Top 100 lessons for my “100th Blogiversary”
Although I spend the majority of my time helping clients strategize and take action to achieve their business goals, I have learned so much about what really works for small business owners. There’s an expansion of knowledge on both sides of the client relationship. In honor of my blogging milestone, I want to share my top 100 lessons for my “100th blogiversary.”
Creating systems in your business keeps you from constantly reinventing the wheel.
There’s a ripple effect among small business owners. Your impact is so much greater than you often realize.
Telling someone else you’re going to do something actually does increase the odds that you will.
Breaking down projects into small tasks is the best way to get into action.
Working through your processes and breaking things down into small tasks makes it much easier to delegate.
Sometimes the first computer “platform” (such as a CRM) that you try isn’t the one for you and you may have to go through a few of them.
It’s easier to stay focused on a goal for three months than it is for 12 months.
Atomic Habits is a best-seller for a reason. It’s the small habits that will lead to big success - such as reaching out to three contacts every day.
You should take the time to recognize your wins. Celebrating is important.
Not having 24x7 availability doesn’t mean people won’t book calls with you. They will work with your availability.
You can start taking off Friday afternoons this week. It doesn’t need to be something you build up to for years.
Planning ahead makes you more confident.
13. You have to prioritize working ON your business.
14. Tackling too many goals at once makes it harder to get anything done.
15. It’s more about work-life blending than work-life balance when you’re an entrepreneur.
16. You need to work with clients 1:1 before you can run group programs - you need to work out your process, and understand the results you are helping them with and all the things they are going through before you 10x it - or 5x it.
17. Blogging is a great strategy - it provides fresh content on your website which is important for your SEO and the content can be used in social media and email. Great bang for your buck.
18. Each Friday, “closing” your schedule for the following week means you can really plan your time with no surprise meetings or calls showing up on your calendar.
19. Setting your “end” time for the day first thing in the morning is incredibly empowering.
20. Social media platforms constantly change their rules, best practices, etc. Accept it and work to stay on top of it (or hire someone).
21. Make sure that images you use on social media and on your website, etc. are free to use (not copyrighted). You likely know someone who has had to pay fines for this.
22. At any given time, people are doing the best they can. Practice grace.
23. If you have young children, arrange some level of childcare so you have SOME time for uninterrupted calls or work.
24. Stay on top of your bookkeeping - recreating your whole year in March/April is no fun.
25. Plan content ahead of time - less stressful and can be more strategic.
26. Learning to set and hold boundaries is crucial.
27. A weekly planning practice is the best way to take control of your time.
28. If you respond to email after hours or on weekends - schedule it to send the next business day.
29. You’re never too small to pay attention to the legal issues in your business.
30. Network without agenda - you never know where a referral will come from.
31. Have some sort of system for tracking your contacts.
32. Time block your most important priorities.
33. Make sure your contract comes from an attorney (and not someone selling CRM systems).
34. Take time to think through your onboarding process to ensure an extraordinary client experience.
35. Make sure asking clients for testimonials and Google Reviews is baked into your process somewhere.
36. If you need permission to do something in your business - boom - I just gave it to you.
37. The 90-day rule is a real thing. What you are doing - or not doing - today is going to impact you most in 90 days. Keep that in mind in terms of networking and following up with contacts.
38. Everyone should use an automated scheduler. Everyone.
39. Almost everyone takes off the last two weeks of December.
40. If you are motivated by carrots - then set yourself up for that - choose a reward and get to work.
41. Having systems in place will help you get back on track faster after unexpected illnesses or other breaks.
42. Mapping out your customer journey helps you optimize the process and your client interactions.
43. Develop a tribe. Being a solo business owner is tough enough - you need support.
44. If your onboarding process involves lots of proposals and contracts, implement a CRM system to streamline this process.
45. Before you build a website, invest in branding.
46. Time studies always yield valuable insights.
47. You have to spend some time on engagement to optimize your social media strategy.
48. Service-based small business owners are often terrible about doing for their own business what they are so good at doing for others. Don’t worry about it - just try to take small steps in the right direction.
49. Customer service is as important in small businesses as it is with the cable company or large banks.
50. Accountability actually does help you get things done.
51. Use data to make decisions.
52. You can’t think your way to clarity. Action leads to clarity.
53. Presenting proposals live is better than sending them off in an email.
54. A solid morning routine makes for a more intentional and productive day.
55. If you’re not happy with the direction your business is going, you can always change things - your offers, your target client, or the way you provide your service.
56. Setting a timer when you’re on social media keeps you from spending hours in unproductive scrolling.
57. Do whatever you can to reduce daily decision-making such as systems, processes, and automation.
58. Templates for often-used emails will save you time.
59. Organize your files - your Google Drive, your Canva, your desktop - otherwise, you spend WAY too much time looking for things.
60. Having your onboarding process nailed down will provide more confidence in the sales process because you know what you’re going to do with that client when they say “yes.”
61. Get your processes in line before you hire a VA - then you’ll know what you need that person to do.
62. A good sense of humor is a MUST for a small business owner. You need to be able to laugh AT yourself and laugh WITH your clients and colleagues.
63. Knowing your “why” helps you through the hard times.
64. Relationships are key to your success and they don’t happen by themselves - you have to put effort and time into them.
65. If someone sends you a referral or does something for free, at a minimum, send them a thank you email.
66. Discovery calls are more about listening than selling.
67. If you don’t hold your boundaries, you will be drained, angry at yourself, and resentful of whoever is pushing at them.
68. Take a few minutes every day or at least every week to clean off your desk.
69. Back up your computer.
70. Meal planning is sooooo worth it. Yes, it takes some time. But the time and decision-making you save on a daily basis is worth it.
71. Be aware of the time of day when you are best for focused work, writing, or being more creative, and schedule yourself accordingly.
72. Learning is great - but at some point, you need to take action with what you’re learning.
73. It’s ok to do things on paper if that works better for you - not everything has to be online.
74. Hire a graphic designer for your visual branding.
75. If you’re more of a big-picture visionary, hire someone to help you with the details. You can’t “wing” a long-term, sustainable business.
76. Social media has a relatively short shelf life - it’s not worth it to spend tons of time tweaking it - this is a good place to employ the B- rule. Get it to B- and then let it go.
77. Your headline on LinkedIn is valuable property; having the name of your company and “owner” isn’t doing anything for you. You need strategic keywords.
78. Don’t underestimate the power of sitting on the floor with a flipchart and colored pens - it’s a great way to unleash your creativity and genius.
79. Trust your intuition.
80. A good accountability partner can elevate your business.
81. Comparison is not your friend. You need to keep your blinders on and stay in your lane.
82. Everyone but you does not have their act together.
83. Your personal and business calendars need to be integrated.
84. Dedicate time to learn how to talk about your business and how to introduce yourself.
85. If you’re not very technical, find someone you can call on when the need arises.
86. Set key expectations as part of your onboarding process with new clients.
87. Knowing your values brings you clarity and helps you make decisions.
88. You have to be comfortable with failure. You’re going to make a ton of mistakes.
89. Self-care is not just about spa days. Know what you need to keep your energy up.
90. Spend some time on an emergency plan for your business.
91. Block time to follow up after networking events and meetings.
92. Nothing great happens inside your comfort zone - be open to being uncomfortable.
93. If you don’t schedule time for it, it won’t get done.
94. Publishing your pricing or “packages start at xyz” streamlines your sales process; it allows those without the budget to self-select out.
95. People are always more interested in the personal and behind-the-scenes content.
96. If you hire an expert, do what they tell you.
97. Action comes before motivation. If you “don’t feel like it” - do something small to get you into motion. Keep going. The motivation will come.
98. A handwritten note in the mail is very impactful.
99. If you’re going to use Zoom, have a paid account. Being cut off at 40 minutes is not very professional.
100. If you don’t know where to start on a project, you need to spend some time breaking it down into smaller action steps.
Every day is a learning opportunity and I’m grateful for what I’ve learned from working with clients and have been able to share with others.
What can we learn from each other? Let’s schedule a time to chat and find out.