Archive for August, 2010
Multitasking is a Myth
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Everyone knows that multitasking sounds impressive. The majority think that the more tasks you can cram into a short time period, the better.
However, are multitaskers really more productive? The reality is, this skill is vastly overrated. This is because the human mind is made to focus on no more than one to two tasks at a time. Whenever you try to do multiple things, your effectiveness goes down dramatically.
This is supported scientifically. Each task will end up taking longer, and you will make more mistakes as well. The fact is that you are never more effective than when you just focus on only one task.
However, what if that isn’t possible for you? After all, a lot of business owners wear many hats. Some have to handle the advertising, product development, and customer management all themselves. What’s the solution to multitasking in that scenario? Here are two ways:
1. Batch activities
For instance, don’t pick up the phone throughout the day. Instead, have a set time each day that you handle all your calls. Answering the phone during the day causes a dramatic decrease in production, because you are constantly being distracted from the more important tasks.
And for some activities, batching can even save you time. For instance, instead of doing your company errands sporadically, get them done at the same time each week. This will prevent you from making multiple trips. This will save you time, in addition to reducing distraction.
The kind of things to batch include all your routine tasks like checking email, phone calls, tracking cash flow, and so on.
2. Outsource your work
Many tasks can be easily given to others. And the fewer tasks you have, the easier it is to single task.
For instance, let’s say you make handmade soaps and lotions. There are only so many hours in the day and at some point, your income is going to level off if the whole operation is dependent on you.
Not only is your income limited, but your effectiveness at making them will be as well. This is because you also have to focus on marketing, customer management, and other day-to-day tasks.
This produces a tremendous temptation to multitask. However, when you outsource the customer management and marketing, you can then produce a lot more of your handmade soaps and lotions. This will give you more time to focus on the important activities of product creation (a.k.a. Doing What You Love), which is why you started your business. The fewer activities you have to focus on, the easier single tasking will become.
The bottom line is, multitasking does not work and is a myth. Even if you don’t have the money right now to outsource anything, focusing on just one task at a time will result in maximum effectiveness.
How the Fierce Handle Fear
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I’m so excited – today is the day…book launch day.
You’ve probably heard from me already about How the Fierce Handle Fear: Secrets to Succeeding in Challenging Times, the book in which I am a co-author. Let me tell you more about it though, because if you purchase the book within the next 24 hours, you’ll get a powerful free bonus. (And did I tell you that the proceeds from the book go to charity?)
I want to tell you the reason that I chose to be in this book, and to write about a very personal story from my life. These are challenging times and I really believe that your ability to handle fear is one of the most important skills you can master. This book of the best ideas of 22 amazing experts will help with exactly that whether the issue is little scary moments or the big, mind-numbing
fearful events.
http://www.HowtheFierceHandleFear.com
Now, here’s the offer good for today only:
If you buy your copy of “How the Fierce Handle Fear” from Amazon.com within the next 24 hours you’ll also get exclusive access to the complete audio collection of the groundbreaking “Fearless Fridays Telesummit”. This was the recent event featuring over 30 amazing speakers offering their best tips on handling fear.
Just go to http://www.HowtheFierceHandleFear.com for details on how to get the recordings. Once you get the book, let me know how you like my essay, okay?
I’m so excited to be a published author again! And proud to be contributing through this project to Frank McKinney’s Caring House Project Fund which provides needed help to the desperately poor and homeless throughout the world.
Warmly,
Janet
P.S. – I would love for you to share this link with your family and friends. Getting a grip on fear will help us all to move out of these challenging times and on to the better ones ahead.
Building Your Business on Facebook
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If you’ve been on any of my recent teleseminars or webinars, you’ll know that when used right, Facebook can be very profitable. The question most people ask is, “how do I network on Facebook effectively?”
Here are three tips to make it happen:
Get involved in groups
Many people think Facebook is an untargeted site, because of the wide range of users. However, there are many niche-specific groups you can join.
This enables you to target people who would be interested in your product or service. There is no sense in trying to network with people that would not benefit from the service or product you are selling. However, please keep in mind that you need to network with others and not always be a “walking” billboard for your business.
