Hacks on hacks on hacks
Hacks make the world go round. Hacks on hacks on hacks will get your business automated.
The first step to automation is finding out how to maximize the use of your time and the tools that you're using.
Second would be to figure out which tools you love.
Almost every tool has a blog. (Snooze fest..right?!?) some are better than others. The blogs are full of hacks and the best ways to use the tool and other tools that work well with it. Reading the comments are icing on the cake. Typing this, makes it sound really lame and uninteresting and it just may be. However, a 5 minute scan has the potential to change your life.
4 Faves of mine:
Quick tip: Follow the tool on twitter and look at the most favorited and (or) retweeted tweets, because usually those are of importance to all. Asana & Slack both use hashtags for tips #asanatips #slacktips
Action Jackson moment:
1. Put an event in your schedule once a week to peruse one blogs a week for four weeks, then ACTUALLY do it.
Top tools I use monthly:
- Asana
- Evernote
- Google Drive
- Dropbox
- Slack
- Power Editor (Facebook ads)
- Hootsuite & Edgar (if they had a baby I would adopt it and name her Elle...the two combined are awesome)
- Google Chrome (Extensions are your BFF)
Tools I passively use*:
- IFTTT
- Zapier
- Typeform
- Bit.ly
*Passively as in the automation is already set and I don’t even log in or think twice about the tool.
Over the years I've learned hacks on hacks on hacks. These same tips and tricks have automated my businesses and the likes of my favorite lady friends.
Tools are not the reason why you aren't automated.
You probably waste a lot of time in business. Time wasted on things that don't matter, networking (aka social media time suck) with the wrong people, thinking more than doing and just wasting time just doing what you want. Research shows that people waste 60% of their own time, which only leaves 40% to be at maximum productivity. However, the 40% isn’t maximized because most don’t realize that the previous 60% was even wasted.
Be very conscious about concentrating on money generating activities. When you start your day, your three must do things need to be money generating activities. Once completed, move to the supporting activities.
You define what your money generating activities are. Make a list of how you make money and the things you do to support it, then create a hierarchy of what’s most important.
Does this mean all you need to think about is money? Not at all. My thoughts are usually how can I eat cupcakes all day and maintain a healthy tummy to hip ratio. #justbeinghonest
Just be clear on what’s money generating and do those things. Take action then assess.
What are your results from the first week or month of focusing on the money generating tasks?
Your competition isn't doing this, trust me, I've seen her in action.
Truly so many do the same thing over and over and get the same results and wonder why? Hmmm...that is the definition of insanity.
Research and testing can be bleh! There’s a reason companies are paying billions of dollars on research and development...it works!
So start today with a baseline (starting point) and pay attention so you can track what’s really working and what isn’t.
Recap of what you can start doing immediately:
1.Assess your schedule to maximize your time available.
2. Determine the tools you adore.
3. Stalk the tool’s blog and twitter for hacks to improve usage of the tool.
4. Create a list of your money generating activities.
5. Create a hierarchy of your money generating activities.
6. Take action then assess [a basic excel spreadsheet or notebook will do].
Mo' Systems Mo' Money: April Income Report
Systems and processes have made my life run smooth with rich experiences. Sharing my income report from April.
When it comes to business systems, there's three groups of people:
1. What the hell are systems?
2. I'm making money, why should I care?
3. Systems are the holy grail!
You already know I roll with the third group. Systems and processes have made my life run smooth with rich experiences. Truly the good life from all aspects.
Quick breakdown of my life: mama to three dreamchasers whose social calendar and sports events puts any A-list celebrity to shame. Wife to Huni who needs 6 clean eating meals a day. CEO and Founder of Kimber & Co. LLC , a hybrid business with coaching components online and consulting offline. Founder of Divas, Inc. nonprofit organization for girls and women.
You’re probably thinking, "girl, when do you sleep?" 8 hours minimum each night and naps when I can fit them in.
Despite all the hats I wear, I've mastered “having it together.” No missed appointments, no more forgetting to pick up a kid (am I the only one? sheesh), standing date night with Huni, quality relationships with my family and friends, great self care and thriving businesses.
