Reading time: 4 – 6 minutes
I’m writing this from the airport at 7:03pm. My goal is to be done at 7:13pm and schedule this post. I’ve got 30 minutes until my plane boards and I can complete three small tasks to move my business forward. Here are some ideas:
1. Write a quick blog post and promote it.
Jot down some random thoughts about something helpful for your readers. Try a top ten list (like this one!) or top 5 list. You can polish it later and use it as an article, in your newsletter, for a podcast, in a video, etc. Take time to tweet your post and add it to your Facebook status. If you’re using Networked Blogs, it will tweet/update for you.
If you feel overwhelmed at the thought of posting in 10 minutes, check out Michele Scism’s 10 minute blog post ideas: part one and part two.
2. Write a few thank you cards or emails.
I’ve brought notecards with me this trip to send handwritten thank yous to a few of my clients who’ve been with me for years (some more than 5 years, and close to 10!) and who refer clients to me consistently. Only takes a few minutes but it’s nice to receive a thank you in the mail. If you don’t have thank you cards or aren’t a handwriting type person try Send Out Cards, which lets you pick a card to send and personalize it, and then they mail it snail mail for you. Or, send out a couple of quick emails or ecards.
3. Pick 2 or 3 blogs to comment on and leave a thoughtful comment.
Choose blogs that either you want to connect with and get known by the authors, or that reach your target market. Leave a comment to let them know you appreciate their content, or that it sparked ideas for you or helped you in some way.
4. Hop on Facebook and do a super fast like/comment spree and update your status.
In 10 minutes you can hit like and leave short comments on a lot of posts. Update your status, and your fan page status while you’re there.
5. Use HootSuite to schedule tweets and status updates for the next couple of days.
With HootSuite you can schedule your tweets and status updates and set what time you want them to post. Very cool way to stay visible on the social networks without being chained to your computer.
6. Send a short note to your email list recommending a great resource.
What have you found lately (especially free or low-cost) that would be helpful to your mailing list? Write up a quick review with how it’s saved you time, money, frustration or energy and share it with them. People love being connected to helpful tools and services.
7. Pick one person you’d like to get to know and send a short, professional email introducing yourself.
No need to ask for anything or having a specific project in mind. Just a note to let them know you appreciate their information, blog, articles, whatever you like, and send it.
8. Connect people.
Think of someone you know who could help someone else you know and introduce them to each other. In 10 minutes you could come up with several sets of people to connect.
9. Go answer questions on a niche forum.
There are always people looking for help on forums. Go find some that have questions you can answer and help with. Save those answers – you can re-purpose them into articles, blog posts, etc later.
10. Take action on something to build your business.
Find a blog post, article, ezine or something else you’ve got filed or bookmarked that had a great idea you meant to implement but kept forgetting. Implement it! Most little tweaks and action steps take very little time, we’ve just got to focus and get them done. Fast action!
And there you have it! It’s now 7:16pm which means this post took me 13 minutes to write. But to be fair, I stopped part way through to eat half a Hershey’s bar from the airport vending machine and was interrupted several times by kids wanting my iPod to play games on. So close enough to 10 minutes for me.
Your turn! Take 10 minutes and go implement one of these ideas, then come comment and tell us which you did. You’ll feel great when it’s done — positive action in our businesses always feels fantastic!
Michelle has been online since the late 80s, creating websites since the early 90s, and has coded thousands of web pages in that time. She's worked as a virtual assistant and website designer for small business owners including marketers, authors, coaches, crafters, and other solopreneuers.
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Great post! Marketing your business requires that you do a little something everyday. This is a great list of little things that you can do everyday that will distance you from the crowd.
Oh yeah, you said “Take 10 minutes and go implement one of these ideas, then come comment and tell us which you did. You’ll feel great when it’s done — positive action in our businesses always feels fantastic!” I just did – I responded to a blog post and it really does feel great!
Thanks again,
Eric
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
says:
Love it! Thanks, Eric.
Twitter: gjsuap
says:
Hey!! It’s great advice!!
Actually, I added a countdown clock to my computer in order to get my time for posting or commenting limited. So, I put 6 minutes countdown to do a post, and that way I didn’t think it for half hour, look for resources another 20 minutes, and procrastinate about writing in 10 minutes.
And up to now, I can do it!! Now, I will use it also for your recommendations.
Saludos.
Gonzalo.
