Top 5 Tips for a Successful Small Business
Over the past month, I’ve chatted with several eager small business owners looking to make an impact in the new year. They’ve all asked the same question: what business growth strategies should I focus on? My answer is the same for everyone, no matter where they are in their business journey: you *must* put thoughtful energy into your online presence. Whether your website needs work or you’ve been avoiding the social media circus, now’s the time to take action. Keep reading for my top 5 tips for a successful and prosperous small business.
Review Your Website
Not sure where to start? Let’s start with the basics. First, ensure your website is mobile-friendly and won’t scare people away with outdated technology. A simple and modern website can be as simple as checking out a few resources and implementing a new website template.
Next, your website (and every other online profile) should have a call to action. There’s really no point in investing time or money online if there’s no way for them to contact you, sign up for your emails, schedule a consultation, register for an event, buy something… you catch my drift. Have one big goal for your site and reiterate it everywhere. Studies show that a consumer needs to see something eight times before they take action so go wild, but tastefully.
Last, keep it consistent. Consistency should be seen from your chosen fonts to your tone of voice. Customers and audiences take comfort in seeing the same message over and over again from you. And that’s good news because it means you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Create a brand persona and stick to it.
Trust me, I know it’s not easy. Too many of us have lost ourselves to the rat race of comparison and competition. Personally, I found myself staying away from social media and having mini-panic attacks at the thought of sharing a post. While my goal this year is to overcome that fear, here’s more ways to foster a happy and healthy business in 2019.
Celebrate the Wins
Too often we set goals for ourselves and by the time we reach them, we’re already reaching for the next one. But life is short and goes by too fast. Be proud of your accomplishments and share them. If you’re a solopreneur, you know all too well that no one will be able to help you celebrate unless you tell them. So share your wins with friends and family, share it in your emails, social media, or podcast. I stopped and recognized my best moments of the year and I’m so happy I did. If you want share yours with me, drop a comment; I’ll be the first to congratulate you!
Use Time-Saving Apps
There are so many great apps and tools out there to help you streamline your tedious work. You can find time-saving tools to help with your emails, social media, and invoicing. While some are free and others are paid-for apps, I’ve found all to be total life savers that have earned me back hours in my week. You could wear all the hats, but why not make it more like an automated hat that runs in the background while you kick up your feet and focus on your priorities?
Respectfully Decline
Being in charge may mean you can bend the rules more easily, but don’t. If you’re like me, you would give your friends and family the world if you could, but you can’t make everyone happy. Take the pressure off of yourself and charge what you are worth (some would say plus tax)! I guarantee that you’ll both be happier exchanging something of value rather than a rushed and obligatory task.
Plan Something
Pre-Cameron, I used to have a rule to always have a trip planned, even if it was months or a year away. Now that life is super busy, I’ve tweaked that rule to be something more manageable. These days, those “trips” look more like drinks with a friend, a beach day, or a bike ride on a new trail. Though they’re smaller “wins” and may not be business-related, the anticipation and excitement is like a mental break, which is so healthy for productivity.
Share with me in the comments below what you plan to focus on this year! Is it a weakness you want to turn into a strength, or something brand new you’re hoping to implement?
