Leaping into 2016: 7 Habits That Changed My Business in 2015

According to Twitter,  #newyearsresolutionin5words is trending this week which originally prompted me to write this blog. Like many of you, I am eager to hit the ground running on January 1st with thoughts of business plans, calorie counting and organized closets. 

I realize with the word resolution, comes yet another R word - Reboot.  To me, this signifies a do-over and the chance for us to get it right. I've always been all rainbows and butterflies when it comes to this. New endings lead to new beginnings, and all that good stuff. However, as I approach the later part of my fourth decade, I realize another R word has to come into play before we start this transgression of newness and getting it right.

It's to Reflect.

So before I get to the resolutions, it's important to see how 2015 went, after all. Funny thing is - I realized that what I listed below almost never happened. So I thought it was important to spend time this year (before jotting down that mega to do list for 2016) and do a little walk down memory lane.

Feeling inspired by my friend John White and his blog, The 7 Things I Did for the First Time in 2015, here is my list of the 7 things I learned in 2015 (plus a bonus one.) To me, one of the most important things I have learned about being an entrepreneur, is to take inventory each year - what has worked, what hasn't and create a plan based on the prior two factors. A reflection of my professional journey, of sorts.

Life is about learning - both in and out of the office. So here's what I learned this year.

1. Face to Face Interaction
As a social media consultant, this may sound hypocritical. I am continually training and teaching my clients how to use social networks such as LinkedIn to build relationships. However, nothing solidifies a relationship than face to face interaction. 

Sending emails, an inbox or two, and a newsletter is a great way to connect, but don't make it the only way you connect.

What I have learned, is that social networking helps to extend that relationship - but it goes much deeper than that. When given the opportunity, meet with the client in person. If that isn't an option (and in my case I have clients all over the U.S.) a phone call or Skype session works.

But nothing can replace conversation - especially in person. 

I have realized that one of the things I crave, and miss at times, is feeling like part of a team. Although I am part of many teams (working with companies, my family, friends) what entrepreneurs can miss out on is feeling like they are part of something. Many of us work from home, or have an office where there may not be a big staff greeting you when you walk in, like people who are part of a company.

Especially if you have your own business, have a team. I wrote about his about a year ago with my article - Building Your Dream Team.

Make sure you have professional support system that allows you to feel like you are part of something outside of your own professional world. 

2. Take Marketing Seriously
I have what I call Marketing Monday. I can't remember if I dubbed this term or I learned it from someone else. Nevertheless, this is something I have stuck to in over 10 years of business. This is the time where I sit down at my table with laptop, materials spread out and a list. I review my client list, a list of referrals and potential leads. I was religious with this when I first started my business. I never scheduled appointments on Mondays.

I used at least half the day on Monday as a means of steadily making calls, sending emails, social media marketing planning and blogging and concentrating on my career goals. 

The problem is, the hours for Marketing Monday (or any other time you designate for your marketing) can suffer when you have bigger projects that need that time. Deadlines to make, new clients and other people's needs tend to take precedence over this what seems to be "free time." Unfortunately, what is a common trap for entrepreneurs is to let this marketing time go to the wayside when we are busy. Then, when the big projects come to a close, you are left with having to restart your marketing plan that should have been steadily flowing during the busy times.

I found this to be the case this year. The good news is - Marketing Monday is back in full swing - even though today is Thursday as I write this. 

Whether it's Marketing Monday or Follow Up Friday (see below), make sure you set aside hours during your busy schedule to continue to market your products and/or services - no matter how busy you are.

3. Make Follow Up a Daily Ritual
Many of you may be shaking your head with this one. I know, it may seem pushy to send that email again. However, what I have learned if there is no response to an email or phone call following a consultation or an inquiry about my services, much of the time it was due to that person's busy schedule.

I cannot tell you how many times I have been thanked for sending a follow up email after some time had gone by with speaking to a potential client. In fact, I had one client tell me that was one of the reason's they hired me is due to the fact I continually checked in to see how the new business was doing. (He is in the process of launching a very cool, new project).

Genuinely speaking, I care about my clients and potential clients. When we meet for the first time and they tell me about their goals, I become invested in their future - even if they decide to go another route. My advice to anyone who may have a potential lead or client, reach out to the person in a genuine manner asking how their business (etc) is going and you are looking forward to hearing from them.  

Just lose the sales pitch.

4. Tell Them You Want the Job/Project
This one is a biggie. My brother gave me these words of wisdom this year when I came across a business I truly wanted to work with but wasn't sure they had a social networking need they wanted to fulfill. He said to me, "Just email XXX and tell them quite honestly that you welcome the opportunity to be on their team." I have to admit, this made me a bit nervous to do but it truly made sense to me. And the best part, when I presented my idea to this company via that email, they were eager to move forward. 

I remember getting a note from someone back in the day that heard about my company and wrote something similar. Although I was not hiring at that time, I will never forgot how that email made me feel. I was flattered and kept that email for reference in case I heard about a job opening where that position needed someone with similar qualifications. 

Jake taking the leap

If you want the job, be straightforward, take the leap and tell them. And tell them why you want to work for them - honestly.

4. Don't Be a Facebook Faker
I came up with the term a few years ago when I knew someone personally who was not the professional who they portrayed online - including their Facebook page. There is no bigger turn off (to me) than pretending to be something behind the computer screen that you are not in person. I believe everyone has their strengths - and that is what social media marketing is all about. Use those strengths to attract the business that you want. 

