How Do You Manage Your Workload?
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How Do You Manage Your Workload?
Freelancers often juggle multiple projects, so mastering workload management is crucial. We've gathered insights from professionals, including a fractional SEO director and a marketing leader, on their best techniques. From implementing a time-blocking strategy to setting and maintaining clear expectations, explore these four proven methods to handle busy periods effectively.
- Implement Time-Blocking Strategy
- Organize With Asana Boards
- Increase Prices During High Demand
- Set and Maintain Clear Expectations
Implement Time-Blocking Strategy
One effective technique I’ve employed to manage my workload during busy periods is time-blocking. I allocate specific blocks of time to different tasks or projects, ensuring dedicated focus on each without interruptions. For instance, mornings are reserved for high-priority tasks like client reports or strategy development, while afternoons are set aside for meetings and correspondence. This method helps in maintaining productivity and reducing the overwhelm of multitasking. Additionally, using project management tools like ClickUp to create and manage task lists, set deadlines, and track progress helps in staying organized and ensuring all deliverables are met on time.
Organize With Asana Boards
I like to use the work-management tool, Asana, to manage multiple projects simultaneously and stay on track during busy periods. By creating detailed project boards, I can visually organize tasks, set priorities, and establish deadlines for each project. This structured approach minimizes the risk of overlooking tasks and enhances productivity by providing a clear roadmap and real-time updates on all ongoing projects.
Increase Prices During High Demand
When you're feeling too busy and exhausted, the best way is to increase prices. If the demand is there, customers will happily pay an increased price for a service they're happy with.
Set and Maintain Clear Expectations
I'm a longtime marketer who's spent a lot of time working as a freelancer—and also hired quite a few freelancers. Here's my biggest piece of advice: Set and maintain clear expectations. It can be easy to get overwhelmed sometimes—especially when you're working with multiple clients. While you may feel sheepish telling a client that something will take a long time, or saying no to a project, setting realistic expectations is always better than overpromising.
I find I put more pressure on myself than clients do, and they're usually fine with a delay or happy to offer me another project later. You know how much capacity you have. If you're going to exceed it, good communication is the best way to keep your clients happy while you keep yourself sane.