With systems you have the time to do everything you want. So forget those that tell you, you can't be multi passionate and those that tell you to follow their blueprint. Your plan can be pink or neon orange just have a plan that feels good to you and is yielding positive results.
More time and more money, what more could a girl ask for? (Tweet able)
Here’s my April 2015 income and expenses. My businesses are streamlined and automated. This report is based on two full weeks of work. One week, I had surgery and was recovering. And another week, was a “I just need to rest my mind,” week.
*The income report will not include income from Divas, Inc. Nonprofits are an entirely different beast. The following is reported based on accrual accounting, income counted when the sale occurs, and expenses counted when the goods or services are received.
Online Earnings
Coaching & Consulting :
- Automate Your Biz: $4260 [2 clients]
- Chic Systems Mastery: $1100 [1 clients]
- Profit Strategy Sessions: $800 [2 clients]
- VIP Day: $1700 [1 client] - currently only offered to current/past clients
- Retainer: $1500 [3 clients] - only offered to current clients
Total Coaching & Consulting Earnings: $9360.00
Affiliate Earnings: $20.44 (Amazon Associates)
Total Online Earnings: $9380.44
Coaching & Consulting Expenses:
- Mailchimp: $20
- Leadpages: $37
- Libsyn: $20
- Hosting: $20
- Paypal Fees: $271.74
- Assistant: $600
- Coaching: $250
- Advertising: $100
- Satoriapp: $25
- Edgar: $50
- Internet: $65
- Zapier: $20
Total Expenses: $1478.74
Online Coaching & Consulting Net Earnings: $7901.70
Offline Consulting Earnings
Kimber & Co. Consulting:
- Mental Health: $5000 [1 contract]
- Business Consulting: $1000 [1 contract]
Total Consulting Earnings: $6000
Kimber & Co. Expenses:
- Travel: $400
- Meals and Entertainment: $88.47
- Insurance: $41.67
- Assistant: $200
Total Expenses: $730.14
Offline Consulting Net Earnings: $ 5269.86
*Total Net Earnings: $13,171.56
I pay annually for most tools (Contactually, Evernote Premium, Dropbox, Dollar Photo Club) that I use. It's cheaper.
Win for the month:
I took 10 days off and didn’t feel it financially. My mind and body was restored and I returned with immense clarity and creativity. I have truly automated my business.
Let go of the handle bars, live life, and watch your business grow...only with systems.
Systems vs. Tools
Every business needs systems and tools. With the new year, I see so many business owners throwing out the word systems but when I look closer they are only talking about tools.
Tools and systems are not synonymous.
Tools + productivity hack + strategy x repetition= system
Tools help to carry out systems and enhance a system in automating your business.
My favorite tools this week are asana and streak. The systems behind them are a bit strategic.
For example I use Asana to manage:
TDL
CRM
Podcast pitches
Project manager
So many things [working on a guide to share all the goodness]
In order to create a system look at what you do over and over. Make note of the steps that are needed and those that aren't. Assess where you can shave time, automate, and or outsource. Write it down and follow those steps from here on out. That is a system.
Here's an example of my Podcast system:
Research potential guest
Interact with potential guest casually and genuine
Send potential guest an email informing of the podcasts mission and invite them to be a guest.
Once the guest accepts the invitation, send guest an email explaining recording process and a link to podcast scheduler. [The scheduler is linked to my main calendars]
The scheduler sends the guest reminders before the interview date. If needed they are able to cancel and reschedule through the scheduler.
Edit the podcast
Record Intro
Upload Intro
Type up show notes [I use a template]
Create bit.ly links for the download url and show notes
Edit image [I use a template]
Create blog post for podcast show notes
The day before the podcast goes live I email the guest with the show notes, an image to share on their social media if they choose, pre written tweets about the show, and the download link.
This system is composed of a few moving parts and tools, but it's fool proof. There's a checklist to make sure everything gets done and in order.
The templates make it so I can easily pick up where I left off and not have to wonder if XYZ was completed. No time is wasted trying to figure out where to start, because I know it's done if the task below it is completed. The checklist also makes it possible to pass it off to my assistant if I don't have time to finish some tasks and the deadline is nearing. She knows exactly where to start and what to do.
Systems automate your business. Automation leads to more time which is freedom.