Relearning how to work
And a feature in Ask the Sprofessionals—Part One: Employee Reviews and Feedback
We’re about 1.5 months away from SCA Expo in Portland, which means it’s prime planning time for booths and marketing. It’s the beginning of new product announcements and a medley of announcements. But not to worry- last year, I wrote a piece on planning your marketing for Expo & here’s one for exporters. With the COVID-19 events, we’ll likely also see a drop in international attendance. DCN published a piece on how to be prepared as a cafe.
As for me, I’m very patiently trying to train Zoey to be by herself so she’ll be more comfortable when I start my series of 3 trips in April. I’ve certainly gotten *very* familiar with all the tress by me in a 3-block radius. Also, if you wanted to share any of my recent newsletter pieces, I’ve added them to my blog!
Relearning how to work
When I first started out working for myself, I had issues with working. I was in a studio apartment in Chicago. My desk was one foot from my bed. My counter and stool was across from my fridge. Naps and snacks were so tempting and it didn’t help that my natural inclination was to be a night owl.
In the beginning, I did what I do for every new endeavor: I researched the shit out of being an entrepreneur. The best productivity hacks. The best times to do your work. The best schedules to keep. How to successfully work from home. It took me a while, but I eventually learned to throw all of it out. All of the articles are click bait. Why? Because your life and circumstances are not going to be like someone else’s and what works for them might not work for you.
It took trial and error to figure out that I’m totally useless before 10 am, no matter how early I woke up and how early I went to bed. I also learned that my productivity falls off after about two hours (we’re not built to sit at a desk for eight hours straight anyway). I found myself writing profusely around 10 pm–2 am and eventually accepted that it was okay to do that.
The whole point of this is to say that when you’re in marketing, you have a big list of to-dos. And you might not have the freedom I do of leaving the desk whenever you want but you could certainly figure out when you work best. Maybe your weekly admin tasks are best done on a Friday when you have less creative brain space but can look at spreadsheets. Maybe 6 am is a terrible time for you and you shouldn’t be checking the company’s DMs and answering them.
So, my advice for productivity? Find what works for you. Read all the articles, try all the hacks out, but don’t be discouraged if any that are “supposed” to work don’t work for you. With the addition of Zoey who kind of keeps me on a schedule, I’ve been relearning my best work times in relation to her. It’s a constantly evolving learning experience but I don’t mind the challenge.
Ask the Sprofessionals—Part One: Employee Reviews and Feedback
[I was interviewed for this piece by RJ] In this series, industry experts sound off on issues around café policy, breaking down the ins and outs of how rules and systems affect retention.
www.baristamagazine.com • Share
Quick text updates & links on what's new on the networks
Facebook added: new option to convert 2D photos to 3D. It released a new version of Messenger, making it more streamlined & demoting bots. Because of these new changes, the company released a guide on best practices for messaging.
Twitter added: add to tweet feature (as close to editing a tweet as it’s going to get). It’s testing a new notification tag for identified misinformation & a stories-like feature called “Fleets” in Brazil.
Instagram is testing: video responses to IGTV & a “latest posts” feature for your feed.
Helpful links on how to improve your digital marketing
Copy-Testing Tools and A/B Testing Strategies to Improve Your Ad Game
Each word of your ad copy is important for the success of your campaigns! Boost your conversions with these copy-testing tools and Pro tips.
What Is Marketing Automation? – The Definitive Guide
Learn everything you need to know about marketing automation and how to use it to scale your business.
Local SEO Basics: What Is Local SEO?
A guide on local SEO and how to use it for your own local business.
Helpful links on how to improve your digital marketing
Quarantine Cooking: Finding Relief from Coronavirus Anxiety in the Kitchen
In China, millions of people living under lockdown are using the Internet to re-create the conviviality of sharing a meal.
How Coronavirus Could Impact the Global Supply Chain by Mid-March
[HBR-FREEMIUM] Supplies from China will dry up, slowing manufacturing and port activity worldwide.
Will the Millennial Aesthetic Ever End?
Investigating the undying millennial aesthetic. It crystallizes most clearly in realms associated with femininity (style, beauty, wellness, domesticity), and the design is soft in its colors and in its lines, curved and unthreatening.
An update from my container garden!
Two variegated hoyas in a pot!
What'd you think?
Feedback, questions, or fist bumps 👊 – send them my way by hitting the reply button. Also happy with the 👍 at the end. Or find me on the social networks @thejennchen.
If you'd like to work together on writing, photography, or marketing consulting, click through above.
By Jenn Chen
This newsletter has now moved to thejennchen.substack.com - please sign up there!
💭 Thoughts on digital marketing as they intersect at specialty coffee, social media, writing, photography & social issues.
📬 2x a month on Wednesdays
🔗 @thejennchen | https://jennchen.com
In order to unsubscribe, click here.
If you were forwarded this newsletter and you like it, you can subscribe here.
Powered by Revue
