60 breakthrough business hacks in 60 minutes

Check out these 60 hacks that can improve your day and add firepower to your business courtesy of a few of COSE’s small business experts.

By Nicole Rothstein

What could be better than learning tips, tricks and hacks that will help make you more productive, more efficient, more effective, more profitable, and more successful? The answer is nothing!

COSE previously hosted an interactive, fun, fast paced event with three forward thinking business owners who have found unique and innovative tools and solutions to operate and grow their businesses. Panelists included “CP” Perez – CEO of Cheryl C Perez Brands, Taylor Evans – founder and president of Rust Belt Recruiting, and Alex Gertsburg – founder of CoverMySix and managing partner of Gertsburg Licata Business Law Firm and Gertsburg Licata Acquisitions.

Here are 60 of the ideas the speakers talked about—start using them to add firepower to your business.

1. Don’t be afraid to get your brand out there—make it cohesive and seen at all times.
2. Automation is key! Find a marketing automation tool and spend less time posting on different channels. Loomly can help!
3. The Pomodoro Technique helps you actually get stuff done—Google it! It forces you to set aside a 45-minute block of time to help you hone in on a particular task.
4. Organize your ideas with cloud-based notetaking systems such as OneNote.
5. Microtasks create a lot of momentum—don’t get overwhelmed. Tell yourself, I’m going to do one thing each day.  
6. Use iPage to purchase your domain. It allows you to build unlimited email addresses using your business’ domain for free. This is more cost effective than other programs where you pay per user.
7. Momentum is a browser add-on that is customizable and has the option to add a to do list, temperature and weather, etc. Use it to put a smile on your face.
8. Don’t wait—buy your domain name as soon as you’re ready. Be mindful of what your domain is—it represents your brand.
9. When starting out, use Namevine.com to make sure your name isn’t already taken.
10. Piano music is a useful background noise because it stimulates intellectual curiosity.
11. Digital marketing is the most cost-effective way to grow your business—be consistent across all platforms.
12. Planable is great social media planning software and posts to the big five social media sites. Set it and forget it!
13. Use Microsoft Teams or Slack to speed up communication and help clean up your inbox.
14. Stock imagery can fill a void but taking quality images yourself is easy and free.
15. Find a photographer who is trying to build their business to take your photos on a budget. Photo shoots are a must when it comes to content.
16. Zapier is a project manager that connects all of your systems and tools together.
17. Lucidchart—if you like to create good visuals for your speeches, etc, use this!
18. Work less, chill more. Don’t let your job be work—make it be something that brings the best out of you.
19. Create processes in your business with Loom. Use it to screen record and train employees.
20. There’s always more things to do than you have people to do it; use Upwork to multiply your workforce.
21. With a softphone like Ring Central you can be reached on your work line wherever you are.
22. Katra is a marketing automation tool that allows you to create work flows, track steps each lead has taken with your business, and so much more!
23. Get quoted in publications by using HARO – help a reporter out. When journalists need a quote, advice, etc they go here and post their question—respond and get published!
24. Use LegalUp to make sure you don’t mix business and personal bank accounts.
25. Use sales and marketing funnels to help create automated income so you can get to the work less, chill more stage.
26. Boomerang—when you make a request in an email, it creates an email reminder for you.
27. Network to help others and not yourself.
28. Dubsado is perfect for consulting and coaching business. It does it all: Setting appointment, proposal process, delivering, invoicing, and can also be CRM system
29. So many things are a time suck. The little things add up, so get a virtual assistant.
30. Go on LinkedIn and just start chatting. Start conversations and engage—being more social gets you more promotion.
31. But don’t spam the platform!
32. Freshdesk is an all-in-one platform for customer service. Utilize your virtual assistants to create a ticketing system.
33. Use Keeper for passwords to stay safe online.
34. Don’t be shy about giving your clients honest feedback.
35. Create a content marketing strategy. When you put out valuable content you begin to make a name for yourself as an expert in your field
36. Get a business coach—it’s an investment in yourself.
37. Don’t be afraid to fire a client. If it’s a bad fit, you need to do it.
38. Know who you are targeting with marketing by first figuring out your ideal customer. Consider creating an avatar.
39. Calendly helps you avoid the back and forth of trying to schedule meetings.
40. Control your days by letting yourself get into a state of flow. Keep the flow going. Use your momentum. Maximize the work you’re doing.
41. Ensure you have an action-based website—have a call to action on each page.
42. The cost of bad hires is so expensive. Employee screening software is so important.
43. Take a CEO retreat—first solo then with your team. Block a whole week to work “on” your business, not “in” it.
44. Join a peer group. Surround yourself with a confidential, non-judgmental group of people who can listen.
45. Diffuse drama in your business to create a cohesive leadership team.
46. If you are a notetaker, how many legal pads do you have? Use reMarkable instead.
47. Meditation will actually make you a better entrepreneur.
48. Don’t start a business just to make money. Start a business because you love it so much you can’t imagine doing anything else.
49. Let your actions lead, the money will follow.
50. Grammarly is a must-use for correct spelling and grammar.
51. Did you know Word has a dictation option? Look for the microphone icon.
52. Outsource everything – if it doesn’t make you money, you don’t love it or you aren’t good at it, outsource it through another human or an app.
53. Get a laptop with a removable screen for more convenient, easier reading.
54. Monday.com is da bomb—great HR training component.
55. When you know your why, you will attract people to you who feel the same way.
56. Keywords Everywhere reveals SEO keywords to build your content so you rank on Google.
57. Don’t carry around paper business cards anymore. Use Popl electronic business cards.
58. Intentionally schedule meetings by the 15- or 45-minute mark to make the best use of your day.
59. Always make sure to confirm the next day’s meetings.
60. Read the following books:

• E-Myth by Michael Gerber
• The Success Principles by Jack Canfield
• Start with Why by Simon Sinek
• Traction by Gino Wickman
• What the Heck is EOS by Gino Wickman and Tom Bouwer
• Make Your Bed by William McRaven
• The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive by Patrick Lencioni

Watch the full recording and let us know your favorite business hacks on twitter.