How to Create Your Business Bucket List for 2019

How to Create Your Business Bucket List for 2019

by | Blog, Business Plan

As I’m sure you know, goals are incredibly important to set, not only in your personal life but also for your business.

When you specifically identify where you want to be in the future and how you’d like to grow, you’re able to create plans for achieving success. A bucket list of sorts is an enjoyable way to set goals, meet them, and also have a lot of fun along the way, all while keeping track of your progress.

So, if you’ve been looking for some New Year’s resolutions to get your business booming or even some fun accomplishments to add to your experience, then check out these tips! Here are 6 things to add to your Business Bucket List for 2019, as well as some suggestions on how to build your own personalized list.

Business Bucket List Making For 2019

First things first when creating your business bucket list: you have to undergo a combined time of dreaming and brainstorming. Take out a physical piece of paper or open a new word document on your computer and start writing down all of your ideas for the new year. Remove all limitations and focus on allowing your mind to be as free as possible, jotting down every idea that comes to you as a good goal for your business in this coming year. You’re allowed to edit for feasibility and reasonability later. For now, though, just write down a bunch of ideas!

If you’re having trouble coming up with your own fresh ideas, then consider these six ideas for inspiration:

Start a blog.

But not just any blog about random facts that halfway apply to you and your business. Start one that your desired customers want to read, will read and will want to do business with you because they enjoy the content you create. Make sure to provide good, helpful content. Present yourself as an expert and write about what kindles your passions and what fuels your business (if you already have a blog, then focus on creating better content that will help instigate {fill in the blank} amount of sales per month)!

Get (fill in the blank) new clients!

Look at how many customers you have now and pick a number that’s a lot bigger than that, then work for it! In order for your business to grow, you have to find more clients who will pay for your services, so set your desired number and start building up to it (if you already have the max number of clients you can handle, then start brainstorming ways to make your services even better)!

Beat last year’s profits.

Again, look at the revenue you made last year (you can even break it down month by month if that’s easier) and then beat last year’s numbers! You can do this a variety of ways, but increasing your client base will certainly help (so good thing that’s also on your bucket list).

Revamp your business.

Actually, do that website/branding/logo/etc. revamping you’ve been planning on doing for forever. All the to-do lists that have been piling up in your office and desk drawers actually need to be done, so pull them out and set goals for them! Figure out which tasks are priorities and determine a time they should be accomplished.

Go to a seminar or conference, learn more about your field, and be challenged.

Being a professional takes a lot of effort, especially when it comes to learning the latest trends, gaining new knowledge, and educating yourself in order to remain the professional. Learn from people who are better than you or who have different ideas and never stop challenging yourself to learn more.

Write a book.

Maybe you’re not a writer, but maybe you have a lot of good information to share with others anyway. While a book might sound daunting to write, remember that you have an entire year to accomplish this and that’s a lot of time to get things accomplished when handled correctly!

Once you’ve created a long, beautiful bucket list, it’s time to condense it, edit it, and narrow it down to items that are actually necessary for you to accomplish or beneficial for your business. You should create a timetable for completing these items, determining which of them need to be done by the end of the first month, by the beginning of the summer, by the start of the fall, and so on until you have your priorities and aiming straight for the new year.

For instance, “beating last year’s profits” should definitely have a role in every month’s earnings, but you won’t likely beat the entire goal until the end of the year, so break that huge goal down into manageable pieces and start creating a plan for conquering it. Additionally, if you have decided to initiate “X New Marketing Strategies” for the new year, then you should be sure to plan what they are and when to begin each campaign in order to get them all done at appropriate times

Once you’ve determined your bucket list items and also your timeframes, it might be helpful for you to partner with one of your business buddies in order to

a)) inspire goal-setting, and

b) get some accountability.

We all know how easy it is to completely forget about any and all of our New Year’s resolutions by the time March rolls around, but when it’s your business at stake, it’s important to do better.

After that, plan and start to implement!

If you are looking for ways to streamline and automate your business and add more hours to your day…let’s talk. >Claim your spot here.

Have a great week.
Robyn Bennett

The Secret To Getting Clients (It’s Easier Than You Think!!)

The Secret To Getting Clients (It’s Easier Than You Think!!)

by | Blog

How do I get more clients?

It’s a question we’ve all asked and we all want the answer to. If we could only figure out this key trick, then our business would be set for life! Clients are arguably the most important part of your business because without them, you can’t pay your bills, make payroll, or grow.

