What do you do if your media sales deadlines are unrealistic?

Unrealistic deadlines can be a major source of stress and frustration for media sales professionals. Whether you are dealing with a demanding client, a tight budget, or a complex campaign, you need to find ways to cope with the pressure and deliver quality results. In this article, we will share some tips on how to handle unrealistic media sales deadlines and avoid burnout.

1 Assess the situation

The first step is to assess the situation and determine why the deadline is unrealistic. Is it because of unrealistic expectations, poor planning, lack of resources, or unforeseen changes? Once you identify the root cause, you can communicate it clearly to your manager, client, or team and try to negotiate a more realistic timeline. You can also prioritize the most important tasks and focus on the value proposition of your media sales proposal.

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Andrew Lehane

Certified personal trainer, certified nutrition coach, behavior change specialist, Fitness/Mental Health, blogger, and Mindful Physique Master specializing in guiding overweight depressed men transform body & mind.
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Assess the Situation: Determine why the deadlines are unrealistic. Are they based on inaccurate projections, unrealistic client demands, or internal inefficiencies? *Assess the Situation: Determine why the deadlines are unrealistic. Are they based on inaccurate projections, unrealistic client demands, or internal inefficiencies? *By having a clear understanding of the situation, you can make informed decisions on how to address the issue effectively. Whether it requires renegotiating deadlines, reallocating resources, or implementing process improvements, assessing the situation provides valuable insights.

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2 Seek support

The second step is to seek support from your colleagues, mentors, or peers. You don't have to deal with unrealistic deadlines alone. You can ask for help, advice, or feedback from others who have faced similar challenges or have expertise in your field. You can also leverage your network and contacts to find solutions, resources, or opportunities that can help you meet your goals. You can also join online communities or forums where you can share your experiences and learn from others.

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3 Manage your time

The third step is to manage your time effectively and efficiently. You need to create a realistic schedule and stick to it. You need to set clear and specific goals and milestones and track your progress. You need to avoid distractions and procrastination and focus on the most urgent and important tasks. You need to delegate or outsource tasks that are not your core competencies or that can be done by others. You need to use tools and apps that can help you organize, automate, or streamline your work.

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Andrew Lehane

Certified personal trainer, certified nutrition coach, behavior change specialist, Fitness/Mental Health, blogger, and Mindful Physique Master specializing in guiding overweight depressed men transform body & mind.
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Identify inefficiencies in your sales and production processes. Streamlining workflows and improving coordination between teams can help meet deadlines more effectively.

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4 Manage your stress

The fourth step is to manage your stress and maintain your well-being. Unrealistic deadlines can take a toll on your physical, mental, and emotional health. You need to find ways to cope with the stress and prevent burnout. You need to take breaks and recharge your energy. You need to practice self-care and do activities that make you happy and relaxed. You need to eat well, sleep well, and exercise regularly. You need to seek professional help if you feel overwhelmed or depressed.

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5 Learn from the experience

The fifth step is to learn from the experience and improve your skills and performance. Unrealistic deadlines can be a learning opportunity and a challenge that can help you grow and develop. You need to reflect on what went well and what went wrong and how you can improve your media sales process, strategy, or techniques. You need to seek feedback and evaluation from your manager, client, or team and identify your strengths and weaknesses. You need to celebrate your achievements and reward yourself for your hard work.

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6 Plan ahead

The sixth step is to plan ahead and avoid unrealistic deadlines in the future. You need to be proactive and anticipate potential problems or changes that can affect your media sales deadlines. You need to communicate clearly and regularly with your manager, client, or team and set realistic and mutually agreed expectations and objectives. You need to build trust and rapport with your stakeholders and manage their expectations and satisfaction. You need to be flexible and adaptable and ready to adjust your media sales plan or approach if needed.

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Greg Morey

I connect Local Broadcast Television to the new Video Ecosystem.
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Understand the "WHY?" From my experience in Media, unrealistic Deadlines are a function of heavy human process built for worst case scenarios involving robust sales periods. When that process matters in 2 months of the year, how unrealistic is it? That's the very first place to consider innovation for the customer's benefit. Automation doesn't have to be holistic - start small with the post-sale process and work towards an "Always open 24/7/365 for business" mindset. Would add - a performance incentive model based on go-forward savings over-communicated up and down liberally, helps drive change. Just my 2 cents...

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Dan Prudhomme

Segments defined, sales optimized | VP, Digital Sales | Helping businesses master target marketing & leverage advanced digital strategies | 8 figures driven | Follow for audience insights, leadership, & scalable sales
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Start by assessing the current workload and deadline expectations against the available resources and capabilities. Clearly outline the potential challenges and risks associated with meeting the deadlines and propose realistic alternatives or adjustments to the plan. Emphasize the importance of quality over speed and advocate for a balanced approach that considers both the urgency of the deadlines and the need for thorough planning and execution. Collaborate with stakeholders to prioritize tasks, streamline processes, and allocate resources more effectively to meet the deadlines without compromising the quality of work.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Andrew Lehane

Certified personal trainer, certified nutrition coach, behavior change specialist, Fitness/Mental Health, blogger, and Mindful Physique Master specializing in guiding overweight depressed men transform body & mind.
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After returning from Charleston, West Virginia, where I operated my own boutique studio, to Lexington Ky, I faced numerous challenges. Amidst difficulties stemming from my past business and personal relationships, I had to recalibrate my approach. I took stock of my journey, reevaluated my priorities, and realigned my focus on what truly brought me fulfillment: serving my clients and contributing positively to the fitness industry. By embracing transparency, setting realistic expectations, and prioritizing client satisfaction, I navigated through the obstacles and emerged stronger, driven by a renewed sense of purpose and passion for what I do.

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What do you do if your media sales deadlines are unrealistic?

1

2

3

4

5

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7

1 Assess the situation

2 Seek support

3 Manage your time

4 Manage your stress

5 Learn from the experience

6 Plan ahead

7 Here’s what else to consider

Media Sales

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What do you do if your media sales deadlines are unrealistic?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess the situation

2 Seek support

3 Manage your time

4 Manage your stress

5 Learn from the experience

6 Plan ahead

7 Here’s what else to consider

Media Sales

Rate this article

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