ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
20.07.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


Making Sure You Manage Your Time Instead of Your Time Managing You

Author: Jim Mack Author Ranking Bronze | Posted: 24-01-2006 | Comments: 0 | Views: 537 | Rating:  (53) Article Popularity - Blue (?) Got a Question? Ask.
Sign Up Now!

Time management is essential in the success of any business. It is especially important to the person that runs a business on the internet. There are so many distractions from the radio, to Oprah to Jerry to Dr. Phil to the kids to...well you get my drift.

Here are a few tips to keep you on track:

1. Name your project

You may name your project as a final name of the product or you may just give it a code name that means something to you.

2. Understand what part of the three step process you are in: Acquisition, presentation or promotion.

Here is a simple question to ask yourself to check if you are on track with your time budget, "What is this activity designed to do?" or perhaps, "What is the outcome of this activity?"

This will help you to identify if you are spending time in the wrong area at the wrong time.

3. Set up check lists to make sure everything is covered. Focus on completion.

4. Promotion: Clearly define your action steps.

5. Track the results or your promotional campaign in terms of traffic, click through rates, subscribers and purchasers. Include costs of conducting your campaign and compare that to your sales to determine your return on investment. It is only by tracking the results of the promotion that you will know how to effectively change the presentation for further testing.

A spreadsheet is an invaluable tool as a template for specifying your promotional campaign and also for tracking results, costs and return on investment. Adding in columns for each day of the week allows you to allocate your time so that all your promotions are covered in a time effective manner. This becomes your business gauge by which you assess the effectiveness of your promotional campaign.

Earning an income on the internet is a process that in broad terms involves three stages:

1. Getting your product (acquisition) 2. Developing your product presentation 3. Promoting the product

In this article, "product" means any tangible product, digital products (ebooks and software) and services such as membership sites, web design and development, hosting, "print on demand" for ebooks, fulfillment for orders and so on.

By necessity you will spend time in each of these stages. Each stage will involve a learning phase and an action phase. It's important to identify clearly what stage of development you are currently working on and to focus on completing that stage.

1. Getting your product (acquisition).

Choose between your own product and an affiliate product.

This will involve identifying a demand using for example surveys or the popularity of search terms.

Key Point: Once you have your product you can stop spending time looking at other product possibilities for the time being.

2. Developing your product presentation.

Once you have chosen your product you will need to develop a presentation.

This will include your website primarily and can also include autoresponder sequences and a newsletter.

Key Points: Once your website and presentation process is completed you can move on to the promotion. You can always improve the presentation but once your presentation is "presentable" you should move on to promotion. Don't get caught up trying to make things perfect. Good, yes; perfect, no. The reality is things can always be changes. It does not matter if you have the best product in your niche and the best presentation if nobody knows about it. Give your presentation your best shot and then start promoting.

3. Promoting the product.

No matter now good your product and presentation are, you must get your presentation in front of your intended audience or nothing happens.

"We have to become better at promoting what we do than doing what we do."

This is where it is also important to be clear about what stage you are in. Remember, time is limited, so if you have already chosen your product and developed your presentation it is not productive to keep looking for products or spending a great deal of time "tweaking" your presentation.

Time can always be spent tweaking sales copy, images, layout, web presentation, upgrading or trying new software, investigating new product opportunities (before the current one is complete), improving design skills, keeping up with the changing web "standards"... The list can seem endless.

Key Point: Time is better spent developing a clear promotional strategy and putting it into action. Only when you are seeing results from your promotional activities should you consider altering your presentation (such as modifying headlines and sales copy) to assess how that affects conversion of prospects to customers.

A spreadsheet is an invaluable tool as a template for specifying your promotional campaign and also for tracking results, costs and return on investment. Adding in columns for each day of the week allows you to allocate your time so that all your promotions are covered in a time effective manner. This becomes your business gauge by which you assess the effectiveness of your promotional campaign.

