Get Organized for Success

Sigh…

I knew it was time to clean up my hard drive when I found myself signing up for the same newsletter twice because I really wanted the free eBooks being offered – and I couldn’t remember where I had saved them to the first time.

Everyone has a different way of organizing things on their computer and believe it or not, I actually had a system in place before I started this project. I keep everything under one file titled “Trish’s Documents” (stealthy, I know).  Then, within that file I have a number of other files pertaining to both personal and business matters – and each of them is broken down into various sub-files and so on…

So far, so good.

However, like many online entrepreneurs – I have a couple of live web sites (and ideas for several more), plus client projects, off-line business interests, hobbies, etc… Somewhere along the way I ended up stashing PLR articles, eCourses and a plethora of other information products wherever seemed logical at the time -  always with the intention of doing something with them… eventually.

Rather than completely re-inventing the wheel, I decided to stick with the same basic organization system with a few tweaks. Under “Trish’s Documents,” I created a new folder aptly named “MONETIZE THIS!” (Yes, in all caps as I thought yelling at myself would be a great call-to-action should my motivation fade). Sub-folders within that file include one for each of my main sites (WebCopyResults.com and Beyond-the-Bank.com), eBooks to Review, Products to Review, one for potential niche sites, eNewsletter ideas, and one for eBooks/reports I plan to write.

Once I got this in place, I went through each existing folder and moved all PLR articles and information products to the appropriate newly created one under “MONETIZE THIS!”

The benefit I gained from this exercise is threefold:

1. All my original files now contain ONLY projects that have been completed – while “MONETIZE THIS!” has all the stuff I still need to do. Going forward, moving files from one to the other will be the electronic equivalent of crossing an item off my “to-do” list. Motivating and gratifying!
2. I can now clearly see what I have to work with AND have it organized in a way that makes it easy to get started – rather than losing time searching for what I need.
3. This process was actually a great brainstorming activity – revisiting what I already have kicked up a lot of ideas that should keep me busy for quite a while.

Tomorrow, I’ll talk more about how this refined organization system also helped me get my arms around the various affiliate products and programs I represent.

Til Next Time,

PS Since setting up this revised system, I have rewritten/reworked 3 PLR articles into completely original pieces. When complete, I rename each PLR article by adding “- USED” at the end of the original title. That way, I can quickly see which articles within a pack have already been “handled.” This is really helpful because the new article I create looks nothing like the inspiration piece (or pieces) and it is easy to forget which ones I have already used.

If you like this tip, be sure to sign up for the newly renamed (and relaunched) WebCopyResults.com Tuesday Tips, which includes a Tip of the Week and a special Keyword Bonus, along with featured blog posts and new articles recently added to the site. (For those of you already signed up (and confirmed) – it should be in your in box around 9 am ET this morning).