Be honest with your story. Be honest with who you are. Be authentic. 

I spoke in depth about this at a seminar I held at Monmouth University this year. I reiterated to the students the need to have their social platforms reflect their personal brand.

The same rings true for professionals. 

By doing this, you will only build on the above when you meet those potential clients and customers. The idea of social media marketing is to share who you are with your audience so there are no (bad) surprises when you work together only good building blocks to a solid as well as positive work relationship. 

MU Presentation 

One of the tools I use when I meet with a client for the first time is I have them fill out an outline to help identify their strengths, their professional focus/goals and what kind business they hope to attract. The key is to have all of those answers align with one another. That way, we always come back to the strengths and use them as a starting point for our marketing plan.

This escalated a bit in 2015 because social media continues to grow in leaps in bounds. Be yourself when you are on and offline. It's that simple.

5. Keep Track of Your Time
I am guilty of this. What was a 90 minute meeting with a client turns out to be over two hours. Luckily, I always give myself a buffer in between meetings so the next client does not have to wait. However, when you do this, you are giving away YOUR time. From the start, make it clear how long the meetings will run with a client and schedule the time accordingly. Don't be afraid to bill for the time, as well.

When you value your time, others will, too.

When I first started my business, I was drastically going over time with clients and not billing accordingly. I went home exhausted with my billable hours out of sync. I realize there is a belief system that goes along with this. We must believe our time is worth it - and it is. 

I was giving away my lunch hours, time with my kids, as well time I could be working on independent projects. This is a common trap for entrepreneurs. Be wary on where your time is spent. Know where it goes at all time and identify times in your day you need to get back. For me, it was Marketing Monday and a Patti Wellness Plan (see #7).

6. Say Thank You
As your business builds, so do your referrals. I am lucky enough to have a large portion of my business come from a referral from a friend, client or former colleague, since I work in the same town that I have lived in for the past 35 years. I realize the importance more than ever to send a quick thank you to those people who were kind of enough to recommend me.

Never underestimate the power of a thank you. Make this a weekly practice.

7. You Are Stronger, Smarter and More Resilient Than You Think
Quite often - especially this year as my business grew - I had moments when I was questioning myself, my skill set and, simply put, whether I could do it. Most of the time, this occurred when I was referred to a large company or a client with an extensive - and prestigious - professional background. We all have those little self-doubt demons that creep out in the wee hours of the morning when we can't sleep.

I am no different - but I have a few tools on how to tell them to take a hike.

First, when I am presented with a chance that challenges me when I have to leave my comfort zone, I have a little conversation with myself. I simply say, "They are coming to you for a reason" and go from there.

I think with each year you have your business your confidence grows because you are constantly putting yourself in situations that are uncomfortable (but in a good way) and then you have more experience in those leaving your comfort zone moments.

Don't overcomplicate things when you are asked to reach for the next level professionally. Don't self-sabotage yourself, either. Remind yourself that you are being asked to do a proposal, meet with the company, etc. based on your reputation and/or a referral. This means that good things have been said about you! Focus on that, your strengths, what you can bring to the table others cannot and go from there. It all boils down to confidence - in your abilities and performance.

And you can do it because I did. 

8. (Bonus Tip) Place Your Wellness First
The most challenging days for me this past year were mostly following the days when I didn't have enough rest. Nothing substitutes a good night's sleep and the feeling you have when you take care of yourself. I faced mini-bouts of burn-out this year that I quickly realized. Placing everyone needs before your own only leads to compromise - of your personal and professional life. Eventually, your performance will take its toll at work and you will lose clients.

Like many of you, this year held some challenges the had the potential to throw me off balance. I remedied this by placing extra emphasis on wellness (realizing it was a stressful time and taking extra good care of myself) only gave me more strength to deal with the situation. I took up yoga, I started going to bed an hour earlier and getting up an hour earlier to go to the gym. It was life changing.

jogging path

For me, 2015 was an awakening, of sorts. I woke up to the fact that to be useful to anyone else, I had to take care of myself first. I can't reiterate that too much of our time is wasted worrying about what we can't do, self-doubt and getting in our own way. I feel as though I broke through those barriers this year and realize to get to the next level, you have to BELIEVE in yourself in your ability. And you need to make this a daily practice - always.

It's essential to continue to learn while you build relationships. Listen to the world around you - what your clients need, how you can help them and use those as stepping stones. Take care of yourself first.

Most of all, have a direction. You know the saying, "you need to know where you want to go in order to get there?" Have a plan and go from there. Be willing to take the steps on a continual basis to get there in a consistent manner where you continually assess and grow.

It's really that simple. And always, no matter what, be willing to take that leap out of that comfort zone.

You will always be in the same place if you never take the first step.

Happy New Year! 

“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.”
Brad Paisley

About Patti Phelan Clapp

As a digital strategist and online branding consultant, I assist various businesses and corporations to creatively market their brand online while continually focusing on overall business goals and target audience.

My passion is to combine my experience teaching as an adjunct college professor, writer, entrepreneur and marketing with my love of online media.

In doing this, I train employees at select corporations as to how to put a strategy together to systematically share their content and tell their story amongst their vast array of employees that will directly build more traffic to their website. To read more about this, refer to my Social Media Executive Training Program.

Simply put, I help my clients to tell their story to build an online referral network in a unique and creative manner to find new business. Feel free to send me an inbox or an email at [email protected]. I would be happy to talk to you about how to leverage your online branding campaign.