It is hard to believe that the first month of 2019 is behind us and we’re now into February.  Was the first month of 2019 good for you and your business?  Did you kick off the year the way you set out to or did you feel yourself getting a little off-track?  Either way, now is a good time to evaluate what you can do to make sure the next month and year go the way you envisioned.

Here are a few strategies to consider that may spark new energy into your business this year and help you maintain momentum.

• Evaluate your marketing materials. Take a minute to look at your website, social media channels, and business card to see if they need to be freshened up.  Pretend you are a potential client who is inquiring about your services, do your marketing messages answer the questions you would be seeking?  Do you like what you see?  Are your graphics, photos, colors, or fonts outdated?  If so, a few minor tweaks can make all the difference. For example, I recently updated my logo after 20 years. While my old logo had substantial brand recognition, it also didn’t align with the site and was beginning to look stale. The new logo matches the color scheme of the website and helps pull all my marketing collateral together.

• Reconnect with past clients. This is usually my first order of business at the beginning of every year. I recommend going through your past client list and highlighting those that you enjoyed working with. Invite those clients to lunch or coffee to catch up.  Ask about new projects they are working on and offer your help and insight. In just the past month, I discovered that several of my past clients have initiatives that could benefit from public relations support.

• Scout for new talent/resources. I am always on the look-out for new connections that might add value to my firm or my clients. The beginning of the year is a great time to cultivate these new resources because it provides you with new assets you can market to clients. Even people who bring talents and skills that are completely unrelated to my business are great to keep in mind as referrals when my clients are looking for services my firm can’t provide. Connecting my clients with people who can help them reach their goals is a big part of what I bring to the table.

• Find or create a group of like-minded people.  For example, I am part of a group of entrepreneurial women called the Power Tribe.  This group consists of women who have owned their business for at least 20 years.  It is a network of women who provide support, encouragement, new insights, resources, and connections. It’s wonderful to be able to bounce ideas off these experienced women and get valuable feedback to help overcome challenges in my business.

It’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed and stuck at the beginning of the year. I hope these ideas provide you with new motivation and get you headed in the right direction.