10 Genius Time Hacks for Busy 9-5ers Building Communities

Time management in community building isn't just about squeezing more hours out of your day. It's about working smarter, not harder. And boy, did I learn that the hard way!

I remember the nights I spent glued to my screen, frantically responding to every notification, thinking that's what a "dedicated" community manager does—It's a one-way ticket to burnout city, population… just me.

After countless trials and errors, I cracked the code. These genius time hacks will transform you from a frazzled 9-to-5er to a community-building wizard without sacrificing your sanity (or your day job).

Why should you trust this advice? Well, I've been in the trenches of affiliate marketing for years, burning through more courses and software than I care to admit. After 11,000+ hours online, I've seen it all - the good, the bad, and the "why did I spend money on this?" What you're about to read is the distilled wisdom from my journey, aimed at helping you avoid the pitfalls I encountered.

I tried every time management trick in the book but – traditional time management just doesn't cut it for community builders.

Why? Because communities are living, breathing entities. They don't stick to your carefully crafted schedule.

I remember planning my entire week, allocating specific hours for community work. Then boom! A hot topic explodes in the forum, members are debating left and right, and suddenly my perfectly planned evening is thrown out the window.

Traditional time management assumes you have control over your tasks. But in community building, responsiveness is key. You can't just clock out when your allocated "community time" is up.

Balancing your day job and community building is like walking a tightrope while juggling flaming torches. One wrong move, and you could end up burning both ends.

I learned this the hard way when I almost missed a crucial project deadline because I was up late moderating a heated discussion in my community. That was a wake-up call.

The key is to find synergy between your career and community. It's not about keeping them separate, but about making them complement each other.

I used to spend my lunch breaks scrolling mindlessly through social media. What a waste! Once I realized the POTENTIAL of those precious 30 minutes, a lot has suddenly changed.

With practice, I turned that midday break into a community goldmine. Here's what worked for me:

Engagement doesn't always need hours of planning. I've found some rapid-fire tactics that pack a punch:

These quick hits keep the community buzzing without consuming your whole break.

I once posed a simple question about favorite productivity hacks and returned from lunch to find a lively discussion with over 50 comments. Talk about making minutes count!

Breaking down mammoth projects into bite-sized chunks revolutionized my approach. Instead of "grow the community," I started with:

Suddenly, that insurmountable mountain became a series of manageable hills. I could tackle these tiny tasks during coffee breaks, between meetings, or while waiting for the bus.

Keeping tabs on micro-tasks requires the right tools. I have not personally used the following because I am full time in my amazing community now, but peers say they are great if used correctly:

I used to think being a HANDS-ON community manager meant doing everything manually. Wow, was I wrong?

Here are the key areas where automation saved some people's sanity:

New members can get personalized greetings at 3 AM while your sound asleep!

You don't need a Silicon Valley budget to automate effectively. I've found some fantastic tools that won't break the bank:

Getting started with automation can be overwhelming. I remember staring at Zapier's interface a while back, feeling like I was piloting a spaceship. But I do not currently use it, but can do quite a lot with some patience:

Your daily commute if it is forty-five minutes each way, instead of WASTED on mindless scrolling-– why not use this time for my community? If you’re not the driver that is!

Start small:

Mobile apps are the secret sauce to commute productivity. Here's your arsenal of on-the-go tools if your a 9-5er:

Weekends used to be my escape from community management. That changed when I realized the POTENTIAL of a well-structured weekend routine. Now, I harness these precious hours for better community growth.

My weekend warrior routine looks like this:

This structure allows me to focus on high-impact tasks without sacrificing my entire weekend. I once doubled my community engagement rate in just three weekends using this method. Use whatever will work for you but have some structure so you will implement it often.

The heart of my weekend warrior technique is the 2-hour growth sprint. It's intense, focused, and incredibly productive. Here's how I break it down:

Notifications used to rule my life. Every ping, ding, and buzz sent me into a frenzy of FOMO-driven responses. It was exhausting and unsustainable.

That's when I discovered the "Inbox Zero" philosophy. Here's how I adapted it for community management:

This approach transformed my productivity. I went from constantly reactive to proactively managing my community's needs. And online communities are becoming a resource.

Drowning in a sea of notifications? Smart filters are your life raft if you set up a robust system that helps you to navigate the daily deluge:

I used to think I had to do everything myself. Rookie mistake. The real MAGIC happens when you empower your community members to take the lead.

Spotting potential champions isn't rocket science. Look for members who:

Delegating isn't about dumping work on others. It's an art form that requires finesse. Here's my tried-and-true approach:

My delegation mantra: "Give them the 'what' and the 'why', but let them figure out the 'how'." This approach fosters creativity and ownership.

I discovered the power of SYNERGY. It's not about separation, it's about integration.

Here's how I can aligned my community goals if I still had my 9-to-5:

This approach can transform your perspective. Suddenly, your community isn't competing with your job – it is enhancing it.

Approaching your employer about your community can be nerve-wracking. And maybe it will be best to mind your own business and keep it a secret. Because your employer may see you as not fully committed to the company, or you will leave.

But if that is not the case, here’s a strategy for getting your employer to buy-in:

With strategic approaches like maximizing your lunch break and breaking tasks into manageable micro-actions, you can make remarkable progress even with limited time.

Remember, it's not about having more hours in the day – it's about making the most of the hours you have. By implementing these time hacks, you'll create momentum that builds on itself, allowing your community to flourish without sacrificing your career or sanity.

Don't forget that automation can be your secret weapon, handling routine tasks while you focus on meaningful engagement. And when the weekend rolls around, having a structured approach can help you make significant strides forward.

Ready to take your community building to the next level while keeping your day job? The journey starts now with these proven strategies. Your future thriving community (and your well-rested self) will thank you!

Ready to revolutionize your community building while keeping your 9-5? Join my Skool community for free and get access to my "Community Building Blueprint"! Are you ready to turn your passion into a thriving community without sacrificing your day job?

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