You can have all the digital skills necessary for your marketing role, but if you aren't productive on a day to day basis, you'll never be able to achieve your lead generation and engagement goals. While some people seem to be born with the ability to take advantage of every moment available to then, others struggle to figure out how to get things done. You'll find that if you're dedicated and willing to experiment that it's possible to learn productivity—even if it isn’t an innate skill. We compiled four of the simplest tips to help you become more productive than you have ever been before as a marketer.
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Productivity is more than just writing lists...although lists do help!
1. Remove Distractions
When you sit down to work, removing distractions is key. This can be particularly difficult for marketers. After all, how can you possibly utilize social media as a marketing tool without falling prey to its sirens’ song that sucks you in and wastes your time? One idea is to set aside specific social media time - one block at the beginning and end of day for responding to comments and engaging with your followers. You can also schedule posts ahead of time using tools like HootSuite so that even if you want to post at a later date, you don’t have to log back in and risk being distracted. Other distractions can plague a marketer too. If necessary close your office door for parts of the day or put in headphones so you can focus on the task at hand. Some people even set “office hours” so that they can have uninterrupted time to work. Collaboration is key for marketers, but only if it doesn't distract from your high value tasks.
2. Make Lists
For many, the best way to stay on task and productive is to make a list, or several. However, a list is only useful if you use it. Consider beginning with a simple to-do list for the week. Check off the items as you complete them in order to track your productivity at the end of the week. Once you've mastered using this tool you can branch out to utilizing more detailed lists or even an agenda to keep up with your goals and plans. Nothing beats the feeling of writing out by hand your to-do list for the day then packing up and going home with all the items checked off. Lists also help you organize your days or weeks and help prioritize the highest value tasks at hand.
3. Set Limits
In some cases, you may be working hard but you can’t seem to get anything done. Instead of focusing all your time on a job that you cannot complete, set a limit for when you will stop. Then, you can move on to another, potentially more pressing task. When you set limits, you also give yourself a sense of urgency, so you are more likely to move faster and get things done anyway. Another word for this is "timeblocking" where you set a maximum duration for a tasks. This technique is useful for limiting meeting lengths, time spent writing a piece of content, and much more.
4. The Pomodoro Technique
One final tip for boosting your productivity is to harness the power of the Pomodoro technique. Developed in the 1980’s the Pomodoro technique uses a timer to break down work into intervals. The plan is as complex or simple as you want to make it, but you essentially break down your work into 25-minute intervals with 3 to 5 minutes in between—and a longer 15 to 30-minute break after four intervals. Using this program can be a great way to help you focus on tasks that require intense concentration and also force you to relax and take a break now and then. As marketers, you often have a million small tasks to complete making your days seem hectic. By setting specific intervals for each of these tasks, it'll organize your day and help you get things done.
In the marketing profession, it can be easy to lose track of your time. You can never reach your goals and grow in the field unless you take advantage of every moment you have available. Hopefully, with these productivity tips, you will be able to do just that. Want to learn even more about productivity and time management? As a digital marketing apprentice in our 12 month intensive program, you'll learn the SCRUM methodology for project management. Learn more today about the program and curriculum tailored for digital marketers.
