For lesser offenses, rely on tactics like verbal reprimands or redirecting your child to another activity. Give fair warning. Instead of springing a time-out on your child, alert her that she'll get one if she continues to act up. This gives her the opportunity to regulate her own behavior first. At this age children often get riled up without realizing it and can calm themselves when given a reminder.
Some kids dislike time-outs so much that eventually the warning itself does the job.
Explain why you're using time-out. You need a time-out to calm down. You need a time-out to think about what you did. Remember, the purpose is to reinforce rules. Though it's hard not to get heated, scolding will make your child feel belittled and may make her more rebellious.