Writers tend to like the freedom to write what they want, when they want. This model might work out well enough for best-selling authors with a number of prize winning books and articles under their belts, but it can spell disaster for bloggers who work in affiliate sales.
As most bloggers already know, a lot goes on behind the scene of a well-crafted blog post. There is research to be done, photos to be taken and products to be reviewed, and that is just the beginning of the process. Starting any one of these processes on the day you plan to publish a post is one of the easiest ways to wreck your own chances of success. Here are the factors to consider when first crafting a schedule:
- The number of blogs you intend to post per month
- How many of those blogs will include an affiliate link
- How many of those blogs will cover other topics (These should fall in line with the overall theme of your blog.)
- The number of email newsletters that will be sent out
- The number of social media posts and the networks to which they will be posted
You should have a general idea of how much time it takes to actually sit down and write each one of the blog posts that you intend to write. Carving out time on specific days is a start, but you need to add more to your schedule. Research needs its own dedicated time as does marketing, networking and crafting email newsletters. Product reviews can take a little longer than other posts, and taking extra time is actually preferable in order to provide the most valuable content possible.
Like in any other business, a schedule is a crucial tool for keeping operations on track and on task. Running an affiliate sales business from home might seem like all pajama pants and coffee breaks at first, but without a careful and flexible schedule, it is unlikely that any true success will be found.
Joe Gebbia, Nathan Blecharczyk and Brian Chesky realized there was a gaping hole in the traveling experience — the human experience. The trio had an intuitive understanding of just how wonderful it could be to bring strangers together and provide a sense of belonging for both the host and the visitor, but what they weren’t sure of was how to convince people to open their homes.
Currently worth about $10 billion, Airbnb has had its fair share of critics, mainly hotel lobbyists who insist that the risk of danger and unsanitary conditions is far greater to Airbnb users. The founders are not worried, though. Instead, they believe that the lobbyists are simply putting up a fight against what is inevitable — an overhaul of the traveling and accommodations industry that will leave travelers more fulfilled than ever before.
But, what about the businesses that are lacking a purpose? These businesses might have experienced nominal success at first; however, without a purpose to help support and shape the goals of the business, success can quickly screech to a halt. Some less-experienced business owners might write the business off as a loss and call it a day, but there is still hope. Although not ideal, one can bring purpose into the business even after it has already begun operations.
A business is only as successful as the people behind it. What are the owner’s talents and perspectives that only he or she can provide? What are the strengths of the top workers?
Target is a great example of successfully implemented corporate branding. Across the store, television ads and catalogs, the bullseye emblem and the color red is used heavily. Workers in the store wear red shirts–even the buggies are red. Now, frequent shoppers only have to see the symbol or someone wearing a red shirt to perhaps be reminded of an item they need to buy or prescription that needs to be filled. Although the store sells items from thousands of different companies and manufacturers, heavy branding has given the store a strong sense of identity.
It can be challenging to market and sell various products and services under the umbrella of one company, but corporate branding allows companies to be both diverse and consistent at the same time. It is important that a company choose branding that is effective and recognizable, otherwise widespread brand recognition will not be possible. Smart businesses are thoughtful with their branding strategy. If you are unsure if your company has the identification needed to compete in your market, it’s time to get help.
When it comes to business, homework is an entirely different ball game. Rather than being assigned a set of problems to bash through, entrepreneurs create their own set of business-related questions and problems that need to be solved. Finding the solution to these problems can help prevent dangerous holes and cracks in the foundation of a business.
Expansion is naturally the next step when a business has reached its maximum potential. While some entrepreneurs are content to settle at this peak, other more-goal oriented people understand that there are higher peaks hidden behind the clouds.
Don’t just slash unnecessary costs, avoid them in the first place. Before the ball starts rolling, you’ll need a budget for your expenses. After crafting the expense budget, go back with a red pen and take out anything that is not truly necessary for your business’s success.
As long as it still works, a used printer is still a perfect choice. If you don’t already have all of the necessary office equipment, purchasing a printer, computer or even furniture can quickly add up. Avoid the markup on brand new items and search around for secondhand items that are still in good working condition. When revenue picks up and your budget expands, you can decide if new office equipment is necessary.
With all the “should,” there is not a lot of wiggle room for personal preferences, passions and growth. So, how exactly do you discover and define your purpose when the rest of the world is so intensely focused on what you should be doing at various stages of your life? Well, it actually comes down to another kind of “should” — what you think you should be doing.
this point in your life. Go ahead and include those things that are uncertainties to you. Once your list is complete, choose a different color pen, pencil or crayon (hey, I won’t tell you what to write with) and mark each item with the word “them” or “me.” If the “should” comes from them, from other people, maybe it is not something that you necessarily need to be doing with your life.