Five Unusual Time-Management Techniques – Could One of These Be Right for You?

Posted: 24 Mar 2014 07:00 AM PDT

Do you have all the time you want to blog?

And are you using your time well?

If you can answer "yes" to both – congratulations! You're in a great position to succeed.

For the vast majority of bloggers, though, time is in short supply … and when we do have time, it can be all too easy to spend it hanging out on Twitter or Facebook.

In fact, these techniques aren't just about managing your time – they're about managing your attention, and staying focused.

Could one of them be just the trick you need to be hugely more productive?

Method #1: Work on Tasks in Rotation

I came across this method in Mark Forster's book Get Everything Done (And Still Have Time to Play). To start with, make a list of tasks, like this:

Clear email inbox
Write blog post
Queue up tweets in Buffer

Then work on each one for 5 minutes in rotation – so spend five minutes clearing emails, five minutes writing your blog post, and five minutes creating tweets.

Start from the top again, but this time work on each task for ten minutes. If you finish something, cross it off.

This way, you can get a lot done in a short space of time. To begin with, it's easy to work for 5 minutes on something (even if it feels like a really big daunting task) – and gradually, you work in longer and longer bursts, allowing you to achieve greater focus.

Method #2: Productive Procrastination

Procrastination – putting off the things you know you should be doing – is the opposite of good time management, right?

Well, not necessarily. You can actually get a lot done while you're procrastinating. For instance, if you're reluctant to write that blog post you really should be working on, you might find that you're able to get through a lot of emails or research while putting it off.

(Alternatively, you might find you're inspired to get to work! If I'm reluctant to write, I tell myself it's either writing or housework. The writing invariably wins…)

Method #3: Getting Things Done (GTD)

If you're spent much time in productivity-geek circles, you'll have heard of Getting Things Done, David Allen's time-management system (popularised by the book of the same name). I'm classing it as "unusual" though, because I don't think it's so widely known generally!

GTD is overkill for some, but as Allen points out in the book, if you just get a few good tricks from it, it's well worth your time. There's a great article on getting started with it here (by Merlin Mann, on 43 Folders).

I've considered a GTD approach before and have found it overkill … but now I have so many projects on the go, I'm planning to switch over to using it as a methodology. I'll keep you posted on how it goes! If you're already using GTD or plan to, let me know in the comments: I love to hear your tips.

Method #4: Take More Breaks

This might seem counter-intuitive … but it actually works. One time-management problem that bloggers often face is that it's really tough to focus on tasks like writing and research for long stretches of time.

If you find that your attention often wanders, and you open up Facebook or your email without even consciously thinking about it, you might be trying to work for too long without a break. Next time you sit down to blog, try working in focused bursts, followed by a short break – e.g. 25 minutes then a 5 minute break (a pomodoro), or 45 minutes then a 15 minute break.

Method #5: Keep a Time Log for a Week

A time log is simply a list of everything you do during the course of a day. You might use this for your work day (if you're a full time blogger) or your blogging time, or you might literally record everything.

This is a really powerful way to find out exactly what you're spending your time on. You could keep a time log in a spreadsheet or even on paper, but if you do want to make the process a little smoother, RescueTime is great and has both free and premium options.

Which of these techniques will you try out this week? Drop a comment below and tell us what you'll be doing.

Wanna learn how to make more money with your website? Check the Online Profits training program!

ProBlogger: Conversion Case Study: How I Made $7115 From 85 Unique Visitors

Conversion Case Study: How I Made $7115 From 85 Unique Visitors

Posted: 23 Mar 2014 09:51 AM PDT

This is a guest contribution from Marcus Maclean, of The Million-Dollar Case Study.

Image from DryIcons

Over the years, I’ve created and sold several "how-to" information products online, but none have been as successful as The Million Dollar Case Study. Within days of launching the site, I made $7115 from the first 85 unique visitors.

