Systems Audit? Yuck!
Do you have subscriptions you are not using? Domains that are on autopay, but unused? It may be time for a systems audit.
Could you use a little bit of extra cash before the holidays? October is my month to review my systems. It amazes me how much clutter I accumulate in the first three quarters of the year: software subscriptions, newsletter subscriptions, digital clutter. It also amazes me how much money some of this clutter is costing me!
Today, let’s find a few ways to decrease the chaos in your systems, save you money, and get you ready for the holidays.
Here are three thoughts to provoke you, two ideas to inspire you, and one item to act on!
Three Thoughts to Provoke
Number One. Marketing Ads
Do you know how much time is wasted by the marketing ads coming into your inbox? Even if you delete them every day, you are wasting precious energy and time.
What if one of these emails catches your eye? You then spend 30 minutes chasing a rabbit that was not part of your day. Email marketing works. Here are some stats for you.
- Salesforce noted that email marketers in the UK reported that for every dollar invested, the average return was $38.
- MTA reported that adding videos to an email can increase click rates by 300%. Interactive email content increases the rate of click-to-open by 73%
While those facts are fascinating, if you are using email marketing, they are also a huge concern to your wallet and time.
I spend October winnowing down the number of marketing ads in my inbox. This systems audit, helps me save money, protects my mental energy, and cuts down my squirrel moments.
Number Two. Software Bloat
I do an systems audit in October of my software. Just today, I combined a subscription that saved me $10 a month. I needed photo editing software, and I use an online graphic tool. Combining my Adobe Spark and Adobe Lightroom subscription gave me access to Photoshop, so I will not need to upgrade Photoshop Elements in the new year. This was all for the same price I was paying for my Adobe Spark subscription.
What are some innovative ways you can save some money on software subscriptions? Make sure you look at your telecom, office, graphics, and scheduling software. In 2021 I will stop my GoToMeeting subscription and just use Microsoft Teams. Small changes like that can save hundreds of dollars per year.
Number Three. Websites and Domains
Do you have domains on autopay? Multiple website hosting packages? Email subscription plans? Do an audit. Build an Excel spreadsheet of domain names, web host providers, due dates, payment plans, etc. This is another area where a systems audit is valuable.
My current email subscription plan is pricey. I chose it because my business coach highly recommended it. My email plans have ranged from Mailchimp’s free plan to Infusionsoft. The program I use now falls in the middle. I plan to research other options a few months before the subscription expires. I will make a note on my calendar and in my project management tool.
Two Things to Inspire
Number One. Life Audit
“You can do a life audit at any age or stage of life. Don’t waste time on things that aren’t necessary or good for you. Life is short. Do the bits you have to do and use the rest of your life to have a wonderful time.”
Carolyn Righton
Number Two. Simplicity
“When we clear the physical clutter from our lives, we literally make way for inspiration and ‘good, orderly direction’ to enter.”
Julia Cameron
I would add that it is not just the physical clutter, but the digital clutter as well.
Your Action Item
Take 30 minutes this week to review one area. Maybe you need to unsubscribe from some marketing ads. Look at your software. What is one item you can do without? Have your assistant draw up a spreadsheet of your digital footprint. Review your systems audit; are there areas you can save money?
Let me know how you saved money or time this week! Email me at lisa@olindaservices.com. I would love to hear from you!
Olinda Services provides Executive Business Partner support for small businesses and Non-Profit executives.
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