Change!

By changing your approach to your business you may be able to have more fun and bring in cash at the same time. Whenever my business it a slump, I realized it was because I wasn’t having FUN! As a creative entrepreneur, that’s probably vital to your success as well.

Summer slump is a perfect time for SMARTcut Solution #4. Try a different product presentation, have a sale, do a mailing (email or snail mail).

For direct sales businesses:

1. Have a banana split party.

2. Create a “CAMP MOM” theme.

3. Give “un-birthday” parties for your hostesses.

4. Do a special drawing for a “goodie” related to your biz.

For