5 ways I use templates in my business to save HOURS each week
These templates have not only doubled my productivity, but also save me a ton of time and energy!
I'm super excited to share with you 5 ways that I use templates in my business. I actually use them in even more ways than this, so let me know if you want me to do a part 2 post on this topic. But these templates are my top 5 most helpful templates for streamlining my workflow and optimizing my time.
They have helped me be more organized and efficient as I tackle my workload as an online business owner.
In this post, I'm going to give you 5 ways I use templates in my business to save HOURS each week.
Either keep reading or watch the video below:
Here are 5 ways I use templates in my business to save HOURS each week:
1) Emails
There are several emails I send out that are the same information, such as whenever I onboard a new client or request a testimonial. Instead of starting from scratch each time, I use create a template once to use over and over again.
I could just store the text of the template in a Google Doc or in Asana, but Gmail actually has a feature where it will store your email templates for you. This is an amazing feature because you literally only need to open one tool. When I'm ready to send that email, I just open Gmail. Compose an email, click on that template, add in personalization, and send! Easy peasy!
2) Calendar
I actually template my workday too! I have set time blocks as recurring events in my calendar and have my entire day and week laid out so that I know exactly what I need to be doing and when. This really helps me to keep my day on track and make sure that I'm getting everything done that I need to do. It also helps prevent me from switching between tasks too often or getting distracted and losing focus, and ultimately losing time.
Templating my workday increases my productivity and keeps me from having to spend time on trying to figure out what I'm supposed to be working on.
3) Systems/processes
I save all of my systems, processes, and workflows that I repeat in my project management software, Asana. I have so many templates saved in there and it saves me so much time. Every time I need to onboard a new client or begin a new project, I know exactly what to do and have a place to store everything, without having to start from scratch and remember all the steps.
This is probably the biggest game-changer when it comes to these templates and how much time they save me. My Asana system and process templates are my sanity savers.
I have found them so helpful that I actually put together a toolkit for you, called Asana Essentials. This toolkit provides you with all the foundational system templates you need for your business to help you save 10+ hours per week and really transform the way you and your team work. I've also included video walkthroughs of each template so you know exactly how to use them and Asana tutorials, tips, and tricks to ensure you actually use your new systems. If you need systems in your life so that you can take control of your business, click here to get started with the toolkit now! I can't wait to help you transform your business.
4) Documents
I keep templates for any documents that I regularly need to use (or may someday use) as well. For example, my business contracts and onboarding documents are saved as Google Doc templates for me to reuse over and over whenever I begin working with new clients.
You could also keep templates right within your virtual signing software, if you use one. I prefer to edit mine within Google Docs, though, but that's just a personal preference. CRMs are great for this as well.
5) Graphics
When I was regularly posting on Instagram, I had templates for my posts that I cycled through. This made content creation so much faster and easier. I had templates for each type of post - carousels, infographics, quotes, etc. And I had templates for my reel covers to keep them consistent and make the process easier.
Now, I also have templates for Pinterest graphics, graphics that I share in my IG stories to promote my YT videos, and I kind of also have templates for my YouTube thumbnails. These thumbnails change quite a bit, but I have a few different ways I like to add text, so usually I will use a template as a starting point. Sometimes it changes so much it looks nothing like the template, but other times there are repeating elements (like font, etc.). This just helps to save me time by giving me a starting point to work with.
