Yesterday, we talked about few ways you can start managing your marketing time right away. In this post, we’re going to go over three more easy steps for managing your time more effectively.
As an Internet Marketer chances are you wear many hats and when you’re working for yourself, time management is key. Your income levels depend on your ability to not only market a website, product, or service, but do so in the most effective way.
One of the mistakes many new internet marketers make when it comes to managing their time is jumping right into work. Yes, there are benefits to doing this, like getting a head start, but think long-term. Without first developing a plan, you may later find yourself fluster, unorganized, and behind schedule.
So, how do you avoid this? By taking three easy steps. These three steps are highlighted below for your convenience. Once followed and properly implemented, they can improve your internet marketing skills and produce effective, profitable results.
Think
Thinking, otherwise known as brainstorming, is vital to the success of a new internet marketer. Why? Because you’re still learning the trade. You may know that search engine optimization is a great organic way to market a website, but do you know about article directories and the use of back links? If not, you’re missing out on moneymaking opportunities.
For that reason, take the time to think and do a little bit of research. As we discussed in your last issue, brainstorm ways to market. Once you have a set of tasks in mind, start to plan your day.
Plan
Many stop planning once they brainstorm. This is a costly mistake. Having a set of tasks in mind for the day is ideal, but it will not help if you have poor time management skills. To get started, create a to-do list or a detailed schedule. This can be done by hand or with the use of a computer program, such as Microsoft Word or a spreadsheet.
Take the tasks you developed in your brainstorming session and put them in order. You may want to start with easy to implement steps, such as posting on related messages boards with a link attached in your signature. You can then move onto more complicated forms of internet marketing, such as writing content that’s optimized with keywords for the search engines.
If knowing the tasks, you need to complete isn’t enough, create a detailed schedule. Give yourself specific blocks of time to complete each task. For example, do you belong to a work-at-home forum where you can advertise your products in your signature? Create a specific block of time to complete this task, such as 30 minutes from 10:30 am until 11 am.
Execute
The final step of this 3-step plan is to execute. You might assume this to be the easiest step, but it isn’t. When executing an internet marketing plan or to-do list, many home-based workers find themselves distracted. Whether it be reading the news online, continuously checking email, or instant messaging friends and family, distractions are common and easy to fall victim to.
When executing an internet marketing plan, it’s important to stay focused and on task. That is why a detailed schedule is recommended. On your schedule, set aside specific blocks of time for a specific task. If you must, set an alarm clock to warn you when your time is about to expire.
The easiest way to execute an internet marketing plan without falling victim to distractions is to avoid them. For example, turn the television off in the background, shutoff your instant messaging program, and so forth. When your distractions are eliminated, you will find it easier to execute your daily tasks.
Make sure you come back tomorrow when we will be talking about how managing your time can help you save it.
In the meantime, leave a comment on what your #1 tip is for improving your IM skills!
Ah yes… Execute the plan! Probably the most difficult thing to do. Even with all the brainstorming and planning – fear and doubt steps in and takes hold. “What if this is wrong?” “Will someone see a flaw in my plan?” “What if I’m reaching too high?” “What if I’m not reaching high enough?” The questions go on and on. Once we realize that nothing is foolproof, and failing is part of being successful – only then can we execute our plan with confidence.
Very few things in life are “perfect” so do your best and move on. You can’t please everyone, so trying to do so will just make you crazy 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Eydie!
Executing is where I fall short. So many distractions. I think I need to start utilizing some distraction elimination. Thank you for the suggestion.
Sure thing, Tammy!
You have some good points. I’ll definitely be coming back to read it again later.
Thanks, Jen! Let me know if you have any questions.
In project management, we study the Deming’s cycle of Plan-Do-Check-Act. This article reminded me of that. Execution is the key. Also, we need to check whether our work matches the plan that we had. Would love to know more about internet marketing. 🙂
I was talking about Deming the other day! Keep those processes improving each time and you will really get to be productive, effective, and efficient! Thanks, Snehal!
I am planning new strategies in my online field. It helps me a lot.
What are some of the strategies you are using?
Sir, SEO and Affiliate strategies.