Last blog ..Why so many Sally
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
says:
That’s an excellent idea. Tasks do seem to expand to however much time we allow ourselves to complete them so without some sort of goal/timer/countdown it’s easy to get off track and end up researching and procrastinating.
The #blog30 has been wonderful. I’ve made it a point to comment on at least 10 blogs and made at least 10 retweets during this period of time. It has increased my readership. I plan to continue this habit after the challenge is over.
I wish I could post in 10 minutes. I have a tendency to do and redo before I schedule a post. I need to break the “over do” habit and move one.
Great post! Thanks…
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
says:
That’s a great habit to keep. :)
I tend to be the same way and it’s one of those moments I have to push past to hit the “publish” button when I’ve only proofread once. I’m finally getting to the place where I’m exercising my “share it now” muscles – because the information and tips I have to share can only help others if I get them out there. One typo or a sentence that could have been phrased better will happen here and there. I’ve decided to approach them as something to laugh about and fix when I find them. I’m getting a lot more done this way.
Twitter: RobH_MidLifeOp
says:
Hi Michelle.
A great list. Blog 30 has helped me to understand the importance of this and your list here is a great summary – Tx
best
Rob
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
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Blog30 has been great in helping me focus on connecting with other small business bloggers, too. :)
I have been loving this group. It has helped me connect.
Twitter: melaniekissell
says:
Michelle ~
I’m implementing tip #3 right now! I’ve got to head out the door in just a few minutes to go to my daughter’s housewarming party. So before I shut down my computer and jump in the car, I’m taking a few minutes to read and comment on posts.
Because I have a harried life and a chaotic work schedule, I’ve honed the skill of doing my best work under pressure. :-) When I know I want or need to get something done in a hurry … I do!
Excellent, creative, and very helpful tips!
Melanie
Last blog ..Create Something Buzzworthy
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
says:
Great point–we do need to work on honing that “best work” under pressure. Thanks, Melanie.
So do you do these every day or once a week?
I am thinking that for me I would need to do these every day in order to really boost my business.
I have made some strides over the last few months but I know I could be doing more. Thank you for this I kind of fizzled out on the #blog30 but still try to keep involved by visiting blogs that are still going strong.
Last blog ..Developer-Designer Workflow Conference 2010
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
says:
Hi Joe, I do at least one every day. :) More would definitely be better. Most days I hit 3 or 4 of the items on this list. One of my goals this summer is to send out more thank you cards and emails both to clients and to fellow business owners to let them know how much I appreciate them. Small gestures can mean so much and building relationships is what helps us to reach more of the people we can help.
What simple, quick and easy ideas that over time will make a big difference – brill !
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
says:
Thanks, Sue!
Twitter: DanielleMcGaw
says:
Great post!
I know I always keep a notebook with me to brainstorm for ideas on things to blog about.
Last blog ..Time Management Tips for Making Use of Spare Minutes
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
says:
That’s a great tip. Ideas come to us at unexpected times, and keeping a notebook or something we can record things on is helpful. Since those great inspirations otherwise tend to get buried somewhere in the memory and are hard to recall later. Thanks!
Twitter: SheilaAtwood
says:
I really like this list. Often I am too short on time or too tire to take on a big project so this list is perfect. I just used Michelle’s 10 minute blog method an put a new blog post on one of my sites.
I think it is a matter of completing a cycle of action. What can I get done in 10 minutes. What you list does is make what I do effective. Thanks
Last blog ..Making Money On The Internet – Cell Phone Ads
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
says:
Yes – exactly. Something that can be completed! One thing completed is better than a dozen things started and not done. :)
What a super list! I bookmarked this page so I can pick one each time I have a spare moment. Thank you! If it weren’t past my bedtime and my eyes weren’t falling out, I’d do one right now. Nighty-night!
Last blog ..Affiliate Marketing–How to Do URL Forwarding at GoDaddy
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
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Thanks, Karen!
Taking advantage of those simple little things you can blast out in 10 minutes is great.
I find that is I get ultra focused in small spurts like that I can get a ton more done each day.
Great list!
Thanks for sharing!
Ely Delaney
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
says:
That’s an excellent way to word it, “ultra focused in small spurts” – key to getting things done quick.
WOW! This is a great post! Such simple stuff to do but stuff you never think of doing in 10 minutes. Thanks for bringing this to the forefront!
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
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Thanks, Andrew, glad you liked it.
