You're the boss, so be the boss of your time too
If you have started your own business recently, I encourage you to pay attention to the time you’re spending on business activities.
After reading a helpful article from a solopreneur who gave this advice, I started keeping a log of how I was spending my time on marketing and learning activities related to my website design business and also how much time I was spending on personal social media and a personal website and blog I maintained. It was very revealing to discover that I was spending 10 to 15 hours on social media activities related to my business and another 10 to 15 hours on personal online activities. Now I am much more deliberate about how I spend my time online.
I've narrowed down my business-related social media focus to Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. I blog and write a DIY tip once a month to my mailing list subscribers. I now spend about 10 hours a week on business-related online activities and no more than 10 hours on personal social media activities. That leaves me with more time for client work, learning new skills, and exploring other ways to help clients find me.
My advice to you: Pay attention to how much time you’re spending on “low-value” tasks in your business. If you’re spending too much time on tasks that don’t help your business, it’s time to reprioritize the way you spend your time.
[Updated March 2022]
After reading an article about self-employment time management, I started keeping a log of how I was spending my time on marketing and educational activities related to my website design business. Now I am much more deliberate about how I spend my time online and I've narrowed down my business-related social media focus to a few platforms.
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Saying "no" has never been easy for me. As someone who likes people around me to be happy, saying "no," risking disappointment or inconvenience for others, is something I avoided in my younger years. I'm finally starting to get the hang of it though. Here’s to you finding your “no” too!
I read an article about a writer who resorted to renting a cabin in the woods for two days without internet service or a cell phone to reach his goal of writing 40,000 words for his upcoming book. I won't be renting a cabin in the woods anytime soon, but I think I'll take some inspiration from this article to think about unplugging at regular intervals to give myself some quiet time to allow creativity and new ideas room to grow.
I use social media for my website design business to establish my expertise and promote my business, to get ideas from others in my field or related fields, and to inspire or share information with my potential or current small-business clients. I do my best to post on a few social media channels several times a week. I create original posts and I also share helpful posts from others in my industry. I researched where my potential customers are spending time online and now focus on posting in those locations.
As a confirmed introvert, I've tended to favor online networking strategies rather than in-person networking events. That's why it was a stretch to go to a local Women's Business Networking event last night. Reflecting this morning on the evening, I'm really glad I donned my courage cape and took the chance at trying something new. I'm glad to be back in my den this morning, but if I hadn't popped my head out to check the weather "out there," I would have missed out on learning and networking opportunities that I couldn't have had any other way.
Kerry A. Thompson
You don’t need a big agency to get your website done. You just need the one right person. I offer Squarespace website design and content development services for creatives, coaches, and healers. Learn more in a free 30-minute consultation.