If you are an internet marketer who finds it difficult to stay focused and stay on task? If so, you have a time management problem. The first step in curing a time management problem is to know what the problems are.
So, how do you know what your time management problems are? An easy approach is to examine common time management mistakes and see if they apply to you.
Mistake #1 – Not Realizing Time is Money
Whether you sell your internet marketing services or use internet marketing to drive traffic to a website or blog where you sell a product, service or generate income through affiliate links, time is money. Your ability to market a product, service, website or blog, is what generates income. When you are successful, you make a sale or receive an affiliate fee or something similar.
The ability to make money based on your productivity is a unique opportunity. In the corporate world, it doesn’t matter how efficient and productive an employee is, they usually receive the same pay cheque week after week. Since you have a unique opportunity, realize the potential. Remembering that time is money can serve as a source of motivation.
Mistake #2 – Using the Internet for Personal Communication
Yes, the internet makes it easy to stay in contact with friends and family. You are encouraged to do so, but in your own time. If you are working from 9 am to 3 pm, work only. Do not check your email, unless for business purposes only, avoid instant messaging programs, and so on.
When you take the opportunity to socialize away from the internet, you will find it easier to manage your time and tasks.
Lost in Thought
Mistake #3 – Not Knowing Where You Are Wasting Time
Unfortunately, many home based workers waste time without realizing they are doing so. Many think that a quick check of their email won’t waste time, but it can. If you check your email multiple times a day you could waste as much as 15 minutes or more each time. Also time spent responding, clicking on links and so on adds to the wasted time.
Yes, it is important to start managing your time and right away, but first complete a trial run. Keep a pen and paper handy and go about your day. Each time you find yourself stepping away from work, record the time and what you are doing. When you realise what your distractions are, you can start to eliminate them.
Mistake #4 – Allowing Distractions
Once you have determined what distracts you from completing your daily internet marketing tasks, it is important to eliminate them. Do you use instant messaging programs to communicate with others for personal reasons, not business? If so, disconnect the program. When you do, it is no longer an issue.
In addition to eliminating distractions online, look at your surroundings. If you work from home, it is easy to find many distractions. Background noise is ideal for some, but do you find yourself watching television instead of working? If so, shut it off. Do not answer your phone. Instead, use caller ID and an answering machine so you can be alerted in an emergency.
Mistake #4 – Justifying Your Actions
Many people when they realise what their common distractions are, will take steps to eliminate the problem. However, others tend to justify it. Avoid this, it will not improve your time management skills in any way.
An effective way to market a website, blog, product or service is to use internet forums. For example, do you sell a weight loss eBook? If so, create a message board signature with a link and a catchy sales phrase. Each time you post a message, your link will appear. Now, this approach involves chatting on internet forums but take care that this does not absorb too much of your time. Set aside a specific block of time, such as 30 minutes or 1 hour. Do not spend all day socializing and justifying your actions by claiming it is a marketing tactic.