29 December Tips to Keep Growing in 2021 December 29, 2020 By sma Business Tips, Franchise business growth, inspection industry, small business 0 TIPS TO KEEP GROWING IN 2021 December 29, 2020 | Franchise, Business Tips | small business, business growth, inspection industry By Kimberly Stevens, NPI, Inc.'s Marketing Coach As we head into the new year, now’s the time to start planning for more growth in 2021. Following the events of the past months, the forecast for how small businesses will operate has dramatically shifted. Here are a few of the things you can implement over the next 12 months to stay on track and achieve your goals. Dig in with your social media. It can’t be stated enough how crucial a strong social media presence is to grow your business. This last year especially showed how much your digital accounts factor into keeping your company afloat during uncertain times. Looking ahead, it's only going to become more important that entrepreneurs leverage their social media. Twenty percent of consumers are likely to choose a brand that they can reach on social media, meaning that you’re missing out if you’re not online. Take the time this year to revisit and rebuild your social media to get the most out of it. Nail down those customer reviews. Going hand in hand with a strong online presence, collecting reviews also needs to be part of your plan. Almost 90 percent of customers read reviews before making a purchasing decision, with over half of those looking at reviews from Google. If you hardly have any reviews, or more negative than positive ones, customers are less likely to pick you. This year, make it a point to stay on top of gathering reviews and make an effort to promote them on your website and social media. Hire on to lighten your workload. Believe it or not, there’s such a thing as having too much business. This is definitely not a bad problem, but it might seem overwhelming if you’re a one-person operation. Turning down business can stunt your growth in the long run, and if you find yourself doing it consistently then it’s time to hire. It can take time to find the perfect fit for you and your business. Yet in the end, you’ll be less stressed and grow your bottom line. Don’t forget to diversify. Much like being a one person show, being a one dimensional business also hinders your progress. Putting all of your eggs in one basket can be a recipe for disaster if business falls off. Diversifying allows you manage risk easier and can also make you more attractive to potential clients when compared to your competition. Of course, it’s also important that you diversify the correct way. Help other experts in your industry. To really showcase that you’re an expert in your field, share what you know with others. This is also a great way to market yourself to a wider audience within your area. In the inspection industry, continuing education or CE courses let you build relationships with agents around you. They’re highly adaptable for Zoom or Skype, so you can still hold classes even if you can’t meet in person. New courses are consistently being added, giving you the most relevant information to enhance your courses. (If you’re not a public speaker, don’t worry! These tips can help you become a more confident and tactful presenter.) Get your affairs in order. Staying organized and on top of everything is oftentimes easier said than done. Balancing your personal life and your business can be hectic, and being pulled in different directions leads to frustration and stress. Proper time management provides you with the right structure your business needs to move forward. You’ll be able to plan out your future better and see issues before they happen. Make it a habit this year to improve your organization and reel in your business’s loose ends. Take control of the next 365 days! Set the goal for yourself to make 2021 your year. Leverage these tips to really take your business to the next level! If you ever need advice on what steps to take, don’t hesitate to reach out to the home office at 402-333-9807! About the Author Kimberly Stevens, Marketing Coach The baby of eight children, Kimberly learned quickly to master the art of communication in order to be heard. She has been with NPI for more than 15 years and is passionate about getting to know our franchisees. Kimberly is a certified marketing and business coach, trainer and speaker, leading training seminars, one-to-one coaching and more. She's a high-energy, fiery red head and an eternal optimist. Her greatest joy is celebrating our franchisees’ victories! Comments are closed.