7 Things to Do When Business is Slow
We always strive for business to be booming, but when we’re running around trying to meet deadlines and stay on top of it all, certain important- yet not pressing- tasks get pushed to the wayside.
When the inevitable slow slump does hit, we’re left feeling panicked and not sure what to do. (I’ve totally been there!) Take a deep breath and enjoy this temporary hiatus. Now is the time to revise your strategies, upgrade your processes, and get organized so your next busy season is even more efficient.
Get ahead of your marketing.
Marketing is an essential task in business that often gets overlooked when we’re on a time crunch. Write a few months’ worth of blog posts and schedule as much as you can ahead of time from Facebook posts to e-newsletters.
Do you have a service or product that isn’t selling? Shine the spotlight its way and promote it more.
Desktop
Mobile
Refresh client welcome packets, print marketing materials, and update your online presence.
When was the last time you took a look at your client welcome packets and print marketing? Is the information still accurate? Do you have updated branding photos- or branding in general!- that should be on there? Is there a better way of connecting to potential customers and explaining your offer through copy? Do a full evaluation and update as needed.
Things to look at:
• Client welcome packets.
• Brochures/rack cards.
• Business cards.
• Post cards.
• Trade show/market booth materials.
• Your website! (Content, design, and SEO.)
• Optimizing your Facebook page and Instagram account. (My mini courses, Facebook Facelift and Instagram Insight, can help you with that!)
Strengthen your skills.
Is there a business book you’ve been dying to read or an online course you’ve been aching to start (or finish)? Slow spells are the greatest opportunity to strengthen our skills, acquire new ones, and get inspired.
Just be sure the course will contribute to what you already offer or will help you grow your business (i.e. marketing courses), and that you have enough money in your business account to cover your expenses, owner’s draws, and the cost of the course.
Read through my What NOT to Do When Your Business is Slow blog post for some helpful questions that can help you determine if you should take that course or not.
Psst! Check out my YouTube channel! I upload a new tutorial every week, and topics covered include Facebook, Instagram, Canva, search engine optimization, and more.
Evaluate your offerings and develop new ones.
Is your offer everything it should be, or is there room for improvement? Is there a product or service your customers has been asking for? Or are you ready to leap into the world of digital products and online courses?
Take this business hiatus and research the possibilities. Once you have adequate answers and a plan, get cracking!
Psst! Make sure your new offer is inline with what you already have and won’t lead to option paralysis. Read through my What NOT to Do When Your Business is Slow blog post for some helpful questions that can help you determine if you create a new offer or not.
Transition to better systems.
Has time been preventing you from switching from bookkeeping on a spreadsheet to Quickbooks? Changing your website platform or doing a mass re-design? Upgrading your e-newsletter platform from Mailchimp to Flodesk?
Switching systems is super time consuming and best done during the off-season.
Plan and set goals.
Have you checked in on your goals lately? While we keep our big hopes and dreams at the forefront of our heart, the steps and goals needed to get there may be a distant memory.
Set specific, concrete goals for your business such as earning $x per month or booking x new clients. And make some plans on how to get there.
As for actually achieving these goals? Click here for a few tips.
Get organized.
Americans waste 2.5 days each year searching for lost items. Along with the actual time spent searching for things, it takes even longer to get back on task. Save yourself future time (especially when you’re short on it) by organizing and decluttering now. Here’s where I get my business organized:
• Desk.
• Paper files.
• Virtual files.
• Deleting old emails and categorizing my inbox into folders.
• Sifting through my planner and making sure I am utilizing my time productively.
• Updating and organizing my passwords.
BONUS: Consider Offering Some Items on Your “No” List
After going through my own slow spell very recently, I was considering applying for a part-time job. But then I had an epiphany: would I rather work for someone else or do work I don’t totally love in my own business?
I’d much rather be working in my own business!
So I decided to take a look at my Yes, No, and Hard No List. This list has evolved over time, but since my “Yeses” weren’t generating the income I needed, I decided to take a look at the items under my “No” list.
Website design was under my “no” list, but I determined that I would feel much happier designing a website than offering a one-on-one consultation, so I made my website design page live on my website.
You can still set boundaries even if you’re stressing about your business income. There are still certain things I used to make money from that I will no longer do, and I won’t work with someone if we’re not a good match. Do what’s best for you and your business.
Slow periods in business can be terrifying, but I like to think of them as a way to take a deep breath and evaluate what’s working and what isn’t. Enjoy the stillness!
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Just getting started in business and looking for a roadmap? Check out my free Begin Your Business online course. We’ll cover everything from pricing to forming an LLC, assembling your team to getting your first clients, and everything in between.
Been around the business block and looking to grow? My Self-Employed School online course provides a deep dive on topics including website SEO and design, e-newsletters, social media, public relations, and more. It all culminates in creating an easy and effective marketing strategy for your business.
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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I receive commissions on purchases made through those links. That being said, I never endorse a product or service that I have not used and loved myself. Promise! Learn more by reading my affiliate disclosure.
