Have you ever heard the expression: "I feel like a chicken with his head cut off!"? Without going into the gory details of how they prepare a live chicken for Sunday dinner, the image is of someone running around aimlessly without any direction. This description reveals what I feel like at times when working on my home business.
Some days, my schedule is under control while other days, the agenda controls me. It is unavoidable. Orders need to be filled. Emails must be answered. Questions have to be addressed. How does one avoid running pointlessly around their home office when all these responsibilities are confronting you? The solution is organization and the tool is a schedule.
The best way to keep frustration from creeping into your work at home office is by developing a daily routine for all of the tasks. Have you heard this advice before? Being aware of this tool but not using it for developing a home based business can cause you to feel like that chicken. Sit down with three pieces of paper and a pen. On the first sheet write "Administration Duties", on the second piece scribble "Daily Tasks" and on the third page print "Monthly Responsibilities". The following tips can help when you are developing each section of this schedule.
Administration Duties
1) Check all of your office equipment to make sure it is operational. Computer, printer, fax machine, etc.
2) Is your internet connection OK?
3) Check all website statistics.
4) Examine and reply to Emails.
5) Take care of financial duties.
Daily Tasks
1) Fill the daily orders.
2) Connect with new customers and new leads - Email or call but keep in contact.
3) Contact old customers - make them aware that you are still concerned about their business.
4) Work on marketing techniques - this is the nuts and bolts of a home business.
5) Fine tune the advertising plan - what is working and what is not working. Check the statistics.
6) Research the internet for new marketing ideas - be aware of what is new and what is coming.
7) Promote the home business - become involved in forums and other interactive websites. Advertise your online venture while giving helpful advice.
8) Set aside time for yourself - breaks, lunch, etc. Have a designated start and stop time each day.
Monthly Responsibilities
1) Revise your websites - analyze the sales copy, update graphics and add new web pages. Consider putting a blog, chat room or forum on your site for visitor interaction.
2) Write a newsletter - a great tool for staying in contact with customers.
3) Compose articles - submit to ezines and article directories.
4) Offline marketing - research newspapers, magazines, free periodicals for submitting advertising.
5) Send out direct mail, flyers and postcards about your home business.
6) Develop a new product line.
This is not a list of tasks that YOU need to perform each day. It is only a model. Your home based business may require an entirely different set of responsibilities that need to be accomplished. The point is that a compass (schedule) will provide the direction needed for finding the destination. Take advantage of every tool that can bring success to your home business. A schedule is a step in the right direction.
"The world stands aside to let anyone pass who knows where he is going."
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