In a small business, when we have our nose to the grindstone on a daily basis, it can sometimes be difficult to come up for air and take a fresh look at what we’re doing.
Equally, with all our other commitments, the days can spin around and there just doesn’t seem any TIME!
We can get distracted by our busy routines. We might think, in the back of our minds, that something needs to change. But we are carried off, paddling madly in our canoes on the rapacious rapids of life.
But the really important thing that must be on our To Do List occasionally is to take stock and ask some questions:
- What is the one thing I can do today to promote my small business?
- Which local shop or group can I pop into to say hello and introduce myself and my skills?
- How could I work smarter and delegate the mundane?
Small Business Saturday
For instance, in the UK on Saturday 5 December it is Small Business Saturday (Tweet @SmallBizSatUK and #SmallBizSatUK) and here’s the link to the website for more details. Why not make a note in your diary for next August to start thinking about how you might get more involved next year?
As a small business, we depend on referrals and testimonials. Big brands have the power of advertising and that works well for them. But for us it is pretty pointless! We have to build our small business from the grass roots up. That is why I often bang on about setting aside a couple of half hours a week to work on the front end of our small business rather than wait until income drops before taking action! That can lead to panic and overwhelm and feel like we’re stuck in sinking sand.
As we near the end of 2015, here’s a short class I made for you to help you get through the festive season and the possible lull of January.
Other ways to promote your small business
Many of you are very active, running, cycling, swimming and goodness knows what else. I have to have a lie down just thinking about it!
But whilst you’re doing all these intensive activities out and about in the parks, streets and gyms of the world, it’s good to get talking to others who are also enjoying these activities. These neighbours are surely your new potential patients just waiting to hear about the benefits of Osteopathy?
Here’s a few ideas that some of my Clients use:
- Run a weekly training class in the run up to a local marathon
- Give a talk to a local cycling group
- Get a t-shirt or fleece embroidered with, for example, ‘John Smith Osteopath’ and wear whilst out exercising.
It takes time for you to get noticed in your niche. People move around so there will constantly be new people in your area who don’t yet know of you.
Building up relationships is critical in a small business because it leads to ‘tipping point’ where your name keeps cropping up and people are drawn to you. Indeed Antipodean Osteopath Alison Simmons said to me this morning. “Thanks Gilly. You’re the Go To Fairy Godmother of Osteopathy”
I have to admit that it brought both a tear to my eye and a chuckle too. So right now I’m off to get my wings embroidered and my wand recalibrated ready to ramp up my small business in the New Year. Toodle pip!
