Making Headway on a Slow Day: 9 Ways to Turn Down-Time into Productivity Time

By: Dina Giolitto, Wordfeeder.com

If you work from home, you know the kind of day I mean. You made
the calls. You revised those drafts. You sent out the emails.
Where is everybody!? As much as you used to relish a slow day
when you were corporate, it’s a little different when you’re
playing boss to yourself. Your mind gets to wandering. Should I
head out to the park? Should I hit the mall? Should I... file
for unemployment?

For a freelance writer, designer or web marketer who works from
home, a day without contact from the outside world can bring on
anything from sluggishness and inertia to a panic attack. Such
fun games the mind will play when the two of you are left alone
for long periods of time! But here’s a little secret about slow
days. They’re the perfect opportunity to catch up on everything
that went out of your head the minute the phone stopped ringing.

How do you remember what it is you were supposed to be doing
before it became unimportant? Think back to the last time you
were swamped! Chances are, your mind was in overdrive, firing
off ideas about how you could be improving your business. Were
you mulling over a couple of articles? Pipedreaming a new web
marketing strategy with an online buddy? Wishing you had
remembered to meta-tag every page of your website?

A slow day is your big chance to get cracking on those little
plans that will lead to big business for your company. Do you
make lists of things that never get accomplished? Today’s the
day you’ll be filling that goal notebook with checkmarks! Here
are some tips on how to make headway on a slow day.

1. Learn a new program. Remember last month when you
bought "HTML for Dummies" and then tossed it into your closet?
Now’s the time to drag that book out of hiding. Remember that
free software you installed along with your scanner? Take the
tutorial. A day that’s free of interruption is the perfect day
to pick up a few new technical pointers. Mastering some new
programs can save you a huge headache when push comes to shove
and you''re struggling with that last-minute project.

2. Organize your workspace. Isn’t it about time you
stopped using the floor as your file cabinet? And STOP depending
on your email for phone numbers; you''ll be sorry the day the
server goes down and you can''t get in touch with your biggest
client! Invest in some hanging file folders and a Rolodex--so
you’ll have easy access to contact information, project notes,
contracts and such. Stock up on printer cartridges and paper so
you don’t run out in the middle of an important project. Hang a
wall calendar and start using it. There are so many small things
you can do to get organized and increase your productivity!

3. Write an article. Experiencing freelancer frustration
with nowhere to vent? Had a recent eye-opener while doing work
for a client? Being an independent contractor means something
new every day. Whether it’s a challenge, a victory or a pitfall,
everything you come away with is a valuable lesson to be
learned. Why not share your knowledge with the world? There are
thousands of websites looking for content. Many give you a
byline, and some will even pay you! What a great way to make the
most of your experiences... and get your name out there in print.

4. Do some research. Ever have a conversation with a
colleague, and "not really know what they’re talking about?" Say
they mention ‘viral marketing’- well, you’ve heard the term,
sure, but what does it mean, really? "AdSense articles... what
is that?" you wonder. Down time is the perfect time to get
informed and updated! Do a Google search on all those mysterious
buzzwords you’ve been hearing. Go through your old emails and
catch up on reading. Surf around; bookmark some good sites.
You''ll be pleasantly surprised at what you learn in just a few
hours!

5. Join a Network. Web networking’s the way to go... use
your "free day" to make some new contacts and maybe even a few
friends. Participate in a forum discussion where you can share
your knowledge as well as learn from others! If you’re already
part of a network, take this time to reconnect with people who
might become future clients or business associates. When you
least expect it, they’ll come out of hiding with an exciting
work proposition... maybe even on your next "slow day!"

6. Update your website. There is nothing more
unprofessional than a website that’s only half-built, or not
up-to-date. Still have Christmas imagery bedecking your homepage
in March? Get rid of it! Thought about raising your hourly rate
but never got around to doing it? Now’s the time! Whether it’s
adding portfolio samples, improving the general design, adding
legalese or putting together a Testimonials page from satisfied
clients, chances are there’s something that can be done to
improve your website and increase your credibility!

7. Buy a present for your business. Got a stash of cash
in your PayPal account? Invest a little of it in the future of
your business. Join a freelance website with a good reputation.
Take a 2-day course in something you’ve always wanted to know
more about. Gifts that will broaden your professional horizons
and ultimately increase sales are money well spent!

8. Learn how to become a Website Affiliate. Build
business relationships, get exposure, share information and get
paid for it! Affiliate Programs are usually free to join, and
with a few clicks of the mouse, you can supplement your income
simply by driving traffic to other people’s websites. How’s that
for easy cash?

9. Create a Company Newsletter. If you don’t already have
one, downtime is your chance to build a contact list and put
together a company newsletter. With a little investigation
you''ll discover that many websites offer free trial periods
where you can learn to use their contact base and
newsletter-template software. And there are tons of sites on the
web that offer free articles that you can print in your
publication. Maybe you can even make use of those articles you
wrote the last time nothing was going on!

Now, what are you waiting for? You’ve only got half-a-slow-day
left to get going on these projects. Happy Freelancing!

Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. Use with permission.

Dina Giolitto, Wordfeeder.com:
Dina Giolitto is a New-Jersey based Copywriting Consultant with
nine years'' industry experience. Her current focus is web
content and web marketing for a multitude of products and
services although the bulk of her experience lies in retail for
big-name companies like Toys"R"Us. Visit
http://www.wordfeeder.com for rates and samples.