Introduction
Ever feel like you’re juggling 20 tasks at once, barely making progress, and wondering if there’s a smarter way? I get it. In my early days, I spent hours each week scattered between titles, emails, covers, ads—everything. But once I switched to batching, everything changed. My productivity soared, and it helped me create more than 1,500 books and a 7-figure self-publishing business. Ready to see how?
Why Batching Became My Productivity Lifeline
Batching tasks means grouping similar tasks together and doing them in focused blocks. Instead of jumping from email replies to cover design to checking Amazon ads, I focus on just one area at a time. This is the single biggest reason I’ve been able to scale my business—batching cuts out the distraction and makes life simpler. This approach is part of a business model that can help any entrepreneur or business owner grow.
My Early Pain Points
- Lack of Focus: Jumping from finances to cover design drained my mental energy.
- Constant Interruptions: A never-ending ding of notifications made me lose my flow.
- Long Hours, Fewer Results: I’d sit at my desk for 12 hours, yet feel unaccomplished.
When I committed to batching—one day for titles, another for covers—I saw immediate benefits. My output doubled, and I finally felt like I had time to breathe.
How to Plan Your Week So You Actually Get Things Done
1. Plan Tomorrow Today
I never start a day without a plan. On Sundays, I list out the critical tasks for the week. Then, I schedule them into daily time blocks.
- List Tasks: Jot down everything—emails, cover reviews, writing, research, ad management.
- Prioritize: Pick the tasks that really push your business to the next level. Maybe it’s setting up a new Amazon KDP ad campaign or finding profitable niches for your next round of books.
- Batch by Type: Group tasks in blocks. For instance, handle finances one day and cover designs another.
- Schedule It: Put it on your calendar. Make it non-negotiable time.
Real-World Example
- Monday: Create five new book titles (this is your “frog”—do it first thing in the morning).
- Tuesday: Research new keywords and set up Amazon ads.
- Wednesday: Review covers for upcoming launches.
I see too many self-publishers guess their way through the day, which often leads to subpar results. If you want to reduce guesswork and stay ahead of the competition, plan your week in writing, either physically or digitally.
Eat the Frog First
“Eating the Frog” means tackling your toughest task first. For me, that’s often creating something or drafting brand-new marketing strategies. When you handle the big stuff right away, everything else feels lighter and more doable.
- Morning Freshness: At 4 AM, my mind is crisp. I can power through challenging tasks before the world wakes up.
- Focus Window: No emails, no phone calls, just pure focus time.
This approach is invaluable for any entrepreneurial venture or new business looking to make big strides early in the day.
Crushing Distractions = Staying Focused
Focus is simply the absence of distractions. To build a multimillion-dollar self-publishing business, you need deep work sessions. Here’s how I remove distractions:
- Airplane Mode: I put my phone on airplane mode or keep it in another room.
- Scheduled Email Check-Ins: Three times a week—Monday, Wednesday, Friday. No daily emailing that keeps me scattered.
- Better Fuel: Overloading on sugar leads to crashes. Cleaner eating = clearer thinking.
- Movement & Exercise: Running or any physical exercise boosts brain health. It might “cost” an hour, but you gain sharper focus for the rest of your day.
These habits are part of the blueprint for building a sustainable business that doesn’t burn you out.
Batching In Action: Real Steps You Can Take
Task | Batch Frequency | Benefit |
Title Creation | 1x per week (or 1 day) | Quick generation of fresh ideas |
Covers | 1x per week (or 1 day) | Consistent branding & design |
Emails/Comms | 3x per week | Fewer interruptions |
Ad Optimization | 1x per week | Target the best keywords |
Financial Reviews | 2x per month | Track Amazon KDP cost & income |
- Title Creation: Spend one block creating multiple titles to test. (Need tips? Check out our Creating a High CTR Title and Subtitle for Your Book guide.)
- Ads: Instead of sporadically checking them daily, dedicate one session to analyze performance and optimize your campaigns.
By batching your tasks, you’re not just saving time—you’re also ensuring you’re hitting that sweet spot for top performance. This is what’s allowed me to produce amazon kdp examples of multiple bestsellers without losing my mind. Plus, with rising amazon kdp cost for ads, you want to make sure every minute counts.
Delegating and Automating: Free Up Your Schedule
Automation and delegation are essential for any business owner who wants to build a successful business and focus on growth. Batching also lets you see which tasks can be handed off or automated. If something isn’t necessary, cut it. If it’s necessary but not a good use of your time, outsource it.
- Delegate: Hire someone to handle repetitive tasks. Maybe it’s formatting or email replies.
- Automate: Software tools can handle tasks faster. Think about investing in an AI-powered writing assistant or a scheduling app for your social media if you still see a return.
Remember, your time is worth more than you realize. If you can save even two hours a week by using a $30-per-month tool, you’re effectively buying back eight hours of your life every month for a fraction of your amazon kdp percentage from each sale. That can really add up.
Tackling Common Publishing Pain Points
- Finding Profitable Niches
- Use data analysis in batches. Research niches all at once and compare trends side by side.
- Want more tips on researching categories and building your book’s brand? Read our post on The Best Platform for Self-Publishing Your Books?
- Optimizing Ads
- Dedicate a weekly block to check your Amazon ads. Adjust bids and keywords for best returns.
- Keep track of your amazon kdp cost in a simple spreadsheet or third-party tool.
- Reducing Guesswork
- Follow a proven system. Eat the frog, batch tasks, then refine as you go.
- Each week, measure your progress to see what’s working and what’s not.
- Staying Ahead of Competition
- Regularly evaluate your categories and keywords. If you do that in a single block, you can spot trends faster than others who dabble here and there.
- Leveraging AI Tools
- Use AI for quick content outlines, keyword expansions, and more. But set boundaries and time blocks. AI can be a huge help—if used correctly.
My Personal Results: From One-Task-at-a-Time to 1,500+ Books
- Less Stress: Instead of feeling crushed by a zillion tasks, I have neat to-do blocks.
- Laser Focus: I complete tasks faster and more creatively by staying on one track.
- Massive Output: Batching gave me the breathing room to create 1,500+ books.
- Consistent Growth: As tasks are batched and systematized, I can grow my catalog without chaos.
Ready to Scale with Batching?
I challenge you to try batching for a week. Write down your tasks, group them, commit to those blocks, and see if you notice a spike in productivity.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Batching is how I handle titles, covers, emails, and even things like analyzing my amazon kdp percentage on profit. It’s given me a clear path to scaling while keeping my sanity. I believe this single habit can transform your self-publishing results, whether you’re launching your first book or running a full-fledged Amazon KDP business.
Ready for More?
If you’re looking to build a solid foundation:
- Join our Free Skool Community for support, proven strategies, and real-time feedback.
- Join our waitlist for the Driven Publishers Elite (group calls + direct coaching) and the Self-Publishing Trifecta Course (my 9 years of learning, simplified—no more guesswork).
Let’s batch, publish, and grow—together.