The Thirty Three Method
Originally published on linemae.com which was rebranded to lizwhite.co.
Same content, same author, new brand, new website.
Precap (like a recap, but you know, earlier) : The Thirty Three method had saved me hundreds of dollars a year. Yes, it really works. No, it's not JUST about saving money. Yes, I gave it a catchy name. Yes, you need to start using this method in your business...
It's time to chat about a no-nonsense method for auditing your business.
When you're making large shifts in your business and towards how your business at it's core is working... the way you make that happen is by changing a lot of little things along the way.
Maybe this means you start implementing a new routine. Maybe you purchase a few new tools that require a monthly payment to use. Maybe you're wondering if you need to switch up email providers.
All of these small business decisions add up and can make incredible strides towards growth OR they can quietly prevent real growth from happening (while we think they are helping)!
THAT'S WHERE THE THIRTY THREE METHOD COMES IN...
Today you'll learn exactly how the Thirty Three Method is going to help you make the best decisions for your business.
More specifically I'm sharing with you the best way to make sure that your purchases, like business tools & subscriptions, are actually making a difference in your business.
You can use this method for things in your business that aren't actual purchases, like routines and habits, but for now I'm highlighting how the Thirty Three Method is going to help you make smart money decisions.
Here's what the Thirty Three Method is (you're going to love its simplicity)...
EVERY NEW DECISION YOU MAKE GETS RE-EVALUATED EVERY 30 DAYS FOR 3 MONTHS
The Thirty Three Method is not a one-and-done kind of deal. This it a hyper specific, yet simple, way to keep track of any new purchases or changes to how you run your business. From things like using a new CMS tool or deciding to only check your email twice a day... use this method to keep track of whether something *actually* helps.
If you haven't done any kind of business audit before, I would also recommend that you take anything that has recurring business costs (monthly, quarterly) through this evaluation. So often we keep doing things just because we've been doing them, without critically evaluating if they *truly* work.
IF IT DOESN'T HELP YOUR BUSINESS AT ALL IN THE FIRST 30 DAYS, YOU ELIMINATE IT
This might be the toughest month. After all, we always want to give things a chance.
Hear me on this... Thirty days is enough to give something new a chance.
If what you're tracking doesn't help your business at all (seriously zero difference in how your business operates) it has to go. Seriously. Get rid of it.
You need to notice improvement in whatever you're trying to make better, or else it's back to the drawing board.
IF IT STOPS HELPING YOUR BUSINESS AFTER THE SECOND 30 DAYS, YOU ELIMINATE IT
Have you ever noticed that the first month of something might be great, but then it loses momentum or efficacy the next? If something helps your business one month and then the next it doesn't do anything, there's an issue.
60 days is a long time to test out something new in your business, and enough time to notice if something is making your life a whole lot easier... or just doing a lot of nothing.
When there's a monthly cost along with the whole "doing nothing" thing, save your money and try something new. Get rid of it and move on.
IF IT CONTINUES TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH THE THIRD 30 DAYS, YOU KEEP IT
Woohoo! You found something that helps your business and it's passed the test. Chances are, whatever you're doing is a keeper and you can rest easy knowing that you can continue with it.
Note: It's best to do 6-month and year check-ins to keep track of things. If something stops working, or needs to be improved, you don't want to go too long without addressing it.
I mean really, how easy is that?
Now, you already know this, but we don't notice something is wrong until it's REALLY wrong (usually by costing us a LOT of time or money).
The Thirty Three Method is going to prevent the snowball effect that poor decisions typically lead to. You know, when you kind of ignore something that isn't working, and it grows and grows until eventually it plows you over and you're left picking up the pieces?
Dramatic? Maybe.
Like you, I've been there, done that, and I know it's not something I want to allow to happen. The Thirty Three Method does wonders to help prevent those things from happening.
Whether you're purchasing a new tool or you're trying out a new way of doing something, you need to use this method in your business.
HERE'S A QUICK LIST OF HOW TO KNOW IF SOMETHING IS HELPING YOUR BUSINESS (IF YOU'RE STILL NOT SURE):
It helps you make more money by bringing in new clients
It helps you make more money by selling more products
It cuts down on the time you spend on admin work
It helps you put repetitive things on autopilot
It makes your client process run smoother and faster
It makes your selling process faster and stress free
It makes you less stressed out - gives you peace of mind
It frees up time so you can work less
HOW HAVE I USED THE THIRTY THREE METHOD?
I've used this method to save me both time AND money when trying out new things in my business.
It's how I decided that SmarterQueue wasn't smart for me (saving me $240).
It's how I decided that Iconosquare was no longer helping my business in any way (saving me $108)
It's how I decided that Planoly was no longer a good fit (saving me another $108)
It's how I decided that Dubsado is seriously the best - click here for a FREE TRIAL and 20% off!
I'm using this method as I test out Leadpages (so far so good)
If you aren't tracking your business results and numbers, it's time to start.