Understanding the three stages of the business process and the stage you are in, using checklists and tracking your results using business gauges are the proven ways to maximize your time, your effectiveness and your profits

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/making-sure-you-manage-your-time-instead-of-your-time-managing-you-12168.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:
Jim Mack is the leading authority in teaching actual methods - proven, practical strategies that work. In fact, Jim truly lives the principles he teaches and is the epitome of leading by example. See him at http://www.whoisjimmack.com and http://www.passivecashcow.com
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Related Articles

Network Marketing - Three Crucial Factors for Success
By: Eldon Beard | 08/11/2006 | Business Opportunities
There are three very important factors to consider when choosing a network marketing opportunity. Your success depends on these factors. Most people promoting network marketing will not tell you these things.

Is Internet Home Business Right For You
By: Praveen Kumar | 16/01/2007 | Home Business
Before you embark on an internet home business it is important to carry out a self analysis to understand if the opportunity is right for you.

Internet Kiosk Business
By: Praveen Kumar | 15/12/2006 | Home Business
With as little as $1250 and no experience whatsoever you can start your own Internet Kiosk Business. These Kiosks are likely to replace not only pay phones but also ATMS in the coming years.

Creating a 6-Figure Income From Home In 5 Simple Steps
By: Daegan Smith | 16/02/2006 | Home Business
Nowadays, it is not unusual to find that there are thousands of people (and most of them are young people who are even below 40) who earn as much as 6-figure incomes from home.

Do You Want To Work From Home? How Do You Decide?
By: Daegan Smith | 16/02/2006 | Home Business
With the advent of information technology and the Internet, work-from-home schemes had been a continuous trend for so many years now, and it seems to be getting better each day.

How To Select The Right Name For Your Home Business To Succeed
By: Praveen Kumar | 06/03/2007 | Home Business
Selecting the right name for your internet home business plays an important role in success of your venture. A must read article before selecting a name.

Do You Wish To Earn Even As You Train To Become An Expert In The Home Based Internet Business ?
By: Praveen Kumar | 19/01/2007 | Home Business
Knowledge is always the key to succeed in any business. The best way to get started on the internet is to join a program that teaches you all aspects of running an internet home based business and also provides an opportunity to earn money even as you are learning.

Measuring Return on Investment is Basic to Your Online Success
By: Praveen Kumar | 02/12/2006 | Online Promotion
It is amazing how many internet marketers fail because they do not measure their rate of return (ROI) on simple thing like advertising that can make the business go into reverse gear even before it has started. This article informs on how to measure ROI and become effective in your online business.

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

DVD burner question
By: Info Sponge | 12-07-2008
Whats the difference between a CD/DVD burner and a CD/DVD+/-RW Drive

My computer talks to me and I want it to shut up!
By: loistone | 11-07-2008
I have a MAC and was trying to figure out how to delete a message that never got sent. I asked the help menu how to delete a message and it gave me instructions. Somehow, I got the voiceover turned on and I do not know how to turn it off! It talks to me every time I touch the computer. I can see just fine and do not need this feature. If anyone has a MAC and can tell me how to turn it off I would be most grateful. Also, a black box outline is now on my screen and I can't turn that off either.

Is this a virus
By: rose | 08-07-2008
C:/Windows/winuscn32.exe keeps popping up at starup. after looking it up on the web....seems i have a virus. how can i delete it. i have vista home edition

Logic Board
By: Char Beckman | 08-07-2008
What is a logic board on an HP laptop? Is this the same as a motherboard?

I have a HP laptop computer and I have the ...
By: jan | 08-07-2008
I have a HP laptop computer and I have the internet through a cable company. I have my own router and modem. I want to be able to take my computer anywhere so what kind of wireless card do I get and where?

Installing leopard
By: grannymrr | 08-07-2008
how do i install leopard on both my ibook and mini mac

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Business Articles

Build a Home Based Internet Business
By: Carl Goodnight | 19/07/2008
This article describes the steps necessary to build a successful home based business or internet business. Some of the pleasures of working from home are: freedom to pick the hours you work, no commute. You can promote your product or service to the world and, if you hit it right, will be able to make more money than you ever dreamed possible.

