Laura Riley’s Post

Sadly, I'm a dinosaur when it comes to automation. I do write many of the same types of documents, so I rely on custom-built templates that I constantly work to refine. I need to do a lot of work in this area. :)

That's a good question. I guess my main tool is Excel spreadsheets. For every job fair we organize, we have a master spreadsheet. Each tab of the spreadsheet reflects each component of the job fair: strategy/goals, timeline, marketing activities, venue, food, budget, employers, volunteers, etc. We keep it on Google drive so our team can each update items in real time and see each other's updates. So similar to your writing, certain aspects are consistent across all events and then we adjust/adapt components depending on our job fair goals and target audience. One thing I do want more "automation" is employer engagement. I've been studying up on a CRM software called Nimble to help keep track of our communications with employers and the follow up needed. I've heard good reviews of Nimble. If anyone has experience with it, I'd love to hear your feedback. Thanks for your question, Laura! As always, I just love your insightful and thought-provoking posts.

Hi Laura My 'automation' would be more like 'consistent scheduling'! I have a daily spiritual practice that I start each day with at 7am and then 1k words of free writing, with exercise and micro-blocking of work throughout the day - lunch is regularly at 1-1.35pm - it sounds regimented (and it kinda is) but I always have room to be adaptable and flexible, depending on what each day may bring and if I'm working at home or some place else. 'The Writer's Chapbook' by George Plimpton is a great look at creatives and their daily working practices. Thanks for asking Laura and keep doing what you do! Cheers from Andi Jack :-))

So agree with you here. I think I use automation for social media writing the most. For each social account/client I have content categories I've selected ahead of time (like Tuesdays are for customer quotes, for example). Then I use Google calendar to get all my posts planned out in advance so I can work ahead as I'm able. Social media scheduling tools are a big help too 🙌

Thanks Laura Riley! Love hearing about good systems. My favorite new one, from Rebecca Halper is MIT: Most Important Thing. Strategy where your MIT can retain it's priority, even in the face of competing daily pressing priorities. Every day I focus on getting my one MIT done.

Laura Riley, thanks for the tag. How do I automate my work?.....Great question, and while I review my daily work effort, there are processes which are automated to some degree, such as email, budgeting, and schedules. The integration of these is more difficult to automate because adjustments to one has a direct impact to all of the others. Delay funding and work effort slows/stops. Delay material delivery and testing will not be able to be conducted on schedule. I could go on... I would only bore your audience. My main work effort in integrating all facets of the programs I work with is more of an over watch, plan, mitigate impacts, and alert project leads of risks to the project. Quick analysis of the ramifications of any change, no matter how slight, is a must. Developing recommended corrective actions resides in the "fast food" segment of life. I find it difficult to apply automation to these types of processes. Adaptive? This is not "when necessary" in my world, it is required. Great post, keep'em on a roll.

Automate everything possible! The goal is to free up time for what you are most passionate about, right? For example, I'll run numerous ads to see which convert higher, and set rules to automatically kill underperforming ads. Manually monitoring these processes would only allow me to work with a certain amount of clients, and I'd have to charge those clients more. For those that aren't quite comfortable with automation, try cutting your teeth on something small like FB posts or emails. You'll be amazed how much more you'll get done with the extra time!

Like yourself and Mike, I follow a similar format in most of my writing. It tends to usher the thought process naturally and helps a great deal. It's a technique that's always helped but would love to explore more on automation

Hi Riley! 🌻 I've yet to explore automation much. I find myself writing based on inspiration from what's going on around me and/or emotions I'm feeling at the time. I've written about work, parenting, writing, freelancing, illness, and time management (among other things). I find myself feeling strongly about a topic based on other content I see, issues I or my family and friends are dealing with, and the reflections those things bring about. I think that's what I love so much about this platform--I can write spontaneously OR with extensive planning and thought processes. Both are received well by this fabulous community! I will say, though, I AM trying to do more planned writing; building on ideas rather than just rolling out an impromptu thought. But being the wordy little birdie that I am, I'll never be able to cease the spontaneity! 😉 I'm looking forward to following this thread. Thanks for tagging me so I can be involved. 🌻