Running a small, home-based online business can be difficult at times. One of the biggest problems for small business owners is time management. Let me share tips that will be helpful in using your time most effectively.
1. Lists, Lists, Lists
Every morning create a list of specific tasks you need to finish during that day. Tasks that your assistant can do, don't include them. Always keep your list by your side or in your pocket so that Keep your list next to you so you are reminded later in the day what needs to be done. It's okay if you don't get some of your list done. You can always get it done tomorrow.
A list is only a guide to keep you from being distracted by the items that pop up during the day. Keep your top priorities at the top of the list so if the day goes sour, at least you have accomplished the most important things.
2. Wait to Check Your E-Mail
Watch yourself with e-mail or your day may be gone and you've accomplished nothing. You could easily spend 2-3 hours a day with my e-mail. One solution is don't open your e-mail until late morning or early afternoon. By that time, you have taken care of the most important and productive details of your business that day.
When opening your email (even if not replying), you will read concerns that take precious mental time away from your business. You may find yourself thinking how to respond to specific emails when you should be completing activities that actually produce a profit.
3. Monitor Your Internet Time
Surfing on the computer can be a real struggle. You may find yourself spending countless hours at the computer (and gaining a sore back in the process). If your family income is dependent on the internet, you must spend a fair amount of time on the computer. But, be careful to reduce the amount of time spent "surfing" the internet. Instead, use that time to write articles, develop new products, and other activities to drive traffic to your website.
4. Limit Your Chat Time on the Phone
The phone may not be much of a temptation, but some business owners can waste much time answering every call that comes in to the office. If you can't afford an assistant, buy an answering machine. Use your mornings to accomplish profit-producing tasks. Do not answer the phone while you are finishing these type of tasks. For online small businesses, these activities include developing products, blasting articles around the net for backward links and optimizing your website for more traffic.
Take a moment and evaluate your day. See how much time you are wasting on email, on the phone and on internet surfing. Use these ideas to improve your time management immediately.
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Kerry Beck, along with her husband Stephen, help families start & grow online businesses. She has been featured in The Old Schoolhouse magazine, Mom-to-Mom radio show and Talk-A-Latte podcasting. You can read more about blogging on their website, http://www.FamilyEbiz.com Kerry wants to give you the 6 Steps of Creating an Online Business audio interview at this link: Christian Home Business
4 Home-Based Internet Businesses Time Management Tips
Making a small home-based internet business run can be a daunting task. Time management is one of the biggest problems facing these business owners. These tips that I can share will be very helpful in managing your time.
1. Lists, Lists, Lists
Each morning make a list of specific tasks you need to do that day. Don't include tasks your assistant can do. Keep your list next to you so you are reminded later in the day what needs to be done. Its's not a problem it you don't get it done on that particular date. Just get it done tomorrow.
The list serves as a guide to keep you from wandering off and doing random things that pop up into your mind during the day. Tasks of high priorities should be at the top of the list so when the day gets too complicated and a lot of tasks come in, well, the most important things were already done.
2. Wait to Check Your E-Mail
Watch your time when working with email or you'll end eating up your time and end up accomplishing nothing. Without knowing it you'll easily spend 2-3 hours each day with e-mail. Set specific times to open them like late morning or early afternoon. Usually on that time, the most important tasks related to your business has already been accomplished.
Email browsing (not counting replying), You'll come across concerns that eat away precious time from your business. You end up figuring out how to respond to those emails when you are supposed to be doing tasks which could actually bring you sales.
3. Be Wary On Spending Your Time On The Internet
Internet surfing is really quite a hassle. Countless hours are usually spend on the front of a computer (and eventuallly geting low back pain). If the internet dictates your family income, you should allocate a considerable amount of time on the computer. However, do watch out! Use the internet to work not to "surf" so that time's not wasted. Then, use the remaining time to work on articles, come up with new products, and other activities that increase traffic to your site.
4. Phone Chat Time Should Be Limited.
It may not be much of a thing to worry about, however, much time can be wasted by some businessmen just by answering every call that comes to their office. If an assistant is too much, get an answering machine. Mornings are supposed to be utilized to come up with profit-producing tasks. Never answer the phone while you are doing these tasks. For Online internet businesses, these tasks are developing products, posting articles for backlinks and website optimizing in order to generate more traffic.
Pause and Plan out your day. Are you wasting too much time on email, on the phone? or on internet surfing? Using the above ideas will greatly improve the way you manage your time.
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