Time is precious, and yet we all tend to waste it (including myself here). Time management can be a tricky business, especially when you’re using social media. Here are some things I’ve learned from ten years managing social media for myself and others.
Use a Timer
A good timer, such as Noko (the one I use) helps you see in graphic format exactly where your time is going. If you don’t have the money for a professional timer or app, any timer will help. I used to use an egg timer, and that worked fine. Something about the ticking really did help. If you’re short on time, you might like: What if you only have 30 minutes for social media?
Plan Each Day
Before you start working, have a plan. Now, you may not follow the plan, but at least you have a structure to fall back onto when you think “now what was I supposed to be doing?” Because you will forget and become distracted without a plan. My planning takes roughly 5-7 minutes to do, either the night before or the day of. A social media content calendar is a very good idea, by the way. You can use Excel or you can use a social media content calendar, such as this one from Later.
Prioritize
Once you’ve written down everything you have to do, prioritize. You probably have 5-7 things you must do each day. Decide which items are necessities. Then decide which you’ll do first, second, third, etc.
Have a Reason
Why are you on Twitter? What are you doing on Facebook? Stick to your reason, post, and have a definite period of time you plan to be there. Then get out before you get sucked in! Because you will get sucked in…there are a million billion videos of cute kittens just waiting for you.
Maintain Focus
Stay focused on your purpose for being on social media. Are you there to comment on others’ posts? Then do that? Are you there to check on your own posts? Do that and (again) get out!
Delegate
If you get distracted easily, you might want someone else to do your social media for you. Find someone who can post, or who can engage on your behalf. Need more time? You might want to Outsource Your Social Media.
Keep it Quiet
Most people thrive with a quiet environment, especially if you tend to get sensory overload from being online.
Use White Noise
A white noise generator can also work if the sound of waves or wind help you. I like one that has birds (quietly) chirping, along with a few frogs.
Learn to Say No
Saying no is perhaps the most important tactic of all. Think of a few different ways to say no. In the article 7 Tips for Saying No Effectively, Joseph Albert suggests being assertive and courteous: “You might say, “I’m sorry I can’t right now but will let you know when and if I can.” This approach is polite, and puts you in a position of power by changing the dynamic.” Isn’t that wonderful? He also suggests standing firm when pushed, which leads me to the next suggestion…
Be Ruthless
Guard your time like a dragon guards its lair. It’s your life and your business, after all! Who else is going to guard it?
Good stuff here Carol. I have a weird type of tinnitus, so white noise doesn’t work for me. I constantly hear a musical beat in my head, and sometimes I find myself lacking enough concentration to do what I’m supposed to be doing because of it. Instead, I’ve found that classical music of any kind helps me concentrate, even if I’m not paying attention to it, because it’s a more diverse music than any other and, luckily, I enjoy it.
Oh, that’s cool about the classical music, Mitch. And luckily, it’s easy to find. Back in college, classical music was so great to listen to while studying. Bach in particular. Thanks for stopping by!