Copyright (c) 2006 Leni Chauvin
http://www.AttractClientsGalore.com
Let's face it; it's not easy being a small business
owner
or a solo professional. In addition to creating effective
marketing plans and marketing strategies that will get
paying customers through the door, we need to be on top of
all the other important aspects of running a business.
With only 24 hours in a day, one brain, and two
hands with
which to take care of everything, we've got to find ways to
work smarter–not harder–if we want to build successful
businesses without sacrificing our sanity in the process.
There are a number of ways to leverage your time
so you can
maximize your profits. Below are my top 10:
1. Get in motion by eliminating the procrastinator's
best
friend: "Messy Desk/Office Syndrome." If that is something
you're plagued with, you'll find slaying the beast a lot
easier if you take what I call the "The 3 D System"
approach to organization which directs that you look at
what is on your desk or what is cluttering your office and
either Dump it, Deal with it or Delegate it.
2. Outsource everything that is not the best
use of your
time. Look at where you make your money, and if it's not at
bookkeeping, Web site maintenance, or writing marketing
materials, for example, farm those tasks out to someone who
can do them far more quickly and efficiently than you can.
3. Take things from your "to-do" list
and block off actual
times for working on specific items. For example, 10-10:30
AM might be for returning phone calls; 1-2:00 PM for
working on an article; 2-3:00 PM could be for updating your
marketing plan or for researching business networking
events. You'll be amazed at how much more you get done when
you assign specific times for doing things.
4. Resist the temptation to answer the phone
every time it
rings as a new conversation will not only distract you from
what you are doing, but it may lead you to abandon the task
all together as you become drawn into resolving other
matters. If you work alone, pretend you have a secretary
and that you've told him or her to "hold all calls."
Then
return the calls when you have both a clear mind and the
time to tackle them.
5. Take charge of your e-mails; don't let them
take charge
of you. Resist temptation and commit to checking your
in-box only twice a day: first thing in the morning and
around 3:00 PM.
6. Set specific, realistic goals with timelines
and commit
to taking at least two action steps every day
7. Avoid becoming overwhelmed by chunking every
task down
into manageable bite-sized pieces. Not only will you get
more done, you will feel terrific as you realize how much
you have accomplished.
8. Tackle the things you hate doing first. Like
a trip to
the dentist, you'll feel an awful lot better when that
phone call you've been dreading and avoiding is finished.
9. Build accountability into everything that
is difficult
or important to you. It doesn't matter if it is crafting
your marketing message, writing press releases, or putting
together your media kit, you will find you will get a lot
more accomplished if you are accountable to someone for
having completed your actions. If you are not currently
working with a business coach, find a neutral party to help
you stay on track.
10. Stop spinning your wheels and start making
more money
by having a clearly defined niche to which all your
marketing efforts are directed. Make sure your target
market is one that a) has a need for your services, b) is
underserved, and c) can afford your fees. Be as specific
as possible when determining your niche and create
marketing materials that address its needs and that
position you as the solution your target market has been
looking for.
Bottom Line: Efficiency is the key to productivity
and
productivity is the key to increased revenues.