Twitter: lisbethtanz
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This is a very helpful post, Michelle. I’m going to reference it at Savvy Freelance Writers. :)
Last blog ..Does Your Creativity Get in the way of Your Business Success
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
says:
Thanks for sharing it, Lisbeth.
What a great post this is, Michelle! Amazing what can be done in short bursts of time. This came at a great time as I’ll be traveling in the next day and will have quite a bit of time at the airport as international travel requires you to be check in earlier. I plan on taking material with me to start writing my next report. Thanks for the reminders.
Yvonne
Last blog ..The Role of Mindset in Starting Your Online Business
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
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Great plan, Yvonne. Airports can be a lot of “hurry up and wait” time.
Hi Michelle-
Have not used hootsuite and will check out that service. I may need more than 10 minutes still trying to cut down my blogging time which is getting better with the more blogs I write.
Last blog ..When was the last time you check your attitude at the door
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
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It does get easier the more we do it. I found #blog30 helped me tremendously in learning to focus faster so I could post faster. :)
HootSuite is one of my favorite tools for social networking.
Twitter: gjsuap
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Michelle:
I see a lot of comments here!! Great!! I will do as Karen said, bookmarking this page for review as needed. It’s very good advice
Thanks again!!
Last blog ..More on “Radical Careering”
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
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Thanks, Gonzalo.
Twitter: mjSchrader
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This is an insight filled post. 10 minutes to build a business without doing the hours of self-promotion. Today I am absorbing every way I can to push my business forward, to grow, to pay bills and build a life without the constant need to work to build the business. It seems a bit of broken do loop at the moment, but I pray for better tomorrow for writers need time to write their bit of prose and heart.
~ MJ Schrader
Last blog ..WordPress 30 Developer Features
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
says:
It can be challenging to find the time (and energy!) to really promote our businesses. I find if I can just squeeze in some of the smaller stuff here and there it builds on itself and helps me keep in touch with people who can refer me to others or who I can partner with to do promotions. Even a small step in the right direction is good. :) More small steps make the bigger steps easier.
This is a great inspirational post and a reminder, too. Thanks, Michelle!
~Tara
Last blog ..Teal Pearl Starfish Sea Crystal Mermaid Bookmark
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
says:
Thanks, Tara!
Great post! These are good ideas, and you’re a terrific writer too.
It’s good to have a reminder that most things we let overwhelm us don’t really take all that much time.
Lisa
Last blog ..Go Back to School to Upgrade and Enjoy your Talents
oh, and I’m about to try to write a blog post in 10 minutes. I’ve been taking WAAAY too long on them so far. Great challenge!!
Last blog ..Go Back to School to Upgrade and Enjoy your Talents
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
says:
You can do it! :)
And thank you for the comment, great to “see” you. I’m loving your site/newsletter/etc – someone who finally gives me permission to not have to super focus on one thing… :)
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
says:
If you like this post, I just wrote a follow up with 10 More Things You Can Do in 10 Minutes Each that you might like, too: http://michelleshaeffer.com/10-more-things-you-can-do-in-10-minutes-each-to-move-your-business-forward/2010/07/05
You did #2 to me, not too long ago. Very nice!!! ;-)
Last blog ..Still
It’s crazy how one simple action (within 10 minutes) can really skyrocket your business.
Just think: a simple phone call to a great customer could lead to a sale because of the right timing or connecting with them and putting them back into the fold.
Last blog ..Money Talks- The Top 7 Best Movies About Business -amp Money
Hello from Montana:
Loved the post and suggestions. I also really like the idea of small reports. I ordered the traffic one and it came through my paypal account but did not receive the download link. Perhaps you need to check the links. That happened to me last week.
Thanks and looking forward to sharing with you.
Last blog ..Two Faces of Social Media Users
Twitter: SmallBizMuse
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Hi Judy, I’ll go take a look and figure out what it’s doing. Thanks so much for letting me know. :) The site does save all downloads in your account at: http://michelleshaeffer.com/login
Thanks for so many great ideas! I love tips for using my time wisely because I have so darned much to do and there’s just me to do it. I have to be really productive and efficient, and it helps a lot to have supportive ideas like yours! :-)
I used my 10 minutes to write a blog post with an excerpt of my latest book on how to be happy all the time! Whew! I did it.
