If you told people a generation or two ago that one day we’d be running entire businesses from the screens of small phones, they wouldn’t believe it. It might seem hard to believe even now, but it is possible. Here’s how to make it happen.
Don’t get distracted
Perhaps the greatest danger in trying to make a go of your business using your smartphone is a distraction. Games, notifications from your bank, messages from friends, emails from Mom, social media—the list is as long as the number of apps you’ve downloaded.
The answer? Get a separate work phone. Only load apps that relate to your business, and only sign in to email, message, or social media accounts that are business-related.
Keep things simple
You quite literally have hundreds of choices of apps that can help you with your small business. Even if you narrow that down to just the best ones, the list is still far too long to use them all. The more apps you have, the more potential for confusion.
Take some time to carefully consider what you need, what works most smoothly in your situation, and which apps integrate best with one another. Then choose only the ones that really work. If you start using one that is more annoying than helpful, cull it ruthlessly.
Get insurance
No, we don’t mean to buy an insurance policy, though you should have one of those. We simply mean being prepared for an emergency. Do you know where you could get an iPhone screen replacement this afternoon if you drop your phone? Having a resource on hand can help you keep your search for a repair location stress-free.
If possible, have a backup phone and always keep everything stored in the cloud so it’s simple to migrate to your backup. Keep an old-fashioned hard copy list of the crucial information you couldn’t do without if you can’t use your phone for a few hours.
Automate whatever you can
While you’re still growing, automation is your friend. Everything you automate is one less thing you have to remember to remember. It will take some time to set up automation in the beginning, but once you do, you save time in the end.
If you print promotional items like business stickers and other customized materials, find a way to set your reprint schedule on an automated schedule. This way, you don’t have to worry about placing your orders and worrying about when they will arrive. You can also automate your eCommerce process and the way you promote events.
Get voice dictation right
Your phone’s voice assistant can do a lot for you, but many people don’t know how to use theirs to full potential. You also have to take the time to train your voice assistant so you can dictate your emails quickly without worrying about a misunderstood word creating a serious social faux pas.
Work with your voice assistant until everything runs smoothly. Then be sure to learn all the tips and tricks so you’re getting the most out of your phone.
Consider a few helpful tools
Using your phone is great, but occasionally, it will be helpful to have some tools that make your phone more powerful. One of the best is a simple Bluetooth keyboard. If you don’t like to dictate and have a long message or email to write, a Bluetooth keyboard could save your life.
It’s also smart to have a larger screen to see something more clearly. And don’t forget a phone screen to protect your eyes from blue light and strain.
Respect your own boundaries
Having a screen to protect your eyes is essential, but your eyes aren’t the only thing that needs protecting. Using a phone to run your business threatens your work/life balance in a way no other device can.
If you can’t resist the urge to pick up your smartphone every few minutes to check it, then you’ve got to set up some boundaries. Have a place where the phone sits whenever you get home at night and make sure it stays there. Turn it to silent or do-not-disturb or you won’t be getting the rest you need to avoid burnout.