Since then the site has continued to grow steadily, and I’m still amazed at the conversion statistics. Currently, the squeeze page converts at 67% and the video sales letter at 8.2%.

If you’re struggling to convert browsers into buyers, here’s the exact strategy I’m using. It works in any niche, but it’s particularly effective in competitive, popular niches.

First Off, Your Product And Market Are Everything

Without a doubt, the number-one factor in my success so far is the product and market. The reality is, people in the "make money online" niche are ready and willing to spend money on products they like. Case studies are generally popular in most markets, but especially so in the internet marketing sphere.

If you have lots of traffic but very few conversions, I would take a good long look at your niche and product or service. Ask yourself honestly, "Are there enough interested buyers around?"

If you’re not sure, I highly recommend paying a visit to the ClickBank marketplace to find out. Simply find the category you’re involved in and see if there’s lots of products with a decent gravity (more than 20-30). If there are, you’re in a good niche; if not, that’s your basic problem.

Ignore The Crowd

The single most important factor in improving your conversion rate is your sales letter. If it works, you have a license to print money. If not, again, you’re fighting a losing battle.

The good news is, it’s very easy to get a sales letter or video to convert, but the key is to go against the grain. Most internet marketers copy each other and that simply doesn’t work anymore.

This is the simple process I use that works very well:

First off, I interrupt the same old, same old. Most people expect to hear a long boring sales pitch or a hyped up motivational success story. So I do the exact opposite. I get straight to the point and reveal exactly what my product does, and more importantly, who it can help and who it can’t.

I’m honest about my intentions. I have no idea why most marketers "hide" the sale until later in the sales funnel, when all you have to do is let people know that you’re in business to make money. Everyone knows that anyway, and it makes it a lot easier to ask for the sale.

Authority, customer advocacy and hope are my most powerful weapons. I’m not afraid to assert myself as a leader, let people know that I have their best interests at heart (because I actually do) and inspire them to take action.

My product is unique, different and interesting. If you’re just another "me too", it’s very difficult to stand out in today’s marketplace. That’s why I created a case study; instead of teaching people how to make money online, like most people do, I’m just showing what works.

Finally, I use an ultimatum. This strategy is controversial, but it works. I force people to make a decision by giving them a deadline to buy. If they remain indecisive or on the fence when the time limit expires, I simply take them off my list.

The Real Money Is Made On The Back End

Membership sales have steadily grown since launching The Million Dollar Case Study, and it’s nice to have a regular, passive income, but the real profits come from coaching fees.

The truth is, your front end offer very rarely makes much money, especially if you’re paying for traffic. So the key is to offer a high ticket product or service on the back end to make up the difference.

As long as you’re providing genuine value to your customers, and you’re being open, upfront and honest about your expertise and how you can help them, it’s a fantastic way to earn a living.

One Other Thing – I’m Passionate About My Niche

I’m a firm believer in selling products and services you care about, that you’d personally buy yourself. If you’re not successful online, that’s something you should definitely think about.

In the past I’ve sold products in the weight loss and search engine optimization niches. They sold well, but it was always difficult to motivate myself during the tough times.

Once I started doing what I loved, and selling products and services I believed in, it made my job a lot easier. And besides, your customers can pick up on your enthusiasm, so I believe this is one of the most important factors in determining your conversion rate.

And That’s It

As you can see, it’s not hard. If target the right market and sell what people buy, that’s 90% of the battle. Of course, split testing different elements on your page is important (headline, sub headline, benefits, testimonials, the call to action button and so on), but at the end of the day, if no one wants your products or services, you’re fighting a losing battle.

Marcus Maclean is the founder & CEO of The Million Dollar Case Study, a live video case study detailing exactly how he’s building a brand new million dollar membership website from scratch. To watch the case study unfold, click here.

Originally at: Blog Tips at ProBlogger

Conversion Case Study: How I Made $7115 From 85 Unique Visitors