Here is a brief outline of a day in the life of one of Target Market Media’s publishers. 

• 6-7 a.m. Go for daily run.
• 7-8 a.m. Review emails and list of tasks for the day. Send follow-up emails to a few pending sales.
• 8-9 a.m. Participate in a publisher conference call. Pick up new sales tips and discuss recent challenges with publishers. Share ideas that help grow the businesses of your fellow publishers.
• 9-10 a.m. Personal appointment.
• 10:30-11 a.m. Drive to first sales appointment. Discuss marketing options for a local business. Set a date for a follow-up on a decision. Send a proposal and contract to the decision maker with a summary of the meeting.
• 11:30 a.m. Drop by a few businesses near your meeting and leave some information for the decision maker with a brief handwritten note.
• 12-1 p.m. Attend an association luncheon. Catch up with a few professionals you’ve met and introduce yourself to a few more. Add all the new contacts to your CRM and schedule an one-on-one lunch with someone interested in learning more.
• 1-2 p.m. Personal appointment.
• 2-4 p.m. Attend your cover story photo shoot. Discuss future marketing opportunities and get nominations for future features.
• 4-5 p.m. Personal appointment.
• 5-6 p.m. Attend an association happy hour. Catch up with a referral source you met at a previous event. Find out what’s new with them and thank them for the business. Tell them about some new sponsorships you’ve come up with and get their input. Schedule an one-on-one meeting for next week to discuss further.
• 8 p.m. Review list of tasks for the next day.

For a publisher every day can be different. From photo shoots, luncheons and happy hours to sales appointments, cold calling and customer service, a publisher will never want for variety.

The biggest key to success for anyone in business for themselves is to create a calendar of tasks and appointments and to stick to it.

We have found that publishers who block out their time – business and personal – have found more success than those who enter each day without a plan.

This is true for any business owner. Fill  your calendar. Make it work for you. If you need an hour after lunch to go for a walk; schedule it. If you like to meet up with some friends for happy hour once a week; schedule it. If you need to drop off the kids at school or go to a soccer game; schedule it.

By accounting for personal time, you’ll be able to create a balanced schedule that you can stick to. Be realistic when setting out your calendar. Block out time for the things you need to do and the things you want to do. You will be more likely to stick to your calendar if you follow this rule.

By going into business for yourself, you will have the flexibility of being your own boss and setting your own hours. This is the greatest benefit and the most dangerous benefit. Those who know how to manage their time find success and the personal freedom to enjoy their life. Are you one of those people?