Nice post Miguel, do you think multitasking of copywriting projects is hazardous to time management?

Thanks for the tips… really useful…

@Zaheen

Not hazardous per se, but I find it that when I try to multitask my copywriting projects, the quality of my work decreases and needs a re-write almost every time – The easiest way to tell is by the response the copy piece generates.

Nice post! The multitasking of different writing projects is interesting. I have mixed opinions. I’d say more often than not, the mixing and hopping around between projects does not bode well for the end product. I find momentum is key.

But, it can be beneficial when you have a writing block. Sometimes changing focus can help regain creativity for a previous project.

As copywriters, it is definitely important that we know our productive times of day. It is a huge waste of time to fight the “unproductiveness”. It’s better to walk away and return to writing in a productive state of mind.

I think another point needs to be considered:
One should allocate a time to write before other doing anything else.
I’m not a morning person, but morning is my time to write as I begin my day with it before my mind flies away toward other issues coming my way in the course of day-to-day routine work.

No doubt about it, you have to create a workable schedule for yourself, otherwise nothing gets done. As for me, juices run best in the mornings. Everyone’s different.

I’ve found that not only are there certain times that lead to productivity (or lack thereof!) but places, as well.

For instance, I often need to leave my home in order to focus on a particularly intense project. There are so many distractions in-home that don’t exist outside – wandering into the kitchen to get a snack, getting “just one more load” of laundry done, or reorganizing my home office. Oftentimes, I’ll head over to the local public library armed with good music, headphones and my laptop and complete more in an hour than I would in an entire day at home.

Does anyone else have ideas on how to maintain focus and avoid distraction?

I hire a lot of writers and encourage them to work offsite, at hours that fit their brains. I get better work for the same money. I also encourage writers to leave voice mails on my office phone if they get a good idea on the road.

Nice post. I find it helps to divide my day/week u pinto writing time and business time.

It’s so easy to break off immediately the second someone emails to ask for a quote for example…then you get distracted and start answering emails etc…and before you know you’ve completely lost your focus.

So, set aside some time each day to deal with ongoing essential business tasks and that will make your writing time much more focused and productive.

I too like multitasking of different projects. A regular change in thoughts helps me to write fresh. But I would like to ask one thing. What you people do when you get really tired of working but still on job. I mean to say when your brain gets empty what you do to refresh it? Its difficult for me to get back my concentration. Can you give me some tips on this?

Interesting. I started off as a freelance copywriter without a hard and fast daily schedule. I soon found that a “normal” 8 to 5 working day with occasional after-hours and weekend work was the most efficient.

Hi Peter, when I get tired of working I usually stop doing my stuff. Relax, take a breath, go outside. Watch some trash tv program. Take some time just for yourself, and not for your work.

Any other advice?

Whatever time is the optimum for a person to write, they should always schedule in enough time for a break or two. I find this helpful when my brain starts to get weary. Even taking a few minutes to step away from the computer helps to clear the mind and gives you a fresh look at your writing, especially when it comes time for editing.