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With 2015 just on the horizon, I have been thinking a lot about what sorts of resolutions I want to make as a business owner. December is the perfect month to reflect upon what we’ve learned the past year to make even better choices in the coming year. Amidst all the parties, elementary school recitals, and holiday networking, I find solace in putting aside some time for reflection. Start by making a list of what went well this year and what you can improve on. Maybe you tried out a new marketing tactic that worked especially well — do more of that in 2015. Maybe you partnered with someone new that didn’t exactly deliver — now you know what to look for in a partnership.
Once you’ve done your fair share of reflecting, make a list of resolutions to aim for in 2015. Here’s what’s on my list, and what every entrepreneur should be thinking about going into 2015:
When you’re feeling stuck with your business and like you don’t know which way to turn to seek out new customers, look to partners. With each year I am in business, I believe more and more that partner relationships are a huge key in running a successful business. No matter how small in scale the partnership is, it can reap huge benefits for your (and their) business. Even if the two of you simply swap blog posts once a month, your businesses are introduced to entirely new audiences that you both might not have otherwise been introduced to were you not cross-blogging. Besides gaining a new blogging audience, you’re also gaining new, unique content for your blog that you don’t have to write!
Though I always practice an open-door policy welcoming any of my employees into my office whenever they need me (unless I’m in a meeting), I realize that there is a separation between us, simply because I’m not in the same physical room as most of them on a regular basis. Being in a different office, I miss out on the little day-to-day interactions and getting a first-hand look at how everyone interacts. So lately I’ve been working out on the floor for a good part of the day. I’ve also found that my employees will ask me questions, ask for my help or opinions more often when I sit out on the floor — which is something I enjoy. I definitely plan on making a habit of it in 2015.
With something as ever-changing as marketing, you have to have an adventurous attitude towards the whole thing. Since no one really knows the best formula (as it is constantly changing), you just have to keep trying different marketing strategies until something works for your business. Recently we’ve been experimenting more with things like paid Facebook advertising and trying different press release distribution options. We’re starting to figure out what really works for us in terms of getting clicks at the lowest possible cost. But I’ve realized that you have to experiment and throw some money around to find a good fit.
Deborah Sweeney is the CEO of MyCorporation.com. MyCorporation is a leader in online legal filing services for entrepreneurs and businesses, providing start-up bundles that include corporation and LLC formation, registered agent, DBA, and trademark & copyright filing services. MyCorporation does all the work, making the business formation and maintenance quick and painless, so business owners can focus on what they do best. Follow her on Google+ and on Twitter @mycorporation.
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