Digital Declutter
By Siân Morgan-Owen, The Admin Genie UK
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links for which I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase. I only recommend products I love.
What is Digital Decluttering?
As a business owner you spend more and more time online. If you have an online business or are in the ‘virtual learning’ industry, MOST of your time will be spent online.
Everyday we are bombarded with information, some you keep, download/store and use. Majority, you will keep, store and forget about.
We take photographs, create content or collate supporting information to create content, sign up to new things, obtain new contact information etc. All of this creates ‘digital clutter.’
Why should you Digitally Declutter?
It’s been found that productivity can increase if you work in a tidier office/workspace. It’s the same for you digital workspace.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed if you have a stack of paperwork that needs filing and files scattered everywhere. The same can be said for your system desktop, inboxes social media profiles etc.
Clutter distracts.
Where should you Digitally Declutter?
EVERYWHERE!
Any where you can think you have a digital footprint.
Social media platforms, electronic and mobile devices, software and apps etc.
Computer & Mobile Devices
- Computer Desktop – If you can’t see your desktop wallpaper because it’s littered with folders, files and icons then you need to declutter. Rule of thumb is, if there are more then 10 folders on your desktop you need to have a cull.
- Downloads – Whether you have a dedicated download folder or a folder on your desktop, you need to clear this folder out or create subfolders.
- Deactivate – Check programs that launch when you boot up. They run in the background, and are not always necessary or need to launch on boot-up, slowing your system down. Deactivate these programs and open manually if you need them. Any programs you no longer need or use, uninstall.
- Recycling Bin – Remember to empty this regularly.
- Photographs – Declutter, delete or create folders for your pictures.
- Apps – Reorganise into folders or remove apps no longer used.
- Contacts – Go though your contacts (phone and email) and remove any redundant contacts (be ruthless).
Digital Communication Platforms
- Inbox – Regularly archive and delete your emails, and also check and empty your junk and draft folders.
- Incoming Subscriber Emails – If you’ve previously signed up to someone’s mailing list and are no longer interested in the information, use the ‘unsubscribe’ link in the email.
- Email Lists – Most email marketing platforms have the ability to ‘clean up inactive’ subscribers. Use this to remove any subscribers that don’t open your emails anymore or have been inactive for several month.
- Funnels – Check your funnel links, lead magnets automations are still relevant, available and working.
- Website – Review you webpages, products, make sure your links work and review your SEO’s.
- Cloud Storage – If you use platforms such as Dropbox and OneDrive, declutter those.
- Testimonials – Ask your clients for new testimonials so you can refresh the ones you use on your website and other platforms.
- Linktree / Or Alternative – Check it’s up to date and all the clickable links work.
- Browsers – Clear out the cache and any unnecessary extensions.
- Bookmarks – Remove and clean up your browser bookmarks.
Social Media Platforms and Chat Apps
- Dead Accounts – Close any accounts on those ‘flavour of the month’ platforms you no longer use and uninstall the app from your devices.
- Social Media Profiles – Check all your information is still relevant and correct.
- Profile Banners – Check these are current and up to date.
- Albums – Create albums to put your uploaded pictures in.
- Groups – Leave any groups that no longer serve you.
Conclusion
January is #GetOrganized Month, so it’s the perfect time to ‘Digitally Declutter.’
- Remove anything that’s unnecessary.
- Organise what’s important.