The Importance of Getting Organized Before You Open For Business

Make getting organized your first priority.

Those of you who follow my site know that I firmly believe in writing good content. Content is key to any Online Business Success. A site that has well written content is a site that will be visited often. Not only will you have higher traffic volume but repeat visitors too.

Before you write that first sentence, let me tell you a little story about another priority that sometimes gets lost in our excitement.

As you may guess from past articles I love to try new things. I get really excited when a new challenge is placed before me.

By the way, here's a little note about following your passion and keeping your focus too.

Meeting New Challenges Can be Exciting

The great thing about being excited when a new challenge comes along is that you never get bored. Life is always exciting and fun and full of joy.

Well... okay... I have to admit some of those challenges are not all cotton candy and lolly pops. But the finishing of them feels so, so good.

Wouldn't you agree?

But what happens if you start a project and then another and then another? Suddenly you find yourself with projects lined across desk, table, computer, and flowing right along the floor.

Then one day someone asks you a question or you over hear a conversation and you know the answer. You just can't remember the exact words or where you wrote it down.

Or better yet, someone asks to see a sample of your work. They heard from a friend of a friend that you were one of the best in town.

So tell me...

Are you ready?

Do you have a portfolio?

Better be proficient in one art than a smatterer in a thousand -- Japanese proverb

I used to laugh when someone mentioned portfolio to me. I even secretly felt that those who put together a portfolio were snooty. I know, that really is a silly notion. And I don't feel that way now.

But does that mean I am organized and ready to pull out samples of my work to show the world?

I must admit... not really.

Oh I have lot's of work that I really am proud of but it tends to hide neatly somewhere in my computer's hard drive.

And on more than one occasion I've found myself thanking the powers that be for that neat little search option. Otherwise I would never find anything to even offer as a product.

The Law of Attraction in Action!

And just how successful do you think the Universe, God or the powers that really count think I want to be?

This world we live in is based on certain laws. And you have all heard, I'm sure, that the number one law we all live by is...The Law of Attraction.

So in my sporadic filing system what kind of success do you suppose I have attracted?

You guessed it.

My sales and successes have been sporadic in nature.

I don't know how you see it, but sporadic sales tend to make for skinny artists.

And so what is my advice to you today?

Before you write that first word of your next article, put some serious thought into getting organized.

Use Tools For Success And Getting Organized

What tools do you have, want or need for your success? The answer to that question depends on the kind of business you are planning to create. Every business model can have a different set of required tools.

Photographers - Photographers and digital artists need to have their art ready at hand to show, promote and sell. Do you have all of your photographs, digital art, ebooks etc. in handy folders and filing systems?

Are you prepared to answer the question, "May I see samples of your work?"

I've written an article titled How to Organize Your Photos and Art that goes into a little more detail on this subject. And the ideas for organizing your photos and art work equally well for written work too.

Affiliate Marketing - is another business model that can be combined with almost any model you choose for your business. Here are a few questions you might want to ask yourself:

• Who are your suppliers?
• How much is your commission?
• How often will you get paid?

I bring up affiliate marketing because of the need of a database or spread sheet type of organization. You may want to look into something like Google Docs. You can create a spreadsheet that is completely accessable for the endless lists you will be accumulating.

For PC owners I recommend The Affiliate Organizer. Doing a quick search in Google should reveal many tools for keeping yourself organized.

Whatever means you have chosen for your business model, getting organized has got to be your number one priority. Just try sitting down in front of the IRS with a shoe box full of receipts in your hand. You can imagine the responses you might receive.