Now that pandemic restrictions are beginning to lift, and the economy is starting to return to normal, this is the perfect time to make meaningful changes to your business. Rather than proceeding by doing things as you’ve always done them, you can devise a powerful strategy that can make 2021 your best year yet.
If you are looking for new ways to increase ROI, keep your staff happy and healthy, and grow your business, there are specific strategies that you should seriously consider implementing. Rocket Driver shares their top tips for making your business even more potent than it was pre-pandemic.
Establish/update your goals for the short and long-term
How long has it been since you’ve revisited the short and long-term goals for your organization? If it has been a while, now is the time to update them. Decide what you’d like to achieve over the next six months, one year, and five years. Be sure to include an action plan that lists specific and measurable actions and how you plan to reach those goals.
If you’ve not yet established new goals since the pandemic started, you must do this ASAP. Operating a business without any goals is a dangerous approach. When you have no accurate measurement of what “success” looks like for your organization, you have no way to know if your business is doing well. Having up-to-date goals for both the immediate future and the long-term will give each day purpose and help you make the best possible business decisions.
Start reputation management services
Nowadays, it is easier than ever before to receive a bad review — even if your business did nothing wrong. For no fault of your own, someone can post a Google, Facebook, or Yelp review that can paint a less-than-desirable (yet untrue) image of your business. This can happen for various reasons, including misunderstandings on the part of the customer or unrealistic expectations.
Because of this risk, it is crucial to have an experienced team that can help you navigate bad reviews when they appear. Timely responses that support managing your reputation in the eyes of the public are essential. Additionally, it is also important to proactively work on acquiring positive reviews from satisfied customers. Reach out to Rocket Driver to get top-tier reputation management on your side.
Consider updating your business structure
Were you a newer business owner at the start of the pandemic? If so, your business structure needs may have shifted in the past year. Those who started as sole proprietors will want to research the benefits of forming an LLC. Whether you are restarting a dissolved business or want additional protection for your existing company, forming an LLC is almost always a wise move. This one change can make tax time easier, give you greater flexibility, and shield your personal finances.
So how to register an LLC in NY? You’ll find that a DIY approach or a formation service is the quickest and least expensive filing option. You will also find that state-specific rules and regulations vary, so make sure to do your due diligence to do it right and get approved.
Update your website
Unless you recently (within the last few months) completed a website update, it pays to at least do a basic check of the content you have posted. A surprising number of businesses leave up old holiday specials throughout the year or forget to post new offerings. Old content can give the impression that you’ve gone out of business or that you don’t provide timely service.
Since most people rely heavily on information from your website, make simple edits and updates right away. Doing so can significantly increase your sales and enhance the perception of your business.
Enlist the help of an SEO expert
If you don’t have a solid SEO strategy for your website, you miss out. SEO (or search engine optimization) is the practice of using keywords, meta descriptions, and other tools to boost your business’s website on each search engine. SEO best practices are constantly changing and require in-depth research to grasp fully. However, to get a competitive advantage over other businesses, these practices are a must.
Instead of trying to become an overnight SEO expert, again, enlist the help of a team that can fully optimize your entire website. This move will save you time and ultimately lead to excellent ROI.
Take care of yourself and your staff
When it comes to growing a business, most entrepreneurs focus solely on strategies that directly impact the bottom line. However, one of the most important things you can do for your organization is also one of the most overlooked and underrated: taking care of yourself and your employees.
Burnout, high turnover, and chronic stress are all factors that can majorly affect your business’s finances. If you or your employees have direct interactions with customers, you may feel even more stressed with the higher rates of complaints and poor behavior occurring. Depending on the individual needs of your staff, please do what you can to give them extra time off or extra incentives to care for their physical and mental health.
Use video on social media as your primary method of engagement
On all social media platforms, video is king. It is no longer practical to post text and photos as your sole source of content. Strive to engage with your audience by posting fun and informative videos that add value to your customers’ lives.
Reach out to past clients who may be ready to do business again
Are there clients or customers who used to be regulars before the pandemic? Reach out to these individuals (if possible) to see how they are doing and see if they are ready to work with your business again. When leveraging this strategy, use your best judgment in how you communicate. Avoid giving the impression that you are only reaching out to increase your sales. Also, if you know, one of your customers or clients went through something difficult during the pandemic, use the utmost sensitivity if you choose to reach out.
Whether you use all or some of the above strategies, now is the time to breathe new life into your business. Invigorate your current strategy and efforts, and aim to make the rest of this year profitable and growth-minded.