Friday, April 24, 2009
Bob Bly's schedule
Direct Marketing copywriter Bob Bly just sent out an email going over his average-day and some insights on getting things done when self employed.
I thought it was pretty valuable, so I'm posting it here.
Ron
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Dear Direct Response Letter Subscriber:
Subscriber AM recently wrote me:
"Hey Bob, your guru Michael Masterson has already provided us
with a description of his daily schedule. We would also be
interested in knowing how you schedule your day."
with a description of his daily schedule. We would also be
interested in knowing how you schedule your day."
I'm afraid my schedule is much less diverse and interesting than
Michael's, though perhaps in its own way instructive:
Michael's, though perhaps in its own way instructive:
I work 12 hours a day, 5 days a week, from 7am to 7pm EST Monday
through Friday.
through Friday.
That's the ideal schedule, anyway.
Of course, there are the occasional unavoidable interruptions.
So to make up for lost time, I normally (but not always) put in
2-4 hours on Saturday.
2-4 hours on Saturday.
Sundays I usually take off. And in really nice weather in the
spring, I may leave an hour or two early on Friday evening to
sit in the yard while the sun is still out and read the paper.
spring, I may leave an hour or two early on Friday evening to
sit in the yard while the sun is still out and read the paper.
Of course, I do spend some weekends "working" -- giving or
taking seminars.
taking seminars.
But those weekends are the exception, not the rule.
During the week, I devote the mornings to the tough work -
writing copy for my clients.
writing copy for my clients.
I continue writing client copy after lunch for a few hours,
until I lose steam.
until I lose steam.
The rest of my work day is spent on these tasks:
>> Managing my little Internet information marketing business,
CTC Publishing.
CTC Publishing.
>> Editing e-books written for CTC Publishing by my freelancers.
>> Writing my own books, articles, and columns.
>> Doing some blogging, social networking, and content
syndication to promote my Internet business.
syndication to promote my Internet business.
>> Routine correspondence with customers, readers, prospects,
clients, colleagues.
clients, colleagues.
>> Phone interviews with subject matter experts I must talk with
to gather information for writing projects.
to gather information for writing projects.
During my 12-hour stint in the office, I take a half hour off
for lunch.
for lunch.
Since I am along the entire day (we have a virtual office in
which my assistants work in their own homes), I like to get out
for lunch - for some fresh air and to see live people -- when I
can.
which my assistants work in their own homes), I like to get out
for lunch - for some fresh air and to see live people -- when I
can.
I usually eat lunch in a local coffee shop 3 days a week (the
other 2 days I pick up something from across the street or eat
the yogurt, oranges, and apples in my office fridge).
other 2 days I pick up something from across the street or eat
the yogurt, oranges, and apples in my office fridge).
My office is a 20-minute drive from my house (I don't work at
home), so that adds another 40 minutes to my 12-hour work day.
home), so that adds another 40 minutes to my 12-hour work day.
I use car time to listen to audio CDs. These include my own
audio programs, which I listen to as a quality check.
audio programs, which I listen to as a quality check.
They also include the many CD programs sent to me by marketers
who want me to promote their audio information products to my
list as an affiliate.
who want me to promote their audio information products to my
list as an affiliate.
So ... what can you take away from my work habits that can help
you be more productive?
you be more productive?
Here are 2 quick tips....
First, notice that I work a 12-hour day.
When a reporter asked the great Claude Hopkins why he earned
twice as much as any other copywriter of his day, he answered
that he worked twice as long.
twice as much as any other copywriter of his day, he answered
that he worked twice as long.
One key to super-productivity is simply to put your nose to the
grindstone, dedicate yourself to work, and get things done.
grindstone, dedicate yourself to work, and get things done.
Motivational speakers and coaches implore us to work smarter,
not harder.
not harder.
But most of the really successful people I know work smarter and
harder than their competitors.
harder than their competitors.
The other tip is to break your work day into one-hour increments
and assign a different task to each hour.
and assign a different task to each hour.
This is particularly useful on days when you can't seem to get
moving or motivated.
moving or motivated.
Just write out the schedule ... and do for the hour what it says
on the schedule.
on the schedule.
AM also asked me about hobbies and travel, but there isn't much
to tell here.
to tell here.
That's because another key to my productivity is that, for
better or worse, I don't indulge much in either: hobbies or
travel.
better or worse, I don't indulge much in either: hobbies or
travel.
I don't enjoy travel and would much rather be home.
As for hobbies, parenting a special needs child and working the
schedule I do leave little time for anything else.
schedule I do leave little time for anything else.
What I really love to do is write. So work is my "hobby."
I like to read, and I have a few minor interests (e.g., a
92-gallon aquarium).
92-gallon aquarium).
But I have no real major hobbies like collecting antiques or oil
painting.
painting.
I do have a big comic book collection dating back to the early
1960s, but my sons have taken it over.
1960s, but my sons have taken it over.
And I'm taking a writing course here locally at The Writing
Center in Englewood, NJ.
Center in Englewood, NJ.
A boring life?
Maybe to you.
But it suits me just fine, thanks.
Sincerely,
Bob Bly
P.S. If you want to know what I am doing currently, on a weekly
or daily basis, you can follow "Robertbly" on Twitter.
or daily basis, you can follow "Robertbly" on Twitter.
Just click on the link below and search the name Robertbly:
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