You're juggling urgent copywriting tasks. How do you decide which ones to tackle first?

1 Assess Urgency

When you're faced with multiple urgent tasks, start by assessing the urgency of each. Consider the deadlines and the consequences of not completing the tasks on time. A project due in a few hours should typically take precedence over one that's due next week, but there are exceptions. For example, if a task due later has a significant impact on a major campaign or involves a key client, it might require immediate attention despite the relaxed deadline. By evaluating the urgency and importance of each task, you can create a hierarchy to guide you through your workload.

2 Evaluate Impact

Next, consider the impact of each task. Some copywriting assignments may be part of larger projects or campaigns that are critical to your client's success. These high-impact tasks often warrant immediate attention. For instance, copy for a product launch or an email sequence for a high-stakes marketing campaign can significantly influence the outcome and therefore should be prioritized. By focusing on tasks with the greatest impact, you ensure that your efforts are contributing to the most important goals.

3 Client Priority

Client relationships are vital in copywriting. When juggling tasks, take into account which clients are involved. A long-standing client with a history of regular work might take precedence over a new client with a smaller project. However, if you're trying to build a relationship with a new client who has the potential for future work, their project might deserve earlier attention. Balancing client priority with other factors will help you maintain healthy business relationships while managing your workload effectively.

4 Task Complexity

Some copywriting tasks are more complex than others and require a greater investment of time and mental energy. If you have a mix of high and low complexity tasks, you might choose to tackle the simpler ones first to clear your slate and gain momentum. Alternatively, diving into the most complex task while your mind is fresh can be beneficial, as it allows for more creative and focused work. Deciding whether to start simple or tackle complexity head-on depends on your personal work style and the specific demands of the tasks at hand.

5 Available Resources

Consider the resources you have at your disposal. If a task requires input or collaboration from others who are currently available, it might be wise to prioritize that task while you have the necessary support. Similarly, if a project requires specific research or tools that you currently have access to, take advantage of that availability. By aligning your task priorities with the resources at hand, you can work more efficiently and avoid potential roadblocks.

6 Personal Energy

Your personal energy levels play a crucial role in determining which tasks to prioritize. If you're a morning person, for instance, you might tackle the most challenging copywriting tasks early in the day when your energy is at its peak. Conversely, if you find that your creativity surges in the afternoon, schedule high-creativity tasks accordingly. Understanding and leveraging your natural energy cycles will help you work smarter, not harder, and ensure that you're delivering your best work on each task.

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?