– Susan Briggs
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Focusmate and the Prosperous Pet Business Focusmate Group
Getting Started:
Q. What equipment do I need to get started on Focusmate?
A. All you need is a computer with a camera and microphone, and an internet connection. On desktop we strongly recommend using Chrome.
For a mobile phone, Focusmate only supports certain browsers:
- Android: Chrome
- iOS (iPhone/iPad): Safari
Q. What if I don’t have a working video camera on my phone or computer?
A. You’ll need a working video camera as it is necessary in order to use Focusmate.
How It Works:
Q. What’s it like working with a stranger?
A. I love it! I’ve worked people all over the world from all walks of life including: opera singers who are using Focusmate to practice their arias, elementary teachers who are creating their lesson plans or grading papers during their sessions, SEO experts in Africa who are updating their websites, people in India who are meditating or cooking!
Most users say their partner doesn’t feel like a stranger after the session got started. Also keep in mind, you aren’t “hanging out” or collaborating with your partner, unless you both decide to do that; for most sessions you’ll simply say hello at the beginning, declare your tasks, and at the completion of the session state what you completed and say goodbye at the end. Of course, you can make each session your own and bring your own personality into it! I (Kristin) have gotten in the habit of asking my Focusmate partner after I’ve said hello: “What’s something good that’s happened today?” It’s fun for me to see the look of delight or confusion flash across their face (they often aren’t expecting that question!) and watch as they decide what to say. It’s also fun to answer that question when I’m asked it by my partner.
Q. Do I need to keep the video on the whole time?
A. Yes. Working with video on is mandatory. After awhile you’ll get used to it and likely, even love it!
Q. Do I need to keep the audio on the whole time?
A. It’s up to you. I (Kristin) tend to nearly always mute my mic but some people really like the mic on to hear ambient noises. Check in with your partner at the beginning of the session to state your preference and hear their preference. You’ll work it out! Some say that hearing their partner working boosts their own productivity, and makes them more accountable. However, if you are using your session to watch a video, listen to music while you work, making a phone call, or some other noisy task, you will definitely want to mute yourself.
Q. How long is a coworking session?
A. Each Focusmate coworking session is 50-minutes long. This allows you to take a 10-minute break between each session if you want to do multiple sessions in a row.
Q. What if I sign up for a session and I don’t get a partner?
A. Nearly all sessions get matched at any time during the day or night because there are users from all over the world, but if your session time doesn’t result in a match, try another 15-minute increment.
Q. How can I get matched with another pet business owner?
A. First, you’ll need to sign up to be in the Prosperous Pet Business Focusmate group
If another pet business owner is signed up for the same day and time as you are and you both have signed up to be in the Prosperous Pet Business Focusmate group you’ll likely get matched!
And please know that whoever you get matched with can always be a gift regardless of their occupation – it’s another person who, like you, has agreed to be productive for the next 50 minutes! What a treasure that is!
Q. Kristin, is Focusmate your creation and do you get paid for those who sign up?
A. I did not create Focusmate (though I wish I did!) and I do not receive any money for any sign ups. In fact, I pay a monthly fee for the Prosperous Pet Business Focusmate group to exist.
Q. So, Kristin, why do you want people to sign up if you don’t get paid for people signing up and in fact, you have to pay for Focusmate to have a Prosperous Pet Business Focusmate group?
A. Because I believe 100% in the power of Focusmate and I want as many pet business owners as possible to be able to access the group and connect with other pet business owners in order to create better businesses, be more productive in an easy and relaxed way and even use their time on Focusmate to focus on self-care activities, if that’s how they choose to use their session time. I am crazy (in the best possible way!) about Focusmate and I want as many people as possible to know about it and be able to get matched with other pet business owners from across the world. Because of that, I’m willing to invest money to host a Focusmate group just for pet business owners. I have a number of free items for pet business owners, including the Prosperous Pet Business podcast and the Free Stuff for Pet Business Owners page. This is another one of the free items I want to gift pet business owners in order to help you thrive in your business and your life!
Q. So, since it’s free to join the Prosperous Pet Business Focusmate group, is it free to join Focusmate?
A. Yes, you can sign up for free and your free membership contains the ability to sign up for up to 3 weekly sessions. If you want an unlimited plan (as many sessions per day or week as you like), it’s only $5/month. I recommend that plan as once you try it, you’ll likely be hooked. Focusmate is one of the healthiest addictions I know! I would be willing to pay so much more for this resource. It’s been invaluable for me as I knock off items on my to do list for both business and my personal life. I can’t imagine my life without it now!
Q. How come Focusmate so inexpensive (only $5/per month) to have unlimited sessions per month?!
A. No idea, but I’m grateful as the low unlimited price allows people from all walks of life to be able to connect with each other on this amazing platform.
Q. How is accountability enforced?
A. Accountability is enforced by Focusmate and its community members. If you’re late or don’t show, Focusmate can detect it and your attendance score will be reduced, and your account can also be frozen. If your partner goofs off during the session, you can report it using the reporting button on the appointment card in your dashboard.
Q. Can I chat with my coworking partner off and on during the session?
A. No. Talking with your partner is only allowed at the beginning and end of your session. At the beginning, you’re encouraged to say hello to your partner and share what you plan to work on. At the end, you should check in and ask your partner how the session went. If you’d like to talk to your partner more, you can suggest or offer it at the end of your session. Please bear in mind, no selling or propositions (business, personal or otherwise) are allowed during Focusmate sessions.
Q. What kind of work can I do on Focusmate?
A. As long as you stay on camera, you can use Focusmate for most kinds of work: computer work, cleaning, cooking, art, music, writing, reading, even at-home exercise! The main thing is to set up your camera so that your partner can see you while you work and to turn off your audio if there’s a lot of noise on your end.
Troubleshooting Focusmate Technical Issues:
Q. My audio/video isn’t working. What do I do? Can I contact Kristin about it?
A. Please don’t contact Kristin about any technical issues regarding Focusmate! She doesn’t own or run Focusmate so she won’t be any help. She simply hosts a group on Focusmate.
First, make sure you have a supported browser. On desktop Focusmate strongly recommends using Chrome. For mobile phones, Focumate only supports these browsers:
- Android: Chrome
- iOS (iPhone/iPad): Safari
You will also need to allow your browser permission to access your camera and microphone. Here are instructions on how to change your Chrome permissions for camera and microphone.
If you are still having trouble, try the following:
- Close and re-join the session
- Quit and restart your browser
If you are on mobile, please read this article on launching a session.
Q. I found a Focusmate glitch or bug. What do I do?
A. When there’s a glitch, let Focusmate know: You might be the first person to experience it, or one of many. The Focusmate team works tirelessly to keep the system running smoothly, but we can’t fix problems we don’t know about.
Other Focusmate FAQ:
Q. What does Focusmate cost?
A. Focusmate is free for 3 sessions (50-minutes each) every week. For unlimited sessions per week, you can upgrade to Turbo for only $5 per month.
Q. Can I listen to music during my session?
Yes. However, if you plan to listen to music or watch videos, make sure to mute your microphone.
Q. Can Focusmate do [insert feature here]?
A. Focusmate is still in the early stages of development. If there’s a feature you want, there’s a good chance we plan to build it. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience.