Here is a little article marketing success secret that I don’t often share…
As a psychotherapist I have studied the topic of human psychology over the years, and sometimes it comes in quite handy in my online business. And not for examining clients, but for increasing my own productivity.
There is something very psychological about having to complete a task in a specific period of time. While a few of us may fall apart under the pressure, most of us tend to fall in line and produce when we are under pressure to do so.
Think about writing papers in school – didn’t most of us procrastinate until the last minute but always got it done? Or what about your last project at work? Didn’t you get it done because you only had a few days to do so? Plus – I don’t know about you, but amazingly enough I seemed to write “better” when I had the pressure of a deadline. I always got a “Great Job Lisa!”
Well the same principles can be applied to your business and especially in your marketing tasks. Now while you have to put the pressure on yourself rather than an outside force doing it – I find that it still works.
In order to give myself a strict timeline, I like to use an old standard – a kitchen timer – when I sit down at the computer to write my articles for the day or for the week.
Kitchen timers are virtually indestructible and are loud! They also are portable, so you can travel with them and are very inexpensive to buy. I love them.
This is why I look at my kitchen timer 3 times while I am writing an article…
1. First I set the timer. I usually give myself about 30 minutes per article. You may need more or less depending on how many words you write. A good rule of thumb to follow is 300 words in 30 minutes.
2. I always get to a point in an article when I’m either tired, stuck, or thirsty! I take a look at the timer around this point in the writing process to see how much more time I have. I usually learn that I have about 10 more minutes, and then I get to furiously writing and “closing” the article.
3. I hear the timer go BUZZ!!! or DING! DING! Time’s up. I may have to close out a sentence. Then I save. Do a quick read through and then start the article submission process, or I save it for submitting another day.
Bottom line? Put yourself on a self-imposed deadline and watch your article marketing productivity soar!
Get your own Kitchen Timer
Hey Lisa,
That’s very resourceful!
Simple yet it sounds like it’s going to work for me. I really want to try it out.
As writer, when I begin to focus I tend to lose my grip with time. I usually end up cramming because no one/thing reminds me of time. I guess a little competition with the kitchen timer will work. Moreover, a little pressure is healthy sometimes. Great tip! Thanks!
.-= Alex Lim´s last blog ..Introduction To My 90 Day Challenge…. And My Confession =-.
Let me know how it goes Alex. It works pretty much:) every time!
Hey Lisa,
That’s very resourceful!
Simple yet it sounds like it’s going to work for me. I really want to try it out.
As writer, when I begin to focus I tend to lose my grip with time. I usually end up cramming because no one/thing reminds me of time. I guess a little competition with the kitchen timer will work. Moreover, a little pressure is healthy sometimes. Great tip! Thanks!
.-= Alex Lim´s last blog ..Introduction To My 90 Day Challenge…. And My Confession =-.
Let me know how it goes Alex. It works pretty much:) every time!
Article Marketing Success: Put The Pressure On! http://bit.ly/AF8a8
Hey Lisa-
This is a great article. While I do write articles pretty quickly (I think that’s the blabber mouth in me
I also tend to get side tracked by other things (ie checking email, tweeting, etc.). I’m going to get a timer and try it.
Michelle
PS I wrote two new articles today and 1 two days ago. I’m working feverishly over here!
Hey Michelle – you are kicking article butt! Good job. The timer works. I have to – or like you said I will look up and all of a sudden I spent 40 minutes on Twitter just shooting the breeze. Focus has been my mantra for 2009 and I’ve seen tremendous results from a 7 dollar kitchen timer!
Hey Lisa-
This is a great article. While I do write articles pretty quickly (I think that’s the blabber mouth in me
I also tend to get side tracked by other things (ie checking email, tweeting, etc.). I’m going to get a timer and try it.
Michelle
PS I wrote two new articles today and 1 two days ago. I’m working feverishly over here!
Hey Michelle – you are kicking article butt! Good job. The timer works. I have to – or like you said I will look up and all of a sudden I spent 40 minutes on Twitter just shooting the breeze. Focus has been my mantra for 2009 and I’ve seen tremendous results from a 7 dollar kitchen timer!
Great perception, Lisa. Time gets away from us so fast and before we know it we haven’t written that blog or sent the emails. I have a very difficult time scheduling myself so your ideas are very helpful.
Best
Morgan at TheDebtDance.com
.-= Morgan at TheDebtDance´s last blog ..One of the Best Kept Secrets for Achieving Your Dreams =-.
We’re all a work in progress Morgan. Keep hangin’ in there and I will too:-)
Great perception, Lisa. Time gets away from us so fast and before we know it we haven’t written that blog or sent the emails. I have a very difficult time scheduling myself so your ideas are very helpful.
Best
Morgan at TheDebtDance.com
.-= Morgan at TheDebtDance´s last blog ..One of the Best Kept Secrets for Achieving Your Dreams =-.
We’re all a work in progress Morgan. Keep hangin’ in there and I will too:-)