8 Ways to Improve Your Biz (That Don’t Include Social Media)
Anyone else in a social media daze from the hours spent scrolling, posting, algorithm-ing and engaging, as if it’s the only way to grow a business?
Welp, here is your call back to reality, YES having a social presence is important — and if you do feel overwhelmed and want to offload some of the burden check out our services and let’s talk!
But the honest truth is, spending our days and energy hoping to drum up interest on social media simply isn’t always the best use of our time as business owners. There are so many components to running a successful business. So let’s dive into a few other places to focus your energy that might just have a bigger impact than time spent on the ‘gram.
1. Email Marketing
Lot’s of businesses start out on social platforms like Instagram these days. And no wonder, they are a great tool to reach people! But you don’t want to find yourself up the creek without a way to reach your audience if something goes awry.
Email marketing is such an effective way to communicate. First off, if someone has electively subscribed to receive your emails they are pretty invested in what you offer! Our advice — reward them for that. Brainstorm creative ways to incentivise your community into becoming subscribers. Once you have a direct line of communication you can offer them exclusive access to restocks of your shop, codes and resources. And if we’ve gotten you into the subscribing mood, get on the VVITCH list!
2. Improve SEO
If you’re not familiar, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) refers to how your website performs in search result rankings on Google and other search engines. The boiled-down-in-a-cauldron takeaway about SEO is providing relevant content for your viewer, so that when they open up Google and search a relevant keyword you pop up! SEO is all about balance, and if this all sounds intimidating, snag our FREE SEO guide to help get you started!
3. Invest in Education
Be a student of your craft. Is there something new in your industry that you could be in the first wave of implementing? Basics to brush up on? Maybe it’s business running education like project management software that would be game a changer for you. Now we know we said we weren’t talking social media, AND WE’RE NOT! But if social media education IS something you’ve been looking to invest in, you’ll want to know more about our Social Media Strategy Course.
We are always champions for diversity, so first and foremost we would recommend researching BIPOC and LGBTQ+ folks in your industry and prioritizing any applicable education they offer, especially if you are looking to invest in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training.
A common pushback on investing in education is finding the “right time”. Timing is important, especially if you want to get the most out of the opportunity. You may want to have focused time over the course of a week to participate in education, or you might prefer to be able to work at your own pace. What we have seen is that many online trainings and courses allow access to the content for an extended period of time which helps combat the need for perfect timing! At the end of the day don’t put off something that could make a significant impact on your business.
4. Actively Seek Inspiration
Keyword here is “actively”, yep that’s a call to action, folks! Physically go out and find or rediscover what inspires you. Remember why you started, what your vision is, decide what next step you can take and take it! Inspiration is a finicky concept to encourage someone to, but the fact of the matter is that feeling inspired plays a huge role in keeping us going. Our challenge here is to go find it, don’t make the mistake of sitting on your couch hoping inspiration will stop by to see you.
Because in the famous worlds of Elizabeth Gilbert, “Inspiration finds you working.”
5. Make More Products/Get More Clients
Pretty much a direct link to improving your business. Do you need to restock your inventory? Plan next season’s products or offerings? If you need a sign to step away from the impulse to share on social media so you can spend a day actually making the thing that you promote and sell, this is it.
6. Expand your Perspective
It’s all too easy to find yourself stuck in a rut or trying to keep up in a rat race. Sometimes the best thing you can do for both you and your business is to find some new perspective. Maybe that means jumping in the car and driving to the mountains or the ocean, feeling small has a way of helping us reorient. Try consuming (reading or listening!) to a book that opens your eyes, meet with a mentor that can pour into you, and seek perspective from someone that both lives in and views this world differently than you.
Ask yourself, “What would it look like to challenge your established perspective in your business?”
7. Make Connections
Connections make the world go around, in our personal life and in our businesses. Our Challenge: Spend a whole day reaching out to connections for your business to start that relationship!
Reach out to potential partners, such as retail locations, photographers, suppliers or anyone that you would like to potentially work with in the future.
Connect with past customers. How can you show some above and beyond customer service? You just may get a glowing review or discover a pain point in their experience!
Think of every connection you make as a long term investment, some may be instant and some may need fostering, but one day down the road undoubtedly they will come into play in a big way. Mark our words, you’ll be glad you spent that day reaching out.
8. Take a Nap
Because, if you haven’t heard, hustle culture is cancelled and you don’t have to explain why you need rest.
More Advice to Build Your Brand:
Meet the Author
Connor Bernard, Copywriter
Connor has worked in both advertising agencies and internal creative departments alike on clients ranging from tech to food and beverage and even a few state agencies. She shares her passion between writing and ceramic art, so you'll likely find her either behind the keys or on the wheel making something beautiful.
