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Sure we should all be using social networking - but how do you fit it into your day?
It’s
a question that I’ve had plenty of people put to me lately, and one
I’ve in turn asked experts in the field. But I’m yet to get a
satisfactory answer.
Just like getting out of the office to network in real life, staying in to network can be just as disruptive to your day. Sure you can do it in your PJs but what about getting the real work done?
I turned off the check on the minute email notification months ago and it has changed my life. We also have a telephone reception service that means right now, while I’m trying to get some writing done, a lovely New Zealand lady is taking my phone messages and assuring people I’ll get back to them later today. In our last print run, I didn’t include my mobile number on my business card. I’ve done these things to minmise disruption so I can write, create systems, grow my business and be a good manager to my staff.
Our business is making websites. But we have grown into a team of people which means I don’t get to make websites anymore. It’s my job to do the marketing, sales and PR, along with managing the business. This means it’s actually part my job to do the social networking and be on Twitter, Facebook and Linked in regularly. Some people would envy me this but I still find it hard to find the time with managing a small business.
In an attempt to tweet more regularly on Twitter, I recently downloaded tweet deck, a nifty program that will alert you when anyone makes an update. It also allows me to update my “corporate” Facebook page (which I strongly recommend if you feel the professional is blurring with the personal a little too much). It’s one less website to log into at least, and I spend less time scanning streams of tweets for replies.
That’s all fine if you have half a dozen friends, but once you start hitting 100 it’s just plain disruptive. There are people I follow who have thousands. How do they get any work done?
One solution suggested by an Online PR firm was simply “Get us to do it!” Great idea, but problematic on a small budget and potentially dangerous if you get caught out. It’s all a bit too much for the average small business to even contemplate.
What I’ve done to keep a little bit of control over my day is:
Stop the alerts from facebook, linked in and twitter coming via email or SMS. Instead, book out time to log into to them all, update your status and see what others are doing.
If you have to get some real work done, turn off anything that is likely to interrupt. The phone, Tweetdeck, IM programs, skype and email. I sometimes simply turn off my internet all together! I’m yet to die from doing so.
What I’m finding is that the answer is the same for all our marketing and PR problems - it’s about being regular, consistent and most of all, self disciplined!
Just like getting out of the office to network in real life, staying in to network can be just as disruptive to your day. Sure you can do it in your PJs but what about getting the real work done?
I turned off the check on the minute email notification months ago and it has changed my life. We also have a telephone reception service that means right now, while I’m trying to get some writing done, a lovely New Zealand lady is taking my phone messages and assuring people I’ll get back to them later today. In our last print run, I didn’t include my mobile number on my business card. I’ve done these things to minmise disruption so I can write, create systems, grow my business and be a good manager to my staff.
Our business is making websites. But we have grown into a team of people which means I don’t get to make websites anymore. It’s my job to do the marketing, sales and PR, along with managing the business. This means it’s actually part my job to do the social networking and be on Twitter, Facebook and Linked in regularly. Some people would envy me this but I still find it hard to find the time with managing a small business.
In an attempt to tweet more regularly on Twitter, I recently downloaded tweet deck, a nifty program that will alert you when anyone makes an update. It also allows me to update my “corporate” Facebook page (which I strongly recommend if you feel the professional is blurring with the personal a little too much). It’s one less website to log into at least, and I spend less time scanning streams of tweets for replies.
That’s all fine if you have half a dozen friends, but once you start hitting 100 it’s just plain disruptive. There are people I follow who have thousands. How do they get any work done?
One solution suggested by an Online PR firm was simply “Get us to do it!” Great idea, but problematic on a small budget and potentially dangerous if you get caught out. It’s all a bit too much for the average small business to even contemplate.
What I’ve done to keep a little bit of control over my day is:
Stop the alerts from facebook, linked in and twitter coming via email or SMS. Instead, book out time to log into to them all, update your status and see what others are doing.
If you have to get some real work done, turn off anything that is likely to interrupt. The phone, Tweetdeck, IM programs, skype and email. I sometimes simply turn off my internet all together! I’m yet to die from doing so.
What I’m finding is that the answer is the same for all our marketing and PR problems - it’s about being regular, consistent and most of all, self disciplined!
Bernabei Freeman at the InStyle Awards
Kelly and Rina of Bernabei Freeman were "papped" at the InStyle Women in Style Awards. Cate Blanchet was the overall winner.
Photo courtesy of Zimbio
Staff Lunch @ zfweb
While we do this every Wednesday, we moved outside and had a bit of wine for this staff lunch as it was a special occasion. Clinno (in the red hat) has been working for us for months but we'd never met him in person! So we got him up to Sydney for a spot of lunch and a chance to meet in real life.
(Zoe, Matt, Clinno and Nicole from left to right)
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