Tips for When Business is Slow
IF YOU ARE LIKE MOST PEOPLE, YOU WILL HAVE LIKELY EXPERIENCED THE JOYS OF THE EBBS AND FLOWS IN SMALL BUSINESS OWNERSHIP…
When business is good, it’s really good. When business is slow, it gets so hard. The constant worry of coming up with enough income for the week or month, the stress of wondering where your next client will come from, and maybe even wondering if you should find a “stable” full-time job.
It can seems as though the ebb comes out of nowhere - a shift in energy, a creative block, a virus, etc. My biggest block lasted almost 6 months and stemmed from an ended business relationship. I have included a list of a few things that I have done that seemed to have helped during these slow times.
Use the extra time to get creative. Create a new product or service. My Etsy shop has been my lifeline during one of the most challenging times in my business.
Sometimes an event can cause a disruption in energy. My unforeseen event happen in late spring and I am just now (October) feeling like I am ready to move on from it. Trauma, shifts in relationships, illness, etc. can throw all throw wrench in our flow in seconds. It is important to work through what caused the shift and allow yourself time to process it. These times are inevitable in life and it is important to be prepared, such as having multiple streams of income, when this happens.
Run an ad on social media.
Reach out to past clients to see if they need any work or if they could refer anyone to you. Many times, the relationships you build with clients are deep and they become friends or family to you. They want to help - just ask.
Learn a new skill that could be incorporated into your business.
Host a course or workshop.
Network - Join a networking group to meet new people.
Run a sale.
Move 27 items in your house or office. By doing this, you are activating energy around you and removing stagnant energy. You can also learn more about where your career and wealth areas are in your home and business to make a few changes.
Give yourself grace and remember that the next flow is just around the corner.
And, sometimes we just need time to recharge and you don’t have the energy to be creative or be proactive in attracting clients. And, that is okay. Trust that you will be realigned when the time is right, pray for guidance, and ask for help.
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