Get involved in the community
Once you’ve identified the groups you want to join, then you can engage in conversations with people. Developing trust is one of the most important things for effective Facebook networking.
If people believe you really want to help them, you are much more likely to “sell” them something. Most businesses make the mistake of ramming their sales message down others’ throats without asking what their customers want. This is a dead giveaway they are just in it for the profit and are the walking billboard I described before.
Instead, you want to get involved in community discussions and answer people’s questions. When you do this, they will come to view you as an expert, and therefore trust what you have to say more.
Don’t expect anything in return. You should look to benefit people even if they never buy your service or product. If you genuinely want to help people, profits will be an inevitable by-product.
Have a good profile
This is the golden rule. All that effort you put into answering questions is for nothing if your profile is not effective.
One very important part of your profile is having a blog that provides valuable content. Then you can add a link to your site at the bottom. Again, just focus on providing good free content. Don’t try to sell them anything here. Leave that for your site. You want your blog to benefit your readers even if they don’t buy what you are selling.
Developing trust is key. People can instantly tell the difference between somebody who wants to sell them something and one who wants to help them. So the key to making money on Facebook, like anywhere else, is providing good, free information.
Facebook offers plenty of income potential, so implement these three tips and you will see results soon.
Do you want to receive more social media tips, hints and tricks? If so, sign up for my weekly business tips, Biz Tips for Entrepreneurs and Solo Business Owners, which will be delivered to your inbox every Tuesday. As an added bonus, you will also receive my free ebook, Biz Tips The Book: Entrepreneur Edition as my way of saying thank you.
Please know that your information is safe with us. We will never rent or sell your information. Period.
Keyword Research Explained
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Saturday at the Niche Affiliate Marketing System (NAMS) workshop a panel of experts in keyword research talked for almost 90 minutes, opening up with their best tips, opinions and ideas on this important part of online marketing. And the NAMS people have made the recording of the session into a virtual product, Niche Keyword Resources, as a training tool for attendees.
This is great news for you if you have a business that is marketed online – and you know every business should be marketed online these days! The experts interviewed include Dan Morris of LettersfromDan.com, Karon Thackston of SearchEngineGuide.com, Susanne Myers of AffiliateNichePacks.com and Lynne Terry of ClickNewz.com. Some really huge names in the world of internet marketing.
Whether you are new to keyword research or already know about it, you will get new ideas from this information packed recording. It’s the kind of resource you will want to keep for years and pull out again and again as your business grows. Don’t hesitate to get your copy, it will be available for a short time only – once the workshop ends, the clock is ticking on the product!
Keyword Research is the key to getting qualified traffic to your site. Don’t let lack of understanding stop your ability to make money online. A small investment will bring you big returns – check out the details here.
Do You Want To Change the Life of Your Business and Help a Child at the Same Time?
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There’s a giveaway this weekend like I have never seen. It’s a fundraiser to help children with heart defects AND it’s a business education opportunity for you. An amazing combo and I am proud to be a part of it.
This is a big event with a big goal… to raise over $10,000 for children with fatal heart diseases. We’ll be paying for the surgery for at least 7 children! Donations during the giveaway are up to you, but please don’t miss the opportunity to get a wealth of free business-building information.
Many of you know I am at the Niche Affiliate Marketing Workshop this weekend in Atlanta and this giveaway is a learning exercise for that event. The giveaway lasts from August 20 to August 27, 2010.
Here’s what you can get:
reports, software, ebooks, memberships and powerful information in not only online business development, but also in self help and personal improvement
And this is material from some of the biggest names in online marketing…
Willie Crawford
Kevin Riley
Kathleen Gage
Jeff Herring
Ellen Britt
Bob “The Teacher” Jenkins
Maritza Parra
Nicole Dean
Denise Wakeman
Dan R Morris
And me, Janet Slack…
Hop on over to the site and find the info you need to get business results, make a contribution if you are moved and get into action.
Here’s where to find it all:
This offer only lasts this week, so jump in!
Don’t under-estimate the great feeling you’ll get knowing your donation saves children.
