Time Management Tips for Working with your Marketing Pro

By Robby Slaughter

 Editor’s Note: Here is a guest post from my friend Robby Slaughter of Slaughter Development, who describes himself on Twitter (@RobbySlaughter) as ‘Troublemaker and productivity/workflow expert.’ He also hosts a series of seminars on productivity in Indianapolis.

There are two very good reasons you hired a marketing consultant to help promote your business: that person is an expert in marketing, and they actually have time to implement marketing campaigns. So how do you manage your time effectively to maximize your working relationship? Here are some tips for making your arrangement productive:

• Schedule and Stick to Meetings – You should be getting together in person or taking part in a dedicated phone call on a consistent basis. These meetings are the best time to bring up new ideas, not when inspiration strikes you at 4AM and you decide to dash off a text message. (Don’t do that.) Instead, come prepared with questions, ideas and assignments. Start and end on time. Make sure you’re focused on having a meaningful conversation, not just a todo list.
• Use Collaboration Software – It can be as simple as free tools like Google Docs or DropBox, or as fancy as a document management system.  Just avoid the endless barrage of emails and instead update the mutual, virtual whiteboard. That way, everyone can see project status without the frustration of interruptions.
• Give Positive and Negative Feedback  – Make sure that you are always ready to tell what you do like and what you don’t like. If all you offer is either praise or criticism, your words may fall on deaf ears. Provide a range!

Incorporate these suggestions into your routine, and you are sure to find your working relationship take off. Good luck!

Robby Slaughter is a productivity and workflow consultant based in Indianapolis, Indiana.