Do these 7 things every year to keep your business healthy

Apr 1

Almost every business has it’s season. Here in the North Carolina Mountains we’re blessed [or cursed] with a very seasonal lifestyle. I struggled in the early years of my wedding planning business with the balance of going from super busy to literally nothing happening for 5 months out of the year. These days I’ve learned to lean into winter and love the slow season. Part of that is trusting that the business WILL come and the other part is using the slower times for creative work and cleaning up the “business side” of my business.

important things to do every year to keep your business healthy

Here are a few areas that are important areas to nurture each year:

1] Networking

In our digital world, face to face connections have a larger impact than ever before. Whether it’s local chamber of commerce or event pro meet and greets or grabbing coffee or a quick zoom with local pro’s you work with [or want to work with]. There’s no better way to attract your ideal client than to put your actual self out there in the world.

2] Web Updates

You don’t need a complete rebrand every year but it’s important to read over your website and social media copy every year to make sure it still reflects who you are. Switching out photos and changing around some words is great for SEO and keeps your content fresh and new.

3] Continuing Education

There is so much of it out there these days so be sure to find something that really rings true to you before you make the investment. If you’re in the early years of your business without loads of extra money to invest, there are plenty of free resources out there as well. Learning new skills will not only keep you sharp and relevant, it keeps creativity moving so you don’t get stagnant and burnt out.

4] Finances

Either hire a professional or take the time to know your numbers so that you can be strategic with making moves towards growth. I finally hired a bookkeeping firm after years of just guessing and following my gut because I’m not a numbers person.

5] Assessments and Goal Setting with Employees

[Or yourself if you don’t have any employees.] Employees appreciate knowing when they’re doing a good job. They want to hit the mile markers set forth for success but without regular check ins, success can feel like a moving target.

You’ll want to affirm where your employee is thriving and then identify areas for growth, find out more ways in which you can offer support and address any potentially negative issues before they become problems. Clarity is key and making these check-ins a two way street goes a long way in ensuring long term commitment and happiness from your team.

6] Batching Blogs and Social Media Content

Everyone has a different marketing plan. For us, this looks like following up with photographers to obtain photos from our events, making sure we have the correct vendor tags and then processing the events for blogging or social media.

7] Don’t forget to rest and take care of yourself

I forget this constantly but find it worth saying. If your business is seasonal, you’ll need to rest your brain and your body in order to fill up your cup for the season ahead. If you’re in any kind of service based industry you know that the work is emotionally draining and if you’re depleted, it’s hard to be there for your clients. Give yourself kindness and grace and even the occasional nap.