On your marks – how you can prepare for when the world opens for business
In these uncertain times, I know that for some small business owners, work has really slowed down. This could be disheartening but I would encourage you to prepare yourself for when the world opens up for business again. I want to be ready to go. I want to have completed all the admin that’s been following me round on to do lists for weeks (let’s be honest, maybe even years).
The desire to achieve all this is there but I accept that the situation at home may prevent me ploughing ahead – two children, a husband and a dog at home is not always conducive to productivity! I reckon though that if I can snatch the odd thirty minutes here and there, then I can tick off some of these items. They might resonate with you and if they do, I’d encourage you to crack on where you can so that you’re ready for that starting pistol when it’s fired.
Accounts
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak’s COVID-19 measures for the self-employed have given us all extra impetus to make sure that we have filed our self-assessments for the tax year 2018/19. You have until April 24th 2020, by the way.
The end of the tax year 2019/20 has also been and gone (it was 5th April 2020) so why not submit that one too? I know it’s mind boggling to consider doing it before January 2021 but think how good you’ll feel and how ahead of the game you’ll be!
Social media
For me, when it comes to social media I need to:
· Check that all the branding is the same across platforms
· Check bios and any other information that I could populate
· Develop more of a strategy rather than ‘hitting and hoping’! I’ve been on courses for this so I just need to revisit what I learnt and put it into practice.
I also need to revisit my LinkedIn profile (click here and connect with me, why don’t you?!). I wrote it a long time ago and quite a bit has changed. Definitely one to start on now. (If you’re feeling stuck with this, do contact me as I can help you write yours.)
One of the things I’m going to request from clients are testimonials and reviews which boost your profile on LinkedIn and Facebook and, of course, work really well on websites too. Prospective clients like to read that you come recommended and it also provides them with an insight into the kind of work you’ve done before. If you’ve done some work for me and would like a review, do make sure you contact me for one!
If you’re really unsure about social media, now is the time to revisit it and decide whether it’s for you. There are lots of free tutorials out there which can help you to get started without any commitment.
Website
It’s the same old story isn’t it? I contribute to so many other people’s websites (web copy, ghost written blogs, proofreading existing copy) that I tend to neglect my own, which isn’t right. As my client Marie Brown says of Beyond the Kitchen Table, “Your website is the shop window into your business,” and mine needs re-dressing!
It needs a refresh (more photos), more blogs and some more information on the services I offer. All of this will help with SEO as well as actually telling people more about what I do and how I work.
Is your website up to date? Are you happy with the functionality? Does your business need a shop window redressing?!
Is your website the shop window it should be?
Training
I promised myself some training or personal development each quarter and I’m taking goal setting with a business coach in January as Q1’s session. For Q2, I’d like to try something more technical and something which will give me a qualification at the end of it.
Whatever your business, there’s so much training out there that it can be quite overwhelming. Not only do you need to factor in the time element for study but also the cost and whether the effort and cost will benefit you proportionately once it’s complete.
If you don’t want to pursue the route of formal training, you might want to consider delving (or just dipping) into some business help books. I was a little sceptical of this kind of book but after listening to two via Audible, I have changed my mind. Both really struck a nerve with me and although they definitely do not constitute training in the literal sense, they have helped me reprogramme my brain to approach things differently.
These are the items at the top of my list but if you need further inspiration of how you could prepare for when we’re all up and running, here are some other suggestions.
Volunteer
At the moment, the work that I do for clients gives me added purpose. It’s helping life to feel normal and if I didn’t have it, I think I’d feel a little lost.
I was speaking to a graphic designer friend last week who was telling me that she felt at a loose end as all of her work had dried up. I suggested that she offer her services for free to local charities that might be looking for a revamped logo or a new marketing campaign in these hard times.
Whatever your business, skill or area of expertise, you could do this and gain from it in several ways:
· You retrieve the sense of purpose that you’re perhaps lacking.
· You contribute to a good cause that otherwise might not be able to afford you.
· You add to your portfolio.
· You add to your network which could lead to recommendations and other (perhaps paid) work further down the line.
· You’re left feeling warm and fuzzy because, quite frankly, you did a good thing.
Go online
Many businesses live by the adage, “People buy from people” and take it quite literally to mean in-person customer interaction. But with us all now staying at home, we are having to adapt and take our businesses online.
This may seem daunting at first but like most things, it just takes practice and then you’re off. Before COVID-19, I used to reject any suggestion of meeting via zoom or other video conferencing and now I’m considering upgrading to a monthly subscription, I’m using it so much! Going online could be the key to you keeping your business afloat through this crisis.
Taking your networking online could be another wise step and might suit those that don’t like networking in person. From the comfort of your own home, with your own mug and favourite biscuit, you could meet and chat to other business owners who are currently in the same position as you. These connections could provide advice when times are tough but could also become clients, either now or in the future. Don’t let lockdown, stop you from building professional relationships.
If you’re feeling low or unsure as to how you can benefit your business at the moment, I hope these ideas have inspired you. Networking groups are also great for support and new perspectives and a business coach is a great investment, as is a mentor.
Good luck over the next few weeks and months and do contact me if I can help with any of the above. I hope that you’re ready on the blocks when GB opens for business once more.
Now, back to my accounts …