3 Ways To Maximize Your Belated (Slow) Season In Business
I’ve had my fair share of slow seasons if I’m being honest. After writing a previous blog post, Understanding the Three Seasons of Business: A Guide for Budding Entrepreneurs, it prompted so many different ideas, conversations, and insights about what many of us experience during our slow seasons in business. From this point forward, I will be referring to the “slow” season as our “belated” season just so things are consistent.
Experiencing a belated season can be overwhelming and stressful. Instead of feeling overwhelmed and upset about a smaller client roster, I want you to get clear on how to make the most of your time during this season.
In this blog post, I want to talk with you about a few ways you can maximize your belated season and turn it into a winning opportunity to set yourself up for success. So, let's dive right in and make the most of your downtime!
Reflect, Refocus, Recharge:
Remember those dreams and goals you had when you started your business? Well, now's the perfect time to revisit them! Belated seasons provide an excellent opportunity for reflection, by giving you a chance to evaluate your progress, reevaluate your strategies, and realign your focus. Take some time to sit back, relax, and analyze where you are, where you want to be, and how you plan to get there.
Can we touch on the rest portion really quickly?
Too many of us are overworking ourselves in business and lack boundaries. Your belated season is the time for getting new structures and routines in place. After all, we know your client is going to pick back up soon it’s just a matter of when. By going ahead and implementing new routines and schedules you have a better chance of having better work-life harmony when things get busy again.
As I mentioned earlier, I am not new to those slower seasons in business. One of my first belated seasons really made me question my approach. During that time, I took a step back to reflect on my own brand and marketing strategies. I realized that I had been spreading myself too thin by offering a wide range of services instead of focusing on my unique expertise. By refocusing my efforts on my core strengths and niche, I was able to recharge my business and attract clients who appreciated my specialized knowledge.
Learn, Innovate, Evolve:
In the fast-paced world we live in, it's easy to fall behind on industry trends and all of the advancements. However, a slow season can serve as the perfect time to brush up on your skills, learn something new, stay ahead of the curve, implement new strategies, and more! Embrace your inner student and explore online courses, webinars, workshops, or services that align with the goals you plan to accomplish for your business. By investing in your knowledge and expanding your skill set, you'll be well-equipped to bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions to the table.
If you don’t have the money to invest in those types of resources, don’t worry, you STILL have options. This is the time to research and test things out as you go. Now this will require more time on your part, but it’s definitely doable.
During a recent belated season, I decided to take my own advice and invest in my professional development. This included me enrolling in a program that taught me how to package my knowledge in a unique way and working with my mentor 1:1 to get clear on my strategy and how I wanted to grow my business. As a result, I was able to innovate my consulting approach, providing unique strategies that resonated with my clients' target audience.
Network, Collaborate, Connect:
The power of networking cannot be underestimated, and your belated season presents a unique opportunity to build meaningful connections within your industry and expand visibility for your business. Attend industry conferences, join professional groups, and really get to know the community you have already built. This is also a great time to collaborate with other businesses that complement your services or products, and explore potential partnerships that can benefit both parties. Remember, sometimes it's not just about what you know, but rather who you know.
In one of my belated seasons, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and join a networking group, get back into speaking, and spend more time focusing on expanding the reach of my business. During that time I was able to expand my network, book different features, and get in front of more ideal clients than I could have imagined.
Remember, downtime doesn't have to be a downer; it can be the perfect opportunity for growth, transformation, and connection. Reflect on your journey, invest in your knowledge.