Easy Updates to Make Your Business Run Even Smoother
Are you taking care of your business? If you're nodding your head and checking client-related tasks off your to-do list, that's an excellent start. But beyond your clients, don’t forget to consider other crucial areas, like your workflows and systems.
Think of your company as if it’s a vehicle. It gets you from one destination to another but requires routine maintenance to keep it up. In the same way, your business requires upkeep to continue running efficiently and boost operations.
From marketing tasks and communication channels to automation, there are many simple updates you can implement to ensure everything runs seamlessly. Wondering where to begin? Here are six easy updates industry pros recommend to improve your business.
Review your business goals
You're ready to optimize your operations, but that's only possible with a clear roadmap. So first, "assess yourself (and your business) monthly or quarterly to see where you stand on your business goals," recommends wedding photographer Jennifer Sulak of Weirdo Weddings. This reflection will provide a compass for navigating updates moving forward.
A reminder on your calendar to evaluate your goals allows you to "stay focused, keep on your pathway, and ultimately bring success to the overall dream of your business," Sulak explains.
Whether you're a solopreneur or lead a team, applying this practice can be easy. All you have to do is "set a meeting time up at an appropriate time that is most beneficial to everyone receiving the new information and procedures," Sulak shares.
A team meeting reviewing goals and next steps will ensure everyone is on the same wavelength and committed to the company’s mission.
Create a marketing to-do list
If you struggle with marketing, Enji’s Tayler Cusick Hollman suggests writing down your marketing tasks. Although it seems like a simple solution, she points out that "it's hard to hold yourself (or someone else) accountable for something that only lives in your head."
Instead, take time to organize your marketing to-dos by writing them down. A physical list will act as a concrete reminder.
To start this process, "block 30 to 60 minutes on your calendar once a month to think about your upcoming marketing tasks, get them documented, and make sure anyone who is helping you complete them knows what they are responsible for and when," Hollman advises.
For additional support, consider hiring a virtual assistant (VA) to organize duties and marketing experts to take the burden off your plate so you can focus on your priorities.
Clarify your positioning
After reviewing your business goals, revisit your positioning. Vijay Goel of Bite Catering Couture describes positioning changes as "figuring out where you're going to say no to free up the time and resources that allow you to better serve your target customers."
Take this opportunity to ask yourself if there are areas you're exerting too much time and energy. Are you serving the right customers? If the answer is no, it's time to adjust your positioning online.
"A clear H1 tag on your website laying out what you do and who your target customer is can go a long way in helping you find the people you love to work with," Goel reveals.
You can also dive more into your assets and programs to attract the right market. Ultimately, clarity is vital, so as you explore your website, determine if your messaging and positioning align with your ideal client.
Update your website
In addition to clarifying your positioning, updating your website regularly is necessary. "Going through your website every few months ensures all links work and that connecting with you is seamless when clients land on your page," expresses Monika Kreinberg of Furever Us.
Clients prefer a hassle-free experience, so set yourself up for success by ensuring your website works properly and is easy to maneuver.
For instance, "adding an inquiry form linked to your booking system can be an effective tool to ensure you do not lose any potential clients," claims Kreinberg.
To improve your site, Kreinberg recommends having "team members go through your website as if they were clients and let them advise on how you can become more efficient."
Use your staff's feedback to update your online presence and hook customers.
Attend to your communication channels
Email is a business staple for communication. However, it can quickly become disorganized when left unattended, contributing to ongoing overwhelm. With a cluttered inbox, you also risk missing important client messages, damaging your professional relationships, reputation, and bottom line.
Sulak provides this solution: "Clean out your email inbox!" Dispose of spam emails and newsletters to focus on your clients’ and team's needs. Then, "make some filters for your business that gets the right emails to the right places," Sulak adds. Think of your inbox as a virtual filing cabinet – you want to find everything you need with a single click.
If you're not a fan of communicating with your staff through email, you can use other communication channels, like "Slack and Asana to keep everyone on the same page," states Megan Breukelman of Megan & Kenneth.
"If you work with multiple teammates, it's so important to have a system to keep everyone aligned," Breukelman stresses.
Do you have a system in place for communicating with your team about projects? If not, consider researching programs that support this.
Implement automation and tech solutions
When running your business, are small tasks disrupting your workflow or adding more to your to-do list? The good news is that you can cut responsibilities in half by incorporating automation and new technology.
Nora Sheils of Rock Paper Coin and Bridal Bliss asserts that "small, easy solutions, whether through platforms, apps, or automation, can save your team time." With fewer manual tasks taking up your time, you can welcome more clients and offer an excellent experience.
Agreeing with Sheils, Breukelman confirms that "automation is key. Automating repetitive tasks like scheduling appointments or sending invoices will give you more time to focus on the fun stuff."
In addition, Sheils commends the efficiency of modern tech solutions, highlighting that "not only will it reduce your workload, but when set up well, there is no room for human error, and it will allow for more efficiency."
Set aside time to review your to-do list and determine if automation or new tech solutions can save you time. You can also gain insight from your team to see if other areas require tech updates.
The updating process can feel daunting, especially if you're comfortable with your existing routine, tools, or software. Yet, change can transform how you run your business and ensure you continue to support your clients without burning out.
So take the first step and assess your business. What are your goals? How's your marketing strategy, and are you targeting the right clients? Are there tasks that slow down your workflow? Once you get in the habit of refreshing your business, you can sit back and watch as your business carries on like a well-oiled machine.
Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker, adjunct professor in the field of public relations, and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.
