The Silent Avatar Speaks

Well.. that really is the question isn't it? I'm writing this post after reading a blog post by Eric Holmlund of Eric's Tips. Now I must confess, I haven't been reading much from Eric of late. He's been focused on The Next Internet Millionaire (which if you haven't checked it out make a point to go look). Anyway, his blog post about Twitter hit a nerve with me. You haven't heard of Twitter? Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing? Eric's blog post was about how much time is consumed by engaging in Twitter (and let's throw Facebook, and MySpace into the mix as well!) No doubt there are some real advocates of Internet marketing using these online social network sites to further their celebrity status, however they are a social (repeat social) networking sites - and they are highly addictive. Which all adds up to big time wasters. The thing is this... it doesn't take long before Internet marketers jump on the "increase your popularity status" bandwagon and advocate that we follow like sheep along the same path - all because they are doing it. And if they are doing it it must be right? Yes? Well.. I'm with Eric. While Twittering, and Super Poking friends on Facebook can be fun, it doesn't take much to while away a few hours, and those hours could be better spent focusing on your business. Just imagine investing a few extra hours a week (or a day in some cases), promoting your website, tweaking your sales copy, researching new ideas, educating yourself, (the list goes on), instead of killing what time you do have trying to drum up "friends" to add, or Super Poking them? Quite seriously, I don't think it will be too long before we see a software program to block access to these sites so we can be more productive! Just think of how many employees secretly log-in to Twitter or Facebook on the bosses time. How many kids are at their computers under the guise of doing "homework" when what they are really doing is joining networks, viewing hilarious videos, or checking out what their friends have sent them? And how many internet marketers who have been "told" to use these communities to promote their business get side-tracked and spend precious time being distracted from what their real reason for going there in the first place? Time and time again I read how people are time poor. I say "baloney!" Everyone has the same amount of time as everyone else. If your not getting done what you need to get done then have a critical look at where you are investing your focus. And that's what everyone needs who operates an online business. FOCUS! Just like when we are out doing the shopping and we see a huge variety of products it all becomes a little overwhelming. But here's the thing... If you walk into a store and you know what you want, right down to the brand, the color, size, type, etc you head straight for it and purchase it. That's focus! How do you keep focus in your business? 1. Write "To Do" lists and stick to them. It's not rocket science. It just works. Make it a New Year Resolution to write your list and work through it until you have everything done. It may not be an earth shattering tip, but I guarantee it's the one that will move you forward a lot quicker than Twittering and Super Poking your friends. Got a view on my post? Leave a comment.

Tags: Business Tips, Hot Off The Press //