Here's how you can optimize your daily routine for SEM work.

Before doing anything external or client facing, use the valuable morning hours to get yourself right. I dedicate the first hour of my day to focus time when my mind is the most clear. I’m not a morning person naturally so I don’t follow a strict routine, workout, etc., but do what works for you. There’s no one right way to approach your morning.

Start your day with a well-planned morning routine. Begin with a healthy breakfast and some physical exercise to energize your body. Spend a few minutes reviewing your goals and planning your tasks for the day. Use a planner or a digital tool like Google Calendar to schedule your tasks. Morning prep sets a positive tone for the day and helps you stay focused.

Starting your day with a clear SEM plan is crucial. Review goals, check campaign performance, revisit keyword strategies, and plan A/B testing. Prioritize tasks to maximize focus and effectiveness.

Big fan of task batching! SEM involves many different types of skills and activities to plan, build, measure and optimize and it is more efficient and effective with less error to organize similar tasks together and minimize context switching.

Group similar tasks together to maximize efficiency. Task batching reduces the time lost switching between different activities. For example, designate specific times for checking emails, making phone calls, and working on projects. Tools like Trello or Asana can help you organize and manage your tasks effectively. Batching tasks allows you to work more efficiently and complete tasks faster.

One tool that has saved me time is aText. Over time, for things I regularly write down or type out, I create a shortcut in aText to automatically paste it into a field I’m typing. It speeds up my process and ensures I’m not losing focus.

Leverage automation tools to streamline repetitive tasks. Use software like Zapier or IFTTT to automate workflows between different apps. Automation can handle routine tasks like data entry, scheduling social media posts, and sending reminders. By automating mundane tasks, you free up more time for high-priority activities.

Incorporate regular breaks into your schedule to avoid burnout. Follow techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. Use your break time to stretch, take a short walk, or simply relax. Breaks help refresh your mind and maintain your productivity throughout the day.

Scheduling short breaks throughout your day is vital to prevent burnout. Regular breaks help maintain mental agility and improve productivity, especially during intense SEM work.

Block off an hour each day in your calendar to dedicate to learning. Continuous learning is important in SEM because it changes quickly and often. I suggest following industry leading blogs, evaluating online courses (LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, etc.), watching videos or signing up for webinars to keep up with the latest industry trends.

Dedicate an hour each day to learning something new. This could be reading industry-related articles, taking online courses, or practicing a new skill. Continuous learning keeps your mind sharp and helps you stay updated with the latest trends and developments in your field. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer a wide range of courses to choose from.

Add structure to your day. Ensure every hour of your work day has an assignment, even if it’s just a time block to do something (optimizing campaigns, meeting prep, deep work, etc.) There should be no blank space in your calendar. Yes, taking breaks or down time can be included, but still ensures every hour has a structure. Incorporate tasks throughout your day on top of this. I personally like the Tasks feature in Google calendar so I can literally “mark completed” and give me a boost.