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4 keys to make your marketing – and yourself – more efficient
10 October 2023 | Efficiency
Do you also wish that the day had more hours? There are many, including you, who wish so. But, as much as we'd like to have an extra hour here and an extra three hours there, we have 24 hours at our disposal – every day.
What you have to do is use the time in the best way. You need to gain control over your days and create habits that allow you to tackle tasks more effectively overall.
So, how do you get started? Well, you can start by checking out our four super tips below. And when you've read them, choose one of the tips and make it your reality. And then one more. Because, it's better to start gradually and get sustainable habits, than to do everything at once. Baby steps, you know.
Okay, let's go!
1. Embrace monotasking!
Have you perhaps heard of multitasking? Monotasking is the exact opposite of multitasking. Yes, instead of answering emails, watering the flowers and updating Instagram – at the same time – you make sure to do one thing at a time. One thing. At a time.
Doing one thing at a time may seem easy, but is also difficult. How are you supposed to be able to do just one thing when the colleague wants your help with a text and you also need to finish writing that email?
To facilitate monotasking, you can for example:
Identify distractions
Is it the mailbox that is pinging? Colleagues talking on the phone? Or possibly notifications on your mobile phone that have your attention?
Set the status "Busy"
Put the mobile phone on "Do not disturb", or put it in another room. Choose a place where you can be at peace. And set aside time in your calendar for what you actually want to do when you don't want to be disturbed.
Plan your day
When do you need to keep your head up and when do you need to replenish your energy? Write down today's to do's and adapt them to your energy levels.
Take a break
It might sound inefficient to take a break, but if you have a lot on your schedule, it's important that you also rest your brain and make sure to recharge for upcoming "sessions".
Eating lunch in front of your work computer can seem smart and save time. However, try to reduce multitasking – eat first, and work later.
2. Dump recurring tasks
It's time to stop doing the same thing 100 times over! Surely you feel the same? (Yes!) But maybe you're also wondering how to do it? Here are some suggestions on how you can reduce the amount of repetitive tasks.
Set up automations
Automated SMS and emails are personalized, save time and drive sales – all at the same time! You can send them both before, during and after an event or visit. And you can include things like customer surveys, important information and birthday greetings.
Stop exporting & importing CSV lists
Make sure to gather up-to-date customer lists and marketing tools in only one platform. This way you don't have to export and import CSV lists before every SMS or email. And! With automatic data retrieval, you can really say goodbye to this part.
Schedule posts and mailings
Do you have a lot of posts and mailings to publish or send? Then you should bulk schedule these! By scheduling Instagram posts, newsletters and LinkedIn posts at one time, you can focus on it once instead of publishing content several times a week. Also, make sure the content is ready before scheduling.
With SMS and email automations, you can both save time, send personal mailings and drive sales.
3. Start your day the right way
If you snooze, you lose. Surely you recognize the expression? It may be somewhat worn-out, but it still has an important point. If you avoid snooze, scroll and other moments that trigger your stress levels, you can get a really good start to the day. And become really efficient.
Turn off the alarm and get up – period
It's not more difficult than that. And just like that you've saved 5, 11 or maybe even 27 minutes? By stopping snoozing, you lay the foundation for a better start to the day with more control and higher efficiency. Cause hey, oversleeping just messes up the rest of the day, right?
Let your mobile phone be
Well, unless the mobile is in your hand, that is. If you hold your phone, put it down and earn another 15 minutes. Try to avoid looking at your phone as soon as you wake up. Leave the scrolling until lunch, or at least an hour. Instead, devote that time and brainpower to thinking about and planning the day.
Drink a glass (or two) of water
The benefits are incredibly numerous, so if you haven't tried it – try it! Both the body and the brain will thank you. Of course, there are plenty of reasons why you should drink water in the morning. (And instead of us listing them all here, you might as well just Google the benefits.)
Fill your lungs with fresh air
Breath in, breath out. Surely you can get 2 minutes on the balcony or a shorter walk around the block? Great! Fresh air, sunlight and simple movement make you invigorate properly. Morning fatigue is reduced and you can get started on other tasks more quickly. Smart, huh?
Eat breakfast
A solid breakfast makes you physically ready and gives you mental energy for the day. The moment itself of course takes a few extra minutes. You have to spread sandwiches, pour juice and boil eggs (or whatever your breakfast consists of). But, with breakfast in your body, you will be more focused the rest of the day, and thus more efficient.
Organize your day
Do you know what to focus on today? Which task that is most important? Make sure you have a clear plan for the day. In this way, it becomes easier to realize what you actually have to accomplish, and to focus on the right things. Also consider monotasking – one thing at a time. If you multitask your way through the day, as mentioned, it only becomes more messy and less efficient.
Start slowly – one habit at a time
Of course, you can go all-in and make all our tips your new everyday life – all at once. Or you think more sustainably. Start by stopping snoozing. When that habit sets in, you stop looking at your phone in the mornings. Then you add a glass of water, a walk, breakfast, and so on.
It can be tempting to stay in bed, but make sure to get up when the alarm actually goes off.
4. Gather inspiration for increased productivity
Is it possible to be creative and efficient at the same time? Well. There are many who find it difficult to come up with ideas when you have to deliver and be productive. That the brain is completely still when it truly matters. That it is tough to bring out creativity.
But, it doesn't have to be very complicated. There are actually some simple tips on how you can streamline your creative process. It all starts with gathering inspiration. And inspiration? It's everywhere.
Gather inspiration
Make sure to continuously collect inspiration, from both your own industry and other businesses. You can, for example, take screenshots of emails, websites and advertisements. Jot down copy you've seen, take pictures of posters and note ideas. Collect, collect, collect!
Save the inspiration in folders
Either you collect all inspiration in one place, or you are smart from the start and categorize the inspo in folders and documents. (We recommend option 2!) This is to make it easier for you to find the inspiration when you need it. Tag the screenshots, notes and images – or find a system that works for you.
Use AI as help
AI is here to stay, so why not use the technology? Use AI as a springboard when you're stuck in your creative process. You can get tips and ideas regarding both headlines and copy, as well as images and projects. Save the tips in your inspiration folders for future needs.
Prompt correctly
If you are going to use AI in your creative work in the most effective way, you are right to learn prompting. And yes, we have a great tip for just this! The tip is to ask, for example, ChatGPT what information you need to provide, in order to get help. Example: "What information do you need from me, to give me a subject line for an email?"
Learn prompting! If you are not sure what information you need to provide the bot with, you can try asking what information the bot needs.