Evelyn
Last blog ..Book launch to benefit WTC Memorial on 9-11-10
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
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Awesome! It’s amazing what we can get done quickly when we challenge ourselves, isn’t it? :)
PS I thought I was following you already on twitter, and just clicked to do so — I checked out your Twitter page — guess what? I’m on a gluten free diet too! There seem to be more and more of us “out there” and would love to exchange tips with you any time.
Evelyn
PS if you haven’t seen dessert mixes by The Cravings Place, you must check it out. I find them at Whole Foods — brownies, quick breads, coffee cake… omg so good and they are dairy free, egg free, soy free etc too
Last blog ..Book launch to benefit WTC Memorial on 9-11-10
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
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There really are! We started a gluten free diet for my son several years back and it amazes me in just a couple of years how much more awareness there is out there, and how many more foods are available. Now three of us are on the gluten free diet (myself and both my boys) so it’s an interesting challenge.
I’ve only tried one of their mixes – just found in within the last month or so at our local store – and it was AWESOME. Much better than any of the other brownie mixes we’d tried. I’m glad to hear the others are just as yummy. I’ll have to watch for them. :) Our store keeps expanding it’s gluten free section (probably because I keep nearly buying it out and then emailing to thank them LOL) so maybe they’ll carry more soon. Last time they stocked the cereal the boys like I bought every box on the shelf. :)
Michelle,
Lot’s of good ideas. I’ll have to start using HootSuite more to my advantage. Scheduling updates is a great idea.
Chris
Last blog ..The Hardest of the 5S’s – Sustain
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
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HootSuite rocks – saves me a ton of time. :)
Thanks for commenting, Christian!
Last blog ..5 Tips to Help You Juggle Homeschooling and Working From Home
A great list and a nice reminder. Thanks, Michelle.
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
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You’re welcome!
Twitter: myrivendell
says:
Love this Post! I have come back to read it over a few times already and I’m about to do #5 this morning :) I challenged myself to attempt to write a blog later today when I will have some time while in an office waiting room. As I’m still fairly new at the blogging I love the idea of just working with 10 min or so block. Much less overwhelming then looking at a huge chasm of time to work in.
Keep Well
Bonnie
Last blog ..Pass the Happy
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
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Thanks, Bonnie. So glad this was helpful for you. I love the 10 minute thing too – just feels so much more “do-able” than bigger chunks of time.
This is an excellent list. I do many of these things as often as possible but the new twist in getting it down to 10 minutes. In 10 minute blocks, a few everyday, we can do some amazing things to make progress and move our business forward.
I took your challenge and before leaving a comment I set my ‘cool timer’ to 10 minutes and I managed to write 3 heartfelt thank you and appreciation cards. Thank you!! You just helped me to take action and move my busihess forward right this very minute! WooHoo!!
xoxo
Helen
Keep up the great work Michelle! You rock!
Last blog ..Overcome Distractions – Your Calendar Is A Great Resource
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
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It’s amazing what a difference a few minutes can make when we’re focused, isn’t it? Love that you took action on this! :)
Absolutely fantastic post – I love restricting the time because work does expand to fill the time.
I allow 20 mins per post, on average, so I sit on Tuesdays (blog day) and churn out 3 at a time. The batching really works otherwise it could take an hour per post………as you get sidetracked and check email, etc.
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Exactly, Marcia. When we challenge ourselves it’s amazing how much more productive we can be in a quicker time.
Last blog ..Are You Building Your List
Thank you Michelle for this fabulous information. Your posts and articles help me stay focused and on task. I just signed up with HootSuite & Feedjit, making the whole social networking scene a little less daunting! Much Appreciated. Keep up the great work.
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Hi Allison, glad it’s helpful! I find that the right tools (like Hootsuite) can really make social networking easier, quicker, and more productive.
Really helpful, realistically 10-minute tips, Michelle. I’m going to print this and keep it w/ me when I need a little productivity kick in the booty.
Last blog ..What am I thankful for
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
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Thanks, Denese. There’s 20 total and I’ll probably do a part 3 soon. Marketing (or anything, really) is so much easier when we can break it down into quicker actions. :)
Twitter: kids_exercise
says:
The one I need to work on soon is sending an email to my list recommending a product which would be helpful for them. I’m sending them relevant kids exercise content but I’ve been afraid of sending them too many “buy now” emails.
I need to get better in this area. Email marketing as an at home entrepreneur is way different than in a big corporation.