Wanting more clients is not only normal but it’s important, but you have to understand that while there’s no magic trick for getting new clients, there is a secret to it, and that’s this:

Hard, smart work.

That’s right. Growing your client base takes some consistent work, but it’s imperative that the work you put in is smart work or else it will just be a waste of time. The smarter you work, the easier it will be since you’ll start seeing the results you want faster. So if you’re looking for some ideas on smart strategies to employ or what to work hard on, consider the following list.

6 Smart Strategies for Getting New Clients

  • Don’t just wait for referrals. ASK for them! Feeling “pushy” is often one of our least favorite things to do as business owners, but if you think about it, referrals are one of the most obvious ways to get more clients! Word-of-mouth is reliable when coupons and social media posts are often a hit-or-miss market. So instead of waiting for your current, happy clients to talk to their friends, try sending them a pleasant email letting them know that you’re looking for more clients and would greatly appreciate a referral from them. It’s not as pushy as you think it is. BONUS: Offer an incentive for giving a referral. A good discount, free product, etc.
  • Network, network, network! This applies to both online and offline. Instead of sitting behind your computer for weeks on end, plan meetings or attend conferences where your potential clients might also go! Be sure you’re LinkedIn profile is up-to-date with accurate information and recent work samples. Be sure all of your contact information is accurate and keep all your online social media platforms, website, and other profiles active and present with recent works, blog posts, or other helpful information. Meet people online and in person, make connections, and keep talking about your business!
  • Stay personal, stay you. Even if you’re just replying to job postings online, it’s important to remain as personal and true to your brand as possible. You and your business are unique, so it’s important to represent them this way and not let yourself fade in with your competition. But also, every potential client you approach is unique and loves being treated that way. Put effort into understanding each potential client and show them how you can help them.
  • Partner with non-competing firms! Teaming up with other businesses that offer complementary services to the ones you offer gives you a lot of opportunities to take advantage of this synergy. It can be incredibly effective in building your business and client base since both businesses get something positive out of the deal. Not only that, but networking and building strong relationships with other businesses and business owners is incredibly beneficial in the long run.
  • Position yourself as the expert. Potential clients should have a reason to come to you for your services, and one of the first steps to building a loyal customer base is being an authority your desired clients can trust. You should provide value for your clients and have knowledge, experience, and understanding that can benefit them.
  • Start a blog and post regular content. Now, you shouldn’t just start posting random blog posts on your website and hope for the best. You should construct smart, helpful content that your desired client will go to for guidance and inspiration. It should solve a problem for your potential client and also encourage them to reach out to you for your services and business. Make sure to write about what they want to read (further presenting yourself as an expert on the topic) and show them that you and your services are worth considering.

If you’re looking for support in your business click here

Have a great week!
Robyn 🙂

How to survive the holidays as a business owner

How to survive the holidays as a business owner

by | Blog

How are you feeling about the holidays?

Are you relaxed, peaceful, and well organized? Or…like many of us…. are you walking along with a feeling of overwhelm?


For many businesses, the holidays are their busy season while for others it’s a season of extreme slowness. No matter what kind of business you run or how many customers you have clamoring for your attention, this time of year tends to present a long list of challenges!

Understanding how to take advantage of this holiday season and preventing it from swallowing you whole is extremely beneficial to your business and your personal well-being. This might mean taking extra time for planning, preparation, and education, but it also means checking out these holiday survival tips that will help you enjoy and profit from this holiday season.

Schedule In Time Off For Yourself

Sometimes when running a business, it’s altogether too easy to forget that you aren’t a robot and it’s okay to take some time off once in awhile. Schedule some time off during this holiday season to spend time with your family and friends, to go on a vacation, or to just chill out, eat good food, and binge watch some Netflix. You’ll be surprised at how much better you’re able to work once you get back to work after your time off! In order to maintain your peace of mind and keep your clients up to date, be sure to let your clients know you’ll be out of the office for a little while to celebrate the holidays. You can do this with an auto-reply email, or a special holiday-greeting email.

Be Generous With your Employees

Just like it’s easy to forget that you aren’t a robot, it can also be difficult to remember what your employees need, want, or would like. Offer them time off as much as you can manage it. They’ll appreciate it and be happier to continue working for you!

Bring On Some Temp Employees/Contractors

If this is your busy season, then do yourself and your full-time employees a favor by hiring some extra help for this flustered time. Many people are open to “temp” work in order to score some holiday cash. This will help you give people time off, and it will also help you better manage the floods of customers and orders.

Say “No”!

