Don’t Be Your Own Worst Client
Running a small business can mean wearing many hats. This can include running your business, doing the books, managing employees and attempting your own marketing all in a day’s work. In the day-to-day grind, it is easy to allow your marketing to fall to the bottom of the priority list, and a year later, you realize you’re no further than you were before. If you’re ready to stop being your own worst client, here are some tips to get you on track.
Tips to Stop Being Your Own Worst Client
How many times have you thought to yourself, “if only I had done X, then Y would have happened!” It’s time to stop the cycle of big dreams and big disappointments. This can mean realizing you can’t handle it all yourself – and that it’s time to get some help. And that’s okay!
Be realistic
If you’re an entrepreneur, that means you’re a dreamer. There’s nothing wrong with dreaming big, but when it comes to making those dreams happen, don’t get in your own way. Stop being your own worst client by making sure you are setting goals that are actually attainable. Getting 10k followers on Instagram in a month can be pretty difficult if you don’t have the time already for it, so set a realistic time frame or follower count. That way, when a month goes by, you won’t be disappointed with yourself and abandon all efforts. Start slow to see what your capabilities are before you start making big goals.
Make a plan
Once you’ve established a realistic goal, make a plan for it. How are you going to achieve it? How much time per day are you willing to dedicate to it? Create a plan with actual dates and milestones, then schedule the time into your calendar and stick to it. If you’re realizing that you might not have the time or know how to make a plan, this can mean hiring a marketing agency to do the heavy lifting for you. Be objective and resist diving right in without establishing a clear plan – this can get you right back into procrastinating once the excitement wears off.
Get accountable
Give someone else permission to keep you accountable. Pay attention to their nudges and schedule meetings with them to make sure you are staying on track. If you’re working with a marketing agency, keep in contact with them to make sure they have everything they need to make sure you are successful. However the plan is being executed, it’s important that there is a key point person to approve or deny things. Make sure you allow someone to tell you “no”, they could just be trying to keep you from jumping ahead or falling behind on the plan you already established.
Reward yourself
This is the fun part! Did you hit your goal? Pass a milestone? Reward yourself! This can be treating the team to lunch or happy hour, or even a financial incentive. It will keep everyone working hard to reach the dangling carrot, and is much more positive than suffering consequences if goals are not met.
