Every time I hear the song “Firework” by Katy Perry I’m struck by the lyrics, “Do you ever feel already buried deep? 6 ft. under screams, but no one seems to hear a thing.” Have you ever experienced that feeling on one of those days? As a business owner, you know what you want for your business, but sometimes you just can’t see how to get there. Things such as administrative tasks keep bogging you down and distract you from focusing on what you set out to do. You feel yourself being pulled in every direction and you know something has to give. There is, however, still a chance for you. Look for the signs below and follow the simple strategies to improve your way of conducting business.
Tell-Tale Signs Things Need to Change |
Strategy for Digging Out |
| You have files in different areas on your computer and contacts (Outlook, Gmail, etc.)…all over the place | You need to reign it all in with effective contact management. An Excel Spreadsheet is a great starting point since it allows for sorting and categorizing. |
| You don’t have a properly sorted database, so your marketing messages are either not reaching or not resonating with the right audience. | Your message has to hit the mark depending on your prospects’ needs, so categorizing prospects will help with this effort. The same Excel Spreadsheet mentioned above will make it simple to upload your pre-sorted contacts into your CRM (Customer Relations Management) program. |
| Every time the phone rings, you answer it. This is a major distraction and at times embarrassing, as the caller may catch you off guard with the reason for their call, and you are unprepared for the discussion they want to have with you. | Offer pre-determined open office hours. Let your calls go to voicemail, listen to the message, and consider your response before returning the call. Another effective method is to offer a link to your schedule using a service such as TimeTrade, but don’t offer same-day appointments. Be sure to block off at least one day a week which is free from calls and appointments—and stick to it. |
| You spend countless time speaking with someone who is not your ideal client or whose needs are not in alignment with the services you provide. | Start by pre-qualifying prospects prior to consulting with them. A great solution is to have a questionnaire or needs assessment form accessible on your website. If your services are a match for their needs, schedule a consult. If you are not a good fit to work together, offer a referral to a colleague or a joint venture partner. |
| You respond to emails “off the cuff”, reinventing the wheel each time. | Develop a general template and customize it as needed. Store all your scripts and templates in a Business Operations Manual. A properly categorized Manual will help you get your hand instantly on the right template, and with some minor ‘tweaks’, it can take under three minutes to create a perfect email response. |
| You are losing income due to a lack of follow-through. | Establish a rule that when a prospect expresses interest in working with you that you will reach out no less (and generally no more) than three times. Often people contact you for your services in a moment of desperation. By the time you respond, they may not feel as urgent a need to speak with you. Provide them with three opportunities to schedule a call with you, letting them know on the third attempt you will no longer follow up. It has been my experience (for myself and my clients) that once you tell them you will no longer pursue them, that is the time they will take action. |
| You are not keeping up with Social Media content or worse yet, you don’t know effective strategies to connect with your target market. | Social Media marketing can be overwhelming and very time-consuming. The solution is simple: outsource ALL of it to a professional Social Media Strategist who can propose ideas for what, when, and where to post relevant content so that your ideal client will be chasing YOU! |
| You spend far too many minutes researching and evaluating websites for better ways to run your business. | Request recommendations on software, services, and Internet-Based programs from a highly qualified Marketing Strategist. A good consultant is on top of the latest technology and even without being asked will offer resources to streamline your business processes and systems. |
Don’t settle for the status quo. Take your business to the next level by implementing these smart business strategies. However, if you are uncertain as to how to set up and effectively manage Social Media or streamline your business, or you have no inclination or time to learn for yourself, then consider working with an expert already knowledgeable in those areas and you will be back on your feet in no time!
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