Five seconds are left on the game clock; just enough time to run one winning play. Your big man sets a screen on the top of the key drawing the opposing team’s big man outside the rim. Your point guard rolls and drives down the strong side of the court.
The defense collapses and opens up a driving lane on the weak side. The point guard stops, gathers his shot, and goes up. He’s looking for the cutter from the weak side baseline…
You.
Instead of cutting to the basket, you’re standing frozen in time behind the three-point line. The point guard fires the ball in your direction. You barely catch the ball. By the time you gather for your shot, the buzzer sounds.
Your team loses by one point. The locker room scene can’t be pretty.
“Why didn’t you cut when I rolled? That was the play.”
You couldn’t tell the point guard that you were distracted when the jumbotron showed Taylor Swift.
You don’t have to be a basketball nerd to understand that distractions can lead to costly mistakes and blown opportunities.
That also applies to SEO.
SEO: The Not-So-Secret Weapon For Online Success
Like basketball, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a skill.
SEO is a process that utilizes various tools to help your website get found online. An SEO toolbox includes keyword research, backlinking, content writing, video marketing, and technical audits, to name a few.
Knowing what tools to use and their “when’s,” “how’s,” and “why’s” are crucial to developing an effective SEO strategy that consistently delivers results.
The harsh truth is that everyone knows them. SEO is the not-so-secret weapon for getting discovered online.
Every SEO practitioner knows about keyword research, backlinking, content writing, video marketing, technical SEO… and then some.
Success in SEO comes down to how these tools are implemented in a digital marketing strategy…
And focus.
What Are Digital Distractions And How Do They Affect Focus and Productivity?
Digital distractions are interruptions caused by digital devices and platforms. They cause you to divert attention from important tasks and result in the loss of productivity.
What digital distractions are we talking about?
- Social media
- YouTube
- Streaming services
- Email alerts
- Chat messages
- Text messages
- Google Alerts
Here’s a scenario content writers can relate to.
The introductory paragraph is crucial and is likely the most challenging part to write. If you can’t hook the reader with the first sentence, he’ll click out. Meanwhile, the coffee has gotten cold and the screen remains blank.
“Maybe watching a ‘Friends’ rerun or a quick check on my Facebook feed can clear my mind.”
Before you know it, you’re watching Season 8 of “Friends” or arguing with a Facebook friend on whether toilet paper should be hung over or under the roll.
You’ve just lost productive time because you were digitally distracted.
The workplace can also become a source of digital distractions.
If you’re a freelancer, telecommuter, or remote worker, you comply with online workflow processes. These workflows include apps that manage communication among team members.
Seeing Skype or Slack frequently blinking with messages and getting email alerts every few minutes can throw off your concentration. Some messages are from team members inquiring about each other’s lunch.
You’re thinking:
“Nothing important. Might as well close the app so I can focus on keyword research.”
If you close Skype, you might miss important messages. Your supervisor may also reprimand you for not following the workflow process.
What can you do?
6 Tips On How To Overcome Digital Distractions While Managing SEO Projects
Whether you’re working in a brick-and-mortar office or at home, digital distractions are everywhere and only a click away.
It’s tempting to check your Facebook status or to take a quick peek at your mobile phone messages. The problem is engagement. Once you see something interesting, you’re locked in. Your attention has been diverted from work to leisure.
SEO is time-sensitive. You must meet timelines for writing, submitting, and posting content.
SEO processes are connected. Writers need keywords. Content has to be screened for plagiarism, grammar, and quality of links. SEO specialists have to check images and alt tags.
When you’re managing SEO projects, digital distractions are costly. You can’t afford to have them.
Here are six helpful tips on overcoming digital distractions in the workplace.
1. Create a Dedicated Workspace
As the saying goes, “A cluttered space is a cluttered mind.”
A dedicated workspace will weed out distractions and boost productivity whether you’re working at a traditional 9-to-5 office or home.
- Leave your mobile phone in your locker or another room.
- Designate a “for work only” PC without access to unauthorized websites.
- Enable the “Do Not Disturb” feature in the messaging apps.
- Remove unnecessary digital devices in the area such as portable gaming consoles, laptops, notebooks, and television sets.
If working with music helps you focus better, consider going old school. Install a turntable and play vinyl records instead of using streaming services.
2. Use Focus Blocks
Focus blocks are hours that are closed out or dedicated for work. “Focus” because during those closed hours you cannot be distracted.
The principle behind focus blocks is based on the Ultradian Rhythm theory which states that our mind and body function cyclically, not linear as previously thought.
According to Ultradian Rhythm, we can maintain 100% focus for 90 to 120 minutes.