The Basics of Creating a Filing System That You Can Benefit From Starting Today
By: Tracey Lawton | 19/07/2008
In my brand-new article, I'm going to share with you 7 easy steps for getting your filing system in place. The summertime is generally a quieter time with a more slower pace of business, so use this time to get one of your core office systems in place.

The 9 Things You Will Want to Include in Your Email Newsletters
By: Katrina Sawa | 19/07/2008
You probably get numerous newsletters across your desk each month. How many of those do you really read? I am sure that you scan certain newsletters for valuable information, while you just toss others. Then, of course, there those like mine (chuckle), which you read every last word of.

CEO Tips for Getting Staff to Understand You
By: Pamela Scott | 19/07/2008
This article is directed to the CEO, but it can help anyone in a management position communicate more clearly with staff.

Protect Your Internet Home Business
By: John McRae | 18/07/2008
Running an internet home business or any small business for that matter involves some degree of risk. The business could fail and if you are not protected creditors will be coming after you. There is also the very real possibility that your business could be a success and give you the financial freedom every person dreams of. With that new found freedom brings another creditor, the IRS.

How to Promote an Office Cleaning Business
By: Brent Wale | 18/07/2008
If you are either thinking about start your own janitorial/ office cleaning business, or if you already own and operate a cleaning business..Here are some tips on how to promote and market your cleaning company.

How to Establish yourself as an Expert
By: Katrina Sawa | 18/07/2008
Establishing yourself as an Expert in your field is a great way to get added exposure, publicity and credibility for you and your business which will ultimately bring you more sales and more money!!

Are Your Prices High Enough?
By: Stephen Oliver | 18/07/2008
Conventional wisdom dictates that you should discount to get the business at any cost. This article suggests that you in fact should be raising your prices instead and focussing on your most valuable customers instead.

More from Jim Mack

Getting Your Foot In The Door With Proper Marketing
By: Jim Mack | 20/06/2007 | Business Opportunities
One of the hardest things to take into consideration when it comes to home business is marketing. Finding the right way to let people know that you and your business are there is absolutely the most important aspect of the process. If you are to make a name for yourself, sell your products and earn an income, you must have the right tools in place to help you to make that happen.

Developing Your Ultimate Home Business Strategy
By: Jim Mack | 11/06/2007 | Marketing
If you have a new home business, you need to spend some time putting together just the right home business success strategies to make it really work for you. If you woke up to that brilliant idea (or found it on the web) you have to take that idea and create the best possible strategy for it so that you can find yourself on top of the game.

Home Business Success Strategies Are A Must
By: Jim Mack | 11/06/2007 | Business Opportunities
Do you have a home business success strategy in place to propel your business through each phase? Although there are more and more people that are striving for owning and running their own home based business, very few of them are finding the success that they need because they simply do not have the right strategies in place to help that to happen.

Your Home Business Doesnt Have To Fail
By: Jim Mack | 07/06/2007 | Business Opportunities
A whopping 95% of home business attempts fail this is what statistics tell us, whether we like it or not. However, there are a lot of people who succeed and make no secret out of what it takes to be in the remaining 5%.

Why Home Businesses Fail
By: Jim Mack | 24/08/2006 | Home Business
It takes more than a desire to be your own boss or to become financially independent. Many home businesses fail for very simple reasons.

Advertising to Avoid Home Business Failure
By: Jim Mack | 24/08/2006 | Management
Operating a home-based business can bring about various challenges. Success or failure can be directly affected by advertising strategies, techniques, and approaches.

How to Reverse a Declining Home Business
By: Jim Mack | 09/08/2006 | Business Opportunities
Owning and operating a home business can be both rewarding and exciting especially when all of the hard work, efforts, time and money invested begin to payoff.

Training Employees for Home Based Businesses
By: Jim Mack | 28/07/2006 | Home Business
When you go out and take the plunge and hire people in your new home business, you have to train them. Here are some of the best ways.

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below