Ever feel like there's never enough time in the day? For the marketer juggling multiple tasks, time management is an ultimate life hack. It's the key to not just keeping up but also getting (and staying) ahead. It's about making the most of our 24 hours, ensuring we can hit deadlines, live our lives outside of work, and still have a minute to breathe.
We understand the struggles of solo marketers who are always in search of a balance between numerous responsibilities. That's where we came from - overworked marketing parties of one - tasked with keeping way too many plates spinning. The time management hacks we’ll dive into are a combination of what our team at North Of Eight uses to stay productive and stress-free, and some new tactics we are excited to try out. Many of these methods help us to work smarter, not harder, and to keep stress away, and we believe they can do the same for you.
Hacks to Prioritize Tasks
At North of Eight, prioritizing tasks is a constant struggle. It feels like every day brings new 'fires' and distractions. The following hacks can be used to help you juggle those last-minute tasks with the priorities you know you need to accomplish that day.
The Daily Top 3
Solo marketers often find themselves pulled in multiple directions, from creating campaigns to analyzing performance metrics. Daily Top 3 is your antidote to overwhelm. Pick three critical tasks that need your attention each morning, or even the night before. These are your non-negotiables for the day.
The Two Minute Rule
For the marketer who is always on the clock, the 2-minute rule is a game-changer. It’s about as straightforward as it gets: if something takes less than two minutes to do, just do it now. That email reply you're dreading? Send it. The dirty cup on your desk? Wash it. This rule keeps the small stuff from snowballing into a big, stressful mess, making your to-do list more manageable and less daunting.
The Eisenhower Matrix
The Eisenhower Matrix is a solo marketer’s best friend for sorting a mountain of tasks. Picture a simple grid: one side labeled "urgent," the other "important." First, tackle the tasks that are both urgent and important. Important but not urgent should be scheduled next. If the task is urgent but not so important, delegate if you can. If it’s neither of the two, consider dropping them. This way, you're always focusing on what truly matters, not just what's shouting loudest for your attention.
Our gal Clarisse uses a version of the Eisenhower Matrix by prioritizing her most difficult tasks earlier on in the day, and moving the less complex to-dos into her afternoon.
Efficient Time Management Techniques for Marketers
Our VP of Design, Matt, absolutely crushes the techniques in this section. I'm not kidding when I say I envy the way he is able to manage his time - so much so that I ordered myself a desk timer so I could give his tactics a try. Don't ask how it's going - I'm still working on making it a habit :)
Pomodoro Technique
Ever feel like your attention span is a goldfish? The Pomodoro Technique is here to help. Here's the deal: you work for 25 minutes straight, then take a 5-minute break. Rinse and repeat. After four rounds, take a longer break. These pauses are short, intense sprints for your marketer's brain, keeping you focused and preventing burnout. Plus, they are perfect for a quick stretch or a coffee refill. It’s one of the most simple time management hacks to keep your productivity on track without feeling overwhelmed.
Time Blocking
Imagine your day as a series of blocks, each dedicated to a specific task or type of work. That's time blocking. For the solo marketer, it might mean mornings for deep work like content creation and afternoons for client calls and emails. It’s similar to putting your day into compartments, making sure you give each task the attention it deserves without distractions.
Batching Tasks
Tired of bouncing back and forth between tasks? Try batching. It’s about grouping similar tasks together and knocking them out in one go. Batching similar tasks—like social media posting, email campaigns, or client outreach—can save you hours. It minimizes the mental shift between tasks, streamlining your work and freeing up time for bigger projects or a well-deserved break.
Reward Yourself
Kassie's go-to is a little treat. Example - if she's in the home-stretch of a behemoth project (like video editing), she'll keep her focus until the end by promising herself a little treat. Sometimes it's a Dr. Pepper, and other times it's something much simpler - like a trip to the restroom 😆 .
Hacks to Stay Organized
For the solo marketer, organization is key to staying on top of everything. If you’re not an organized person, don’t worry—organization is a skill that can be learned. Getting organized gives you the time for tasks that matter the most.
Keep Your Physical Space ✨ Clean
The best way to start organizing is to clean up your desk. Start with a clean workspace for a clear mind. If you work from home like we do, a messy house can also be distracting. In the last few months, I've made it a habit to clean my house every morning after the kids are off to school and daycare for the day. Taking the time to do this between 7am-7:30am helps keep me focused on what's in front of me - not the dishes piling up in the sink.
Keep your Digital Space 🧽 Clean
Tackle digital clutter next, because those unread emails and overdue tasks can be as distracting as physical mess. I have weekly task reminders to clean up my desktop and organize my files.
Stay On Top of Project Management
After cleaning up, start organizing your tasks. Tracking down your to-dos helps get things done faster. Try using simple apps for task management and scheduling. Many of the top dawgs in this space offer a robust FREE plan, like Asana and Trello. Here at North of Eight, we use a paid Trello plan to keep all our tasks and initiatives in order.
Key Takeaways for Time Management
For the solo marketer, mastering time can be manageable with the right hacks. The Eisenhower Matrix helps you sort your tasks, the 2-Minute Rule keeps small tasks manageable, and focusing on a Daily Top 3 keeps you on track. Techniques like Pomodoro, Time Blocking, and Batching streamline your workflow. Plus, a clean workspace and a well-organized task list can make all the difference. We have tested methods at North Of Eight and can assure you that implementing them will help you be more efficient and productive. Give these time management hacks a chance and see for yourself!