So, you started your business with excitement about all of the possibilities, only to find yourself overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. Trust me, we’ve all been there. Which is exactly why today I’m chatting about three things to consider if you find yourself in that situation so that you can move forward and create the impact you’ve been dreaming of. Sound like something you need? Well then, let’s get to it.
Links for This Episode
Podcast Episode Recommendations
- #55: How to Design a Marketing Strategy That Works for YOUR Business
- #48: Have 5 Minutes? 7 Ways to Use Small Pockets of Time to Grow Your Business
- #46: Streamline Your Online Business: 3 Templates To Create ASAP for Business Growth
- #24: Too Little Time? Use This Strategy to Get More Done as a Busy Mama
Need Help with Strategy?
Before we jump into this episode, I wanted to let you know that I have just a few more openings for Mama Business Strategy Sessions this month. Here’s the deal: in order to have a successful business, you have to have paying clients and customers. That means, knowing who your ideal client is and how to reach them, understanding why your client should choose you over the competition, and designing marketing systems that work to generate leads – over and over again – without sacrificing your family. That’s exactly what a one-hour Mama Business Strategy is designed to help you do. After the session, you’ll be able to make your first sale (or 10th) without feeling salesy, sleazy, or annoying everyone you know on social media. Overcome decision paralysis when it comes to the practical and technical side of running your business. And sleep well at night knowing you don’t have to do “all the things” in order to be successful. Plus, you’ll know the next right action step to take to jumpstart the next phase of your business life. Sound like something you need? Schedule your session today at sarahbrumley.com/strategy.
3 Things to Consider When You Aren’t Sure What to Do Next in Business
Well hey there and welcome back to another episode of the Mama Business podcast. I’m really glad you’re here.
Today’s conversation actually comes from a mama I worked with this past week. She’s in the beginning phase of getting her business off the ground and, while she knows there are things she should do, she’s struggling with how to determine what to do next when it comes to getting her marketing strategies and systems up and running.
And, that’s something that we were able to clearly line out for her in a Mama Business Strategy Session – so if you want that kind of support, you can snag yours as well at sarahbrumley.com/strategy, but in a general sense of things, I wanted to give you a few things to consider if you find yourself in the same – or similar situation because I know from experience that there’s no worse feeling than wanting to see that business growth, but not being sure how to get it OR even if you’re doing enough.
So, without further ado, let’s jump into three things to consider when you aren’t sure what to do next in your business.
Step #1: Don’t Add Something New
The first thing I want you to consider is not to add anything new. Just because you feel like you aren’t sure what to do next, doesn’t mean you need to add another platform OR another product or service. Okay?
Don’t. Do. It.
I know in the early days of my own business, it was tempting to “get bored” or not know what to do necessarily, and then I’d do something like Google “how to grow a business” and then be down the rabbit hole with a new platform or tech piece or even an offer that I never really wanted to sell. The result of that is tons of time and money wasted, and no real growth. I promise, you won’t see growth if you are adding something just for the sake of adding it.
So, don’t use “not knowing what to do” as an excuse to add something you weren’t planning on adding to begin with.
Of course, it could be that you are at the very beginning of setting up your systems and processes, so you might be missing foundational piece. If so, then this MIGHT be the time for you do implement one of those.
And if you aren’t sure what those foundational pieces are – the things EVERY online business owner needs, you can check out episode 55 all about that very topic. Trust me, you’ll want to make sure those things are in place and REALLY working before you move forward with something else.
So, first thing: don’t add something new.
Step #2: Look at What’s Working (And Not)
The second thing to consider is what’s working and what’s not in your business as it sits. If you find that you are doing an amazing job at consistently creating content, then give yourself a pat on the back. Seriously, we all can use a little encouragement, even if it’s just from ourselves, right?
On the flip side of that, if you notice that it’s been awhile since your email list has heard from you – then maybe the next best thing is to send them an email.
Some of the questions you could ask yourself include;
- Are you consistently creating content? If not, write a blog post or publish a podcast episode.
- Are you converting listeners or readers to email subscribers? If not, audit your CTAs.
- Is your onboarding process for new clients off putting to them? If not, audit your templates and connections so that it DOES work.
- Has your calendar filled up with things that no longer interest you or aren’t a good return on investment? If so, put a plan in place to eliminate them.
Of course, if you don’t have one of those foundational pieces in place – then you can definitely consider that as something that’s not working.
If you find that there are multiple things that need attention, make a list and prioritize which of those are most critical. And then, the next time you aren’t sure what to do next, you can continue to work down the list.
So, the first thing is not to add anything new and the second thing is to look at what’s working and not. Which brings us to the third thing which is…
Step #3: Don’t Just Spin. Do Something.
I’m serious here. DO SOMETHING. Because the sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll see growth.
Find someone to be accountable to and start working through building that business foundation, auditing your existing business programs and strategies and looking for anything that’s out of sorts. If you know there’s a specific thing you aren’t doing well with – like creating content, keeping in contact with your email subscribers, or just plain booking sessions with your ideal clients, then focus on that. Because that’s where the growth really happens.
If you feel like you are all caught up and have a well oiled machine of a business, then great, you can use the time to get a little further ahead by creating a few new pieces of content or scheduling some emails or whatever else might help.
OR, take a break and head outside with the kids. That’s why you started this business, right? So you could have more time with your family? So, when the opportunity presents itself, then don’t hesitate to take it. This is your permission slip to do just that.
No matter what you do, though, don’t allow yourself to spin in inactivity. That’s a pattern of behavior we definitely don’t want to create within our business practice. I promise.
What Will You Do Next in Business?
And that brings us to the action part of this episode. I’m a huge proponent of taking action, because action is where the dreams turn into the reality.
TODAY’S ACTION STEP: Use the process to determine your next best step. It doesn’t have to be a grand thing – just one thing you can do to move the needle. And, if you are struggling to figure out what that is, head to sarahbrumley.com/strategy to snag a Mama Business Strategy Session so we can work through this together.
Either way mama, know that I’m cheering you on throughout this process. Have an amazing day and I’ll chat with you next time.
