by Melodye Hunter
I’m an entrepreneur like you, I run a boutique marketing firm helping entrepreneurs create websites and online marketing campaigns, plus I have three children, a busy husband, older parents, and a dog. My schedule gets hectic!
I used to just have a never-ending stream of sticky notes, or just write on whatever random sheet of paper was on my desk. But I kept missing important dates and losing important phone numbers. The last straw was when I had to reset my password on my online banking three times in one day because I couldn’t remember the login…again.
I knew it was time to get my butt in gear and get organized. So for the last few years, I’ve really gotten my act together. I keep an agenda and I have my Google calendar all tricked out for maximum productivity, I also only use one notebook at a time.
Technology really helps with automating things and giving me reminders and I love it. I’m a techy girl, I create websites, and I love tech tools however I still find that I like a beautiful pen and a nice sheet of paper for planning. So I wanted to share a simple resource. These are the 3 sheets of paper that changed my biz.
1. The Password Keeper
I divide my personal password sheet into 4 Columns: Username, Password, URL, and Hints/Notes. Then I group common things together. So all my email addresses are together then money, online banking passwords, pay pal log in, merchant account info, etc…
Here are a few sections you may want to include with suggestions to get you started.
- Money: Online banking info, merchant account, pay pal log in
- Email: Mailchimp, Google, Yahoo, Hosted
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest
- Website: WordPress, Hosting Account
- Tools + Resources: Skype, Appointment Scheduler, Bit.ly
- Affiliate: Any programs and products you promote
- Essentials: Amazon(for me it is essential) The login to pay my kids lunch money, Shoe Dazzle
2. Lead Tracker
The second sheet is my Lead Tracker. I keep this little sheet on my desk and whenever someone inquires about my services I add them.
It includes a space for
- Lead Name
- Phone Number
- Referral Source
- Client Request
- Next Steps
It’s just a great way to organize your follow-up. Every week I print a new sheet and aim to close deals with everyone on the list or schedule them into my calendar for a follow-up email or call. Once you start using this tool would be clients will stop falling through the cracks.
3. My project planner
I design websites and online marketing campaigns so I’m often managing multiple client projects. I use Asana for online project management, but again I really like paper and pen to plan then I add it to Asana. My project planner is really basic. I have space for :
- Client contact info
- Project Scope, what we’re working on together
- A list of actionable tasks
- Space for notes and brainstorming
- Delegated Tasks and Items I’m waiting on
This makes it very easy to pass things off to a VA or your assistant to input into an online project management system and a neat way for you to organize and manage projects at a glance.
These 3 sheets of paper have helped me organize my business and save me tons of time each week.
2 Replies to “3 Sheets of Paper that Changed My Biz”
Geoff Livingston
I should totally do the password sheet. Great idea!
Mark Burdette
Cool article. I wanted to share with you my 3 tools that I use to stay on task and never forget a password. First, I use eWallet to manage and store my passwords. They have a desktop and iPhone app that stays synced in the cloud. Very convenient. Second, I use Highrise to manage my customers, prospects and vendors. Check it out at http://www.highrisehq.com. Lastly, to manage projects I use Basecamp.com. All come with desktop and iPhone apps which allow me to manage my to do’s from anywhere, anytime.
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