Are you staying awake at night worried that business has dried up and you desperately need to get more work in the door? Maybe it’s worth taking a step back, and appreciating this time as a way to grow both personally and professionally.
Running your own business can be a bit of a roller coaster. One minute you are drowning in things to do, and the next you are freaking out about getting new clients and work, worrying how you will pay that next bill.
Don’t panic. We’ve got some tips to make the best use of those quiet times.
Never seem desperate
One of the first things many business owners do when they hit a quiet period is to launch into heavy sales pitch mode. Nothing is more off-putting to clients than being hounded by a business – for a start, customers want to work with people who are great at what they do and sounding desperate could quite possibly send the wrong message.
Try reaching out to your existing clients, database and followers with a deal or special offer to make them feel loved and to show them you care. You could also try some extra promotion to nudge things along, but do so in a way that is on brand, and consistent with your business’s personality.
Practice gratitude
While everything might not be as good as you’d like right now, there are probably many things to be grateful for. Think about your best customers and reflect on how you’ve helped them. Be grateful that they have chosen you, and invested their time, money and energy into supporting you and your staff.
Surround yourself with loved ones, family and friends, and never be afraid to take advice.
It may sound cliché, but try to stay positive. A little positivity goes a long way, and like karma, you’ll find that energy will come right back to you.
Invest in yourself
Be selfish, and focus on you. Take the time for yourself, read that book you’ve been meaning to get to, and upskill with that online course you’ve been putting off for months.
This is the perfect time to do that dreaded ‘networking’ thing. There are many groups and events in Brisbane targeted to businesses like yours. Visit Meetup to search for the nearest one near you. Worst case scenario, it’s not all about getting new clients or work; it’s about getting out there, meeting like-minded people and making new contacts that may potentially be fruitful in future.
Develop good habits
Developing good habits set you up for the rest of your life. Start doing meditation in the morning, walk the dog each day, eat a healthy diet. Now’s the time to do it. Just watch out that you don’t fill your plate with too many things, or else you’ll never stay on track.
Get creative
Your business should be in a constant state of evolution. Use this down time to work on the business, better understand your perfect customers and their wants and needs. Think and plan how you can better solve their problems. What new product or service can you offer to fix their pain points? Explore those ideas that you’ve had on the back burner, you never know, you may just come across the perfect idea to take your business to the next level.
Quiet times are important for small business owners and entrepreneurs – they give you the space you need to work on the business and not in it. Slow down, reflect, be creative, and grow personally as well as professionally.
Make the most of your down-time! Chances are it won’t stay quiet for long.