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!
Hi Michelle,
Just found you thru twitter, and delighted. You are brilliant. So many great tips here. I’ve bookmarked the page, and added your URL to my ‘pay attention to and read their stuff’ on my iPad notes.
I use a timer to be productive…work for 50 minutes and take a break for 10, and this is a fabulous alternative…work for 10 minutes and play for 50. Kidding!! I love these suggestions. Look forward to following you. Lots of great insights from your readers too. Thanks to you all.
Pamela recently posted… Create Your Life
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Thanks, Pamela. A timer is a fantastic tool. :)
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… Three Quick & Easy Ways to Get More Traffic From Twitter
Like the 10 minute Idea! Working on learning more about marketing. Thanks for the Tip’s.
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
You’re welcome, Clemons. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… Stop Being Fuzzy. Move Foward. It Matters.
Twitter: hajraks
says:
I had to come by and see the post; 100 comments is hard work! :)
Commenting and guest posting has worked well for me. Though the guest posting is not a 10 minute thing; I like what it did for my blog and I think business blogs might have a lot of potential to tap from it.
About commenting; insightful comments are important. Just any comment make it a little difficult for others to take you in as a credible blogger!
Hajra recently posted… Will they call you over for a bloggers party?
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Definitely. Writing “great post” or something like that isn’t really the type of comments we want to make. :)
I tend to spend more time writing a guest post than I do when I’m writing for my own blog. I can’t do those in anywhere near 10 minutes. lol
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… Key to Success? Give More.
Twitter: dominiquegoh
says:
I like the idea #4 super fast comment/ like status update.. it really makes me feel ” energized doing that..
Dominique recently posted… SOC: Feeling like Heaven on Earth
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Me, too. Zoom!
Twitter: susanemroberts
says:
Hi Michelle. Very useful post, Thankyou for writing it. Very impressed with it taking 10 mins to write. I’ll be implementing some of these today!.
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
I type pretty fast (lots and lots of practice). And, focus is very powerful.
Yay for taking action fast. :)
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… How Can You Market Your Business on Pinterest?
Twitter: conscioushrvst
says:
Found you thanks to a Facebook post by E3Woman. Thanks so much for the inspiration that 10 minutes CAN be enough (key for a working mama of a two year old like me!). Working on establishing our new brand and blog, and often fighting the discouragement bug. This helps!
So pleased to “meet” you! Marisa of Conscious Harvest Technology & Communications Solutions
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Very cool. Social networking rocks. I’ve connected with so many wonderful people through Facebook and Twitter. Great to meet you, Marisa.
Mine are a bit past 2 years old now but I sure do remember those days. Working from home with my children around is one the reasons I’ve got lots of these little 10 minute ideas I can squeeze in when I have time. :)
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… Stretch Your Brain Today!
Twitter: parisandjoanne
says:
Is it just me, or does this make you want to speed-read the post? I agree you can make a lot of progress in 10 minutes, but first you have to have a good idea of what you are trying to accomplish. Otherwise, you’ll just be busy but not productive.
Joanne Eckton recently posted… Trust in Business: Simple Strategies for Building Trust
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
LOL Yes, I tend to speed read list posts, too.
Right, focus and priorities are key. No point in wasting even 10 minutes if we can better use that time strategically.
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… Pushing Your Prospects Buttons
Twitter: mommyrevenue
says:
Great post! I just shared this on Facebook… you could refer to most of these tips as “10 minute marketing” tactics. It’s important to utilize your time wisely online…and a few minutes here and there can really add up.
Rhonda recently posted… Affordable Webinar Service – Meet Cheap Review
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Thanks so much for sharing this post (and commenting), Rhonda.
Twitter: CarinaLindberg1
says:
Great post! I just found you today via twitter, which I joined only a couple of days ago, and you have already helped me alot. After reading only the first action in this post I wrote my first proper blog post in months.
Thank you very much for reminding me how easy it can be.
Carina
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Awesome! Sometimes it can be easy, just got to do it. :)
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… Key to Success? Give More.
Twitter: umbre11aevents
says:
I have a boutique events business that is doing ok on its own, but want to grow my business and just discovered this whole world of social media marketing. Loved this article and need to consolidate ideas on how I am going to incorporate this approach into my business.
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Hi Debra, it’s awesome how many options we’ve got to get the word out online and with social media. But absolutely, got to take some time to plan and incorporate it into the bigger picture of your business goals. :)
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… How to “Look Good” in Writing
Wonderful post, lots of helpful ideas to get more exposure. Thanks so much.