When you’re faced with a client who’s asking you to fast-track a new project, to work over the holidays, or simply do more work than you currently have time for, feel free to tell them no. It can be incredibly difficult to do this, especially when considering monetary or networking benefits lost, but you’ll be happier you did when Christmas comes around and you’re actually free to spend it with your family and friends. If the project is incredibly important, consider negotiating to have it delivered by a slightly later deadline or at a lesser quantity. Just be sure not to sacrifice the holidays for work.

Don’t Over-Do the “Holiday Cheer.”

It’s perfectly fine to send your clients holiday cards or even Christmas emails, but if you find yourself feeling obligated to hand-write a card to every one of your clients, you might re-think it. Consider selecting a handful of key business contacts/clients who have impacted your business this year and send them a handwritten note. For the rest, you might consider sending a classy, festive holiday email.

Pop Open A Recliner And Enjoy

This time of year only comes around once, so be intentional about enjoying it. While this might be easier said than done, especially with expenses, taxes, sales, and customers all on your mind, it’s time to put that on hold for a few days. Enjoy your favorite drinks, watch your favorite movies, eat some good food, and listen to music filled with memories. The holidays are meant to be enjoyed, so let yourself do just that.

If you’re looking for some extra help and ways to streamline/automate your business, let’s talk!! Because a lot of people are looking for help this time of year, I’ve opened up some additional slots on my calendar just for you!!

YES, I am ready to streamline my business and increase productivity and profitability!

Have a great week!

Robyn Bennett

P.S. Happy Holidays!

7 Ways to Prepare Your Online Business for the Holidays

7 Ways to Prepare Your Online Business for the Holidays

by | Blog

While it can certainly be confusing why some businesses appear to skip Thanksgiving and go straight into Christmas preparations, there seems to be a good reason for this. Preparing your business for the upcoming holidays is a time-intensive task, and since Christmas is one of the biggest holidays out of the entire year, it makes sense to start these preparations as soon as possible and get a lot of your strategies underway. Some would even argue that it’s a little late to begin your holiday prep, but on the other hand, any holiday prep is beneficial and it’s best to start as soon as you can. While starting today might be considered late by some, it’s still plenty of time to do some great work.

7 Ways to Prepare Your Online Business for the Holidays!

Obviously there are many ways you can prepare your online business for the upcoming holidays, so be sure to spend some deliberate time brainstorming and creating strategies specific to your unique niche, brand, and market. You’re sure to come up with some remarkable ideas that could specifically benefit you and your customers. However, if you’re needing inspiration or lacking some creative juices, check out these ideas:

  1. Offer a holiday discount. Specific holiday-themed discounts can help you get your products or services in front of people already looking to spend money. This is also a great way to get current customers talking to friends and family who have been looking for the things you provide. If your business is selling products but you don’t wish to discount your merchandise, then an excellent discount to offer is free-shipping, or even a discounted next-day-delivery price. People love to avoid shipping costs, so seeing a “free shipping” discount is a really great way to get them to buy from your online store.
  2. Write a festive newsletter. This can be used to bring your customers up to date on current offers, products, services, or more during the holiday time period. This is one of the best ways to reach past customers without a huge amount of effort or money. Newsletters can easily be themed for a holiday, and making sure it looks clean and professional is a great way to get customers to purchase from you.
  3. Write a holiday-themed blog post. Not all of us are writers, but even making an attempt at engaging with your customers can help you exponentially. You could write about practically anything during the holidays, such as your current holiday offers, a list of great present ideas (that include your products or services!), what’s going on at your business during the holidays, or anything else that you think your specific customers and audience will find interesting or beneficial. When writing a blog post, however, always keep in mind the promotions you are trying to offer this holiday season and do your best to make sure your posts are SEO friendly to help drive the right traffic.
  4. Use your social media properly. Your business should always have an active and relevant social media presence, but during the holiday season it is crucial to keep your content relevant in order to get the results you want. There are different ways to use social media depending on what platform you have. Twitter, for instance, is an excellent way to keep your customers up-to-date on latest offers or upcoming events. Facebook is great for actually scheduling events, offering information, and making networking connections. Instagram is perfect if you’re looking to showcase seasonal images of your products, brand, or services. Understanding your social media platform of choice is the best way to use it properly throughout the holidays.
  5. If you have the option, offer to gift-wrap before shipping. It’s possible that this idea won’t apply to your specific business, but if there is any way you can include this option during the holiday season then you should do it. Gift wrapping is festive, exciting, and helpful, so not only is it fun for your customers to receive pre-wrapped presents, but it’s possible that they’re terrible at wrapping presents and want someone else to do it for them anyway! This will also interest the people who are far too busy to gift wrap all of their presents themselves and will greatly appreciate some help.
  6. Do a holiday redesign. Update your social media profile and background photos to holiday-themed pictures. Add holiday banners to your website. Utilize a temporary logo-update that includes holiday themes. Not only will this be a fun change for a little while, but the people visiting your site, social media, sales page, and more will be impressed by your organization and likely be encouraged to purchase from you.
  7. Don’t forget about New Year. New Year’s is right around the corner and there will be a lot of resolutions kicking in along with January 1st. Consider how you can make your business better for the year, but also how you can make it more serviceable and beneficial to your current and potential customers

