I’ve shared in the past that tracking time will help you with your time management. You’ll get more done, finish work earlier, and build your business better. Well, tracking time will boost your pay, too. Yes, really! It doesn’t matter what you do as a work at home mom.

Okay, so it doesn’t exactly put extra dollars in your bank account straight away. However, I’ve made far more in a day in fewer hours. As a writer, it has boosted my writing pay considerably. It was because of time tracking that I was able to make enough to support a family of four for 18 months without concern. The only reason we’re on two incomes is because my husband now has a job he loves.

But how can time tracking help you as a work at home mom? Here’s how tracking time will boost your writing pay based on how it’s helped me.

You have more hours to work

Before you track your time, you won’t really know where you’re spending the time. It seems like you’re getting a lot done but you’re working 12+ hours to do that.

When I don’t track my writing time, I will end up working until 1 a.m. easily! I definitely don’t have the money to show for that.

What does tracking my time do? It stops me procrastinating. I have set breaks to be able to check emails and Facebook notifications. There are set times for social media scheduling and times for getting away from the computer to walk the dogs. The hours that are for working are for actually working.

By tracking this time, I make sure that I spend more time writing and making money. Instead of making $50-$100 per day, I make $150-$200 per day working just half a day for clients!

Moms do it all:Planner For Women to Run the Household: Agenda Diary Planner for Moms do it all

You’ll see your hourly rate

You need to have an hourly rate to help you set your project rate. Tracking your writing time will make sure you reach that rate. You’ll make sure you get your minimum hourly pay that you need to make your business viable.

I’ve actually found my hourly rate is double the minimum that I need. That’s because my work is taking me far less time that it would do if I procrastinated.

By spending less time on projects, I’m able to take more work on and boost the amount of pay I get on a daily basis. My hourly rate changes again.

If you still take the same amount of time, you’ll be able to see where you need to boost your rates. You’ll find clients that are worth writing for and the ones that you need to discuss a rate increase with. You’ll also find it easier to quote a larger job, having a rough guide on the amount of time a similar project has taken in the past.

More: Why WAHMs need working hours

There is time for social media scheduling

I can’t tell you how powerful batch scheduling my social media links has been. I spend 30-60 minutes a day to go through every single social media profile I have to make sure there is content going up. Some of it will be other people’s content and some will be mine.

Right now I’m using Buffer for social media scheduling, including Pinterest. I’ve not taken advantage of the Pinterest element yet, but it’s been a powerful tool for Facebook and Twitter.

By making sure you spend the time on social media – and tracking the time that you do it – you’ll reach more people with your content. This helps to boost the number of clients you get, so you start making more money with your writing.

If you’re paid based on views, social media marketing is essential. Scheduling will help you constantly get your content in front of eyes, so people click your link and read your content.

Track the time spent marketing

Time tracking is also useful for marketing directly to clients. I spend at least 30 minutes a day getting in touch with clients and potential clients. I’ll respond to messages that come through directly to me and check out job boards for any listings that interest me.

By tracking my time, I have the hours in the week to be able to do something like this. And this type of marketing directly brings in money by securing new clients.

Without time tracking, I’d spend all my time writing. I wouldn’t have the hours left over for marketing when necessary.

If you don’t already do it, track your writing time. This is something that all business owners need to do and I recommend doing it on a daily basis – whenever you’re working. You’ll find out when you’re working and when you’re most productive. Most of all tracking time will boost your writing pay. I’m already proof that it works, along with so many other writers.

More: How I’m using Trello in my business

More time with your family

One of the most important things about tracking time as a WAHM is the ability to spend more time with your family. I mean, the reason you’re a WAHM is because you want to get the right balance of work and family life, right? You want to be there for your kids when they’re young and be your own boss at the same time. The problem is you spend all this time working and not enough time with the kids.

I get that. I’ve done that.

Tracking time allows me to make sure I stick with work when I’m supposed to be working. I avoid wasting 30 minutes on Instagram scrolling away so that 30 minutes can be spent later with kids.

Time tracking works for all types of businesses. I’ve shared my successes in writing. You need to do it for you.

Stay up to date with latest tips as a WAHM by signing up to my newsletter.