worry about the china.

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Andrea M. Pixley is a Virtual Assistant, specializing in desktop publishing, Internet research, and web site services. Visit her web site at www.andreapixley.com or contact her at assistant@andreapixley.com or 877-803-6945 for more information.