Here’s how you can apply focus blocks when managing SEO projects.
- Identify Three SEO Tasks. Select the tasks based on importance. For example: keyword research, topic research, and preparation of content writing guidelines.
- Allocate 90 minutes per Task. If you can continue for 120 minutes, go for it! Be realistic with your capabilities. Don’t push your limits if it will compromise work quality.
If you didn’t finish the task within the allotted time, you can continue on the next focus block or the following day.
What do you do after each focus block?
3. Schedule Work Breaks
After you complete a focus block, take a 30-minute break and get the three R’s: Rest, Recharge, and Reset.
You can use the 30-minute break to:
- Check your mobile phone messages.
- Return calls.
- Check your email.
- Check your app messages.
- Check your social media pages.
- Check the latest sports box scores.
- Stream a few videos.
Better yet, take a 15-minute nap, have lunch, exercise, or have a relaxing cup of freshly brewed coffee.
4. Establish Work Hours
The Ultradian Rhythm theory also states that our hours of productivity differ. Some people are more productive in the daytime while others are more productive at night.
What’s yours?
It’s easier to choose your work hours when you’re working from home. If you’re working in a traditional office, chances are your work hours are fixed.
Some companies like Google, Microsoft, and Apple allow employees to choose their work hours. Check with the company’s HR department if there’s a policy for flexible working arrangements.
If you’re working with a remote team, schedule a time or day in the week when you can discuss work-related matters.
For example, Monday mornings can be used to discuss important tasks for the week and Friday afternoons can be scheduled for catch-up sessions.
Team sessions are great for addressing ongoing problems, assisting others, and ensuring everyone’s on schedule with their SEO assignments.
Be mindful of time zone differentials!
If you have remote workers who work in time zones with 12-hour differentials, you might have to schedule late-night or early-morning meetings.
5. Propose a Messaging System
Content writers are like light sleepers who can be awakened by a flicker of light. Once they’re awake, they can’t go back to sleep.
Some content writers are so sensitive to distraction that a flickering Skype alert can thrust an idea into a black hole. There’s no going back and an entire workday is ruined.
Communication is an essential part of work. Some clients or managers design workflows that keep a messaging app open throughout work hours.
If an SEO team is composed of multiple talents, the app could be flashing like a float on a Disney nighttime parade.
- “Can you look for a more recent source for your external link?”
- “Remember… search intent is essential. Don’t beat around the bush.”
- “Guys, please avoid using images with watermarks. If you’re using images that might be copyrighted, always hyperlink the source.”
- “Keep your Alt Text descriptive but short.”
- “Incorporating pop culture is a great way to avoid getting flagged for posting AI-generated content.”
Can you relate?
If you’re bothered by the constant messages, talk to your client, team, or supervisor. Propose a messaging system whereby you’ll turn off the app but assure everyone you’ll check their messages during specific hours of the day.
Turn on the “Do Not Disturb” notification and Include a message in your app profile:
“I’m presently busy with work. However, I’ll read your messages at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:30 pm. If it’s urgent, please message me on Messenger. Thank you!”
6. Outsource Tasks
Another way to overcome digital distractions is to take a page out of the Tim Ferriss playbook and hire a virtual assistant.
Ferriss was working 14-hour days but was stressed out and couldn’t get things done. He hired a virtual assistant to whom he outsourced tasks such as email filtering, appointment setting, and calendar management.
You might want to consider hiring virtual assistants to handle your social media pages, customer service, and email while you’re managing SEO projects.
A virtual assistant won’t break your budget because you pay them per productive hour. If you hire a VA from the Philippines, the hourly rate can range from $3.50 to $7.00.
If you set a 10-hour weekly schedule, you’ll only pay the VA $35 to $70 per week or $140 to $280 monthly. You can’t hire a full-time employee (FTE) at those rates!
You can easily recover the cost of the VA because you’ll become more productive.
Conclusion
Once you’ve drawn up an SEO game plan, you must implement the strategies and monitor the results. If you take your eyes off the prize, someone else will claim the opportunity.
In SEO, you’ll work with digital, online tools for keyword research, spelling and grammar checks, editing, and backlinking. You may be tempted to check personal social media, use streaming services, or update your emails.
When you can’t get the creative juices flowing and are stressed, discipline won’t be enough to keep temptation at bay. You need to implement protocols that make it impossible to give in to digital distractions and help maintain focus on your SEO tasks.
One of these protocols is to outsource SEO to a professional digital ad agency.
We’ll manage your SEO and deliver the desired results while you focus on the daily needs of your business.
