The Ultimate Productivity Hack For Freelance Marketers: The Pomodoro Technique

Who knew tomatoes and productivity had anything in common?

Let me explain.

If you’re like most freelance marketers, you probably have a love-hate relationship with productivity. On the one hand, you know that being productive is key for you as a busy freelance marketer. On the other hand, actually staying focused for a while without reaching for your phone can sometimes be challenging. That’s where the Pomodoro Technique comes in.

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management strategy that can help you break down big tasks into manageable chunks. The name comes from the Italian word for “tomato,” because it was originally developed using a kitchen timer shaped like a tomato. (Get it now?)

So how does it actually work?

1. First, choose a task that you want to work on. It could be writing ad copy, building a new Meta ad campaign, or writing a proposal for that new client you’ve been excited about. 

2. Put your phone on “Do Not Disturb”, turn off Slack, and close your email tab. There should be virtually no distractions during your Pomodoro work time. Set a timer for 25 minutes and work on that task until the timer goes off.

3. Once the timer goes off, take a five-minute break. Indulge on Instagram, TikTok, take a quick walk, or whatever distraction you want to enjoy during your well- earned, 5-minute break. 

4. From here, start the timer again, and repeat the process three times. Next thing you know, you’ve completed almost 2 hours of intense focused work! The same work that would have been otherwise disturbed by phone calls, the urge to scroll on TikTok, or replying to an email that definitely didn’t need an immediate response.

The first time I tried it, I couldn't believe how much I got done!

Options for timers

There are a few different timers I’ve experimented with. I initially started with an alarm on my phone, then moved to this epic Cozy Coffee Shop Lofi Pomodoro Mix.

In between, I also tried a Chrome Extension, but I finally settled with a really cool timer from Amazon. I like how it sits on my desk, and just makes me feel productive from the get-go. Start with one option, and see whichever works best for you!

"The first time I tried it, I couldn't believe how much I got done!"

Conclusion

For those who are juggling a full client roster, the Pomodoro technique is the perfect solution to increase productivity. Especially for busy freelance marketers that balance between their day job and freelance clients!

By focusing on one task at a time for 25 minutes and then taking regular breaks, you can minimize distractions and maximize results. Give it a try and let me know if it helped!