Remember to sign up for my VIP list where you’ll get access to my Black Friday offer one day before everyone else! Click Here now to sign up!

Have a great day!!

Robyn Bennett

6 Tips For Effective Holiday Marketing!

6 Tips For Effective Holiday Marketing!

by | Blog, Branding, Marketing

The Holidays are practically here! While for many that means Christmas shopping, Thanksgiving meals, and delicious hot cocoa, you still have a business to run. That means that this holiday season consists of more than good food and cool decorations. You have to stay ahead of the game this season, not only keeping your business in front of your customers but doing it in a way that’s appropriate to the season.

Don’t worry, even if you’re just now getting around to holiday marketing, there’s still so much you can do to greatly improve your business sales! Check out these 6 Holiday Marketing Tips to maximize your reach, your profits, and your productivity this holiday season.

6 Tips for Effective Holiday Marketing

#1 Start planning your holiday marketing campaigns as early as possible.

While many recommend that you begin your holiday marketing plans in July, right now it’s November so you don’t exactly have the ability to go back in time. But that in no way means you shouldn’t still plan for holiday campaigns! You should get on it as soon as possible, start creating some killer campaigns that you can complete in the time you have, and then follow through.

#2 Don’t just sell your products; sell your brand.

People know when someone is trying to sell them a product. It’s annoying, pushy, and let’s be honest: there are many products similar to that one, so maybe stop putting all of your efforts into making your product sound so life-changing. You can try to also market your brand. What makes it different? What makes it stand out from your competition? Why are you the best choice? Why would someone care about it this holiday season?

#3 Repetition

Repetition might sound annoying to you, but it sells, so market often. This means sending multiple emails, directing mailers or holiday cards announcing your sales, talking to people about your brand, checking up on old leads, and more. There is an old advertising rule that says repetition is the key to success, so be sure that your repetition is valuable and then go market that thing. Who doesn’t want to hear about Christmas sales more than once?

#4 Create Limited-Time, Short-Term Offers

Create some limited-time offers in order to incentivize your customers to buy now and not wait until later. You have to provide something that people want to buy, but you also have to give them a reason to buy it. While a lot of shopping happens out of necessity or convenience, especially during the holidays, you can help increase your sales by creating a sense of urgency. Limited-time offers should be your friend.

#5 Focus On Your Target Market

Define your niche, identify your target market, and then sell to it, even throughout the holidays. Many businesses fail by trying to sell to anyone and everyone when the sad reality is that not everyone wants what you sell. You should concentrate on marketing your niche products specifically to a highly targeted audience rather than to an unknown abyss of everyone. Learn how to segment your audience, learn about your audience, and sell to them how they want to be sold to. This will save you time, effort, disappointment, and probably money.

#6 Host An Event

If you’re trying to get more customers through your door, then host a holiday season event. This could be a tree-lighting ceremony with free hot chocolate and a visit from Santa Clause, or a stocking-stuffing party with candy and crafts, or really anything else that will interest your audience.

Bonus: Budget-Friendly Holiday Marketing Tips

If you’re trying to minimize your holiday budget, try techniques to encourage multiple sales at once:

  • Customer loyalty cards
  • Referral cards for discounts
  • Family-and-friend coupons
  • Add-on product options at checkout

You can also try partnering with businesses in your community to help boost sales since they’re likely to be seeking ways to increase their profits as well! Try things like cross-promoting, referral agreements, product-sharing, or more!

Have a great week!

Robyn Bennett

 

PS: I want to offer you a chance to jump on the VIP waitlist and be among the FIRST to access my Black Friday offer before I launch it. Click here to get on the VIP waitlist today: Being on the VIP list means you will get access to the details on my Black Friday special offer before everyone else!