Trying to Earn More Money? Stop Wasting Your Time

Wow... really cuts to the heart. I am guilty of some of these "productive procrastinations" as well (including the beloved HN) and find that when I close all not-super-necessary tabs (even gmail), I can focus way more on the famous 20% stuff.

Yes, this 80/20 advice is nothing new, but the "case study" with his actual protege is a great way to really see it in action.

I also went down the business cards and letterhead as procrastination route. I probably wasted a month all told, dithering about selecting a logo, printing cards, agonising the details. I now have about a thousand of the things. I've changed logo, what I do, telephone number - everything. Not one of those business cards ever lead to anything meaningful. I think I'll use the cards to light fires in the winter.

Next time I print a business card it will just have my name in a plain black font in the middle of the card, with my email address and phone number. The design will take ten minutes.

The authors point is plain and clear : just concentrate on things that bring in money, or are 1 step removed from bringing in money. This is sound advice. I wouldn't agree about stopping blog posting though. Just make sure your blog posts are directly relevant to your business, and try and pick up some related blogs to cross-post with. Blogging carries a very high ROI if you're good at writing.

Even though this article is practically common sense advice, we all need some slapping every now and then.

Cross-posted comment on FMF:

This is really short-sighted advice...Ramit has only explained the first fraction of the story.

This is great advice, but only for the first few months of freelance work, when you're trying to get to the point where you're paying your bills. Beyond that, things like business cards, blogging, and networking events absolutely do matter. Back when I was freelancing, most of my clients said they hired me over some other guy because they read my blog and felt like they knew me. I met many clients and fellow entrepreneurs at those "worthless" networking events that are still bringing me clients, investors, and other valuable contacts today. And I still remember feeling embarrassed when people would ask me for a card and I would explain that I didn't have any on me.

Get out there and start working to make money, but if you actually want to build a business, you're going to have to spend some time doing stuff like this.

To link this thought to ryanwaggoners - it's not about whether to have a business card / whatever - it's just when it becomes important.

At the front end of a start-up, I agree it's procrastination, and in the very early stages of your business (especially if it's driven by your energy) anything more than the ten minute design is probably wasted.

BUT, eventually some of these things will pay dividends (as Ryan found with his blogging). My company had basic business cards for six years; then we decided it was a priority and invested. My business card now has a baby on it, and doesn't tell you what I do (business coaching).

Those people that get your 'plain black font' and put it in their pocket; they stop, examine my card, and start asking questions. It prompts a conversation. They remember who I am, and - now that I'm past start-up and don't need clients frantically - that's worth it.