I’m not sure how, but we’re already halfway through September.
We’re heading into the last 3 and a half months of the year. It can feel a bit daunting, and some might think, “What’s the point? Let’s just wait until next year to start X.”
But honestly, I’m feeling pretty hopeful about this final part of the year. I’m going to give it my all, achieve some goals, and end the year on a high note.
If you’re in the same mindset as me, this blog post will motivate you to face the last quarter of the year! Let’s do this!
Planning Ahead
We’re entering one of the busiest seasons for businesses, and to make the most of it, we need a solid plan.
As you know, I like to break down my goals and objectives into 90-day plans. This helps me track my progress and gives me a more realistic timeline for achieving my goals. I also keep smaller weekly to-do lists, which I love because checking things off keeps me motivated!
The key is to set realistic goals and focus on what truly matters. It’s important to cut out the non-essential tasks. One thing I’ve learned about myself is that I lose focus when I try to juggle too many things at once. So, I’ve decided to focus on just one main priority and stick to it. It’s tough, but I know it’ll make a big difference.
Focus on the tasks that will move you forward and improve your efficiency.
What’s your focus right now? Is it pitching, reaching out to new businesses, or prepping products for the next few months? What tasks can you push to the side that aren’t really necessary right now?
Take a moment to write down what you want, and how to get there in the most efficient way possible.
A Content Calendar Designed for You
I know we’re just saying goodbye to summer, but as a business owner, it’s time to start thinking ahead.
Yes, I’m talking about the most wonderful time of the year—Christmas!
Christmas is a key period when sales usually spike, so it’s important to plan ahead to make the most of it.
But you might be thinking, “I don’t celebrate Christmas!” And that’s fine! You may have other celebrations or important dates to focus on.
Have you heard of the term Content Calendar?
A content calendar is basically a schedule for planning the content and campaigns for your business.
These calendars include upcoming events, important dates, and celebrations that could be important for your business.
You can easily find one by googling “Content Calendar 2024 UK.” I took a look at a few, and there are so many dates and celebrations to choose from!
Just be sure the calendar you use aligns with your location or audience, as dates can vary depending on where you live.
Content calendars are great for helping you pick out celebrations that will resonate with your audience and grow your business.
For example, if you run a coffee shop, mark down International Coffee Day and create a campaign or special offer around it!
Incorporating these events into your content can help you connect with your audience, increasing engagement on social media, and ultimately, boosting sales. These can give you great ideas when creating content!
There are so many different celebrations to choose from, so be selective and choose the ones that make sense for your business. Pick your dates, and start planning and creating your content! 😊
A Bank of Images for Your Business
Once you’ve mapped out your campaigns, celebrations, and other key events, it’s time to start talking about them. And for that, you’ll need content—pictures, graphics, and more.
That’s where having a bank of images for your business comes in handy.
Having a bank of images ready to go for the coming months will keep you organized and help you stay consistent.
Trust me, you don’t want to be running around every week trying to find the perfect picture to represent your business.
I’ve been there, and it stressed me out! Not only that, but I didn’t achieve the consistent look I wanted for my brand. Instead, I had a mix-and-match collection of images that probably confused my ideal customers more than anything!
So I would say if you are creating your own content, schedule some days, perhaps a week, and focus only on that. Write down what you want to talk about, do some research, look for some inspiration on Pinterest and decide which type of content you want to create.
If you don’t have the time, energy, or interest… consider outsourcing your photography/content.
Time is money in the entrepreneurial world, so think about the best ways to use this precious time.
Investing in professional photography means you’ll get high-quality, on-brand images that are edited in a similar style. This ensures consistency across your website, social media, and email content.
Staying consistent will send a clear message to your ideal customers: you’re reliable and there for them. And because of that, they’ll remember you when they need your product or service.
Conclusion
Remember, planning ahead is key—it’ll save you so many headaches!
By marking down important dates and having images ready, you’ll be able to enjoy these key moments without the last-minute stress. No more rushing to create something just because you were in a hurry! You’ll be able to show up professionally on social media, in newsletters, and beyond—stress-free.
I’m currently offering a Content Creation Service to help you produce engaging content for your brand so you don’t have to worry about it. It is fun, it is quick and efficient. Get in touch with me if you are interested here.
Let me know if you found this blog useful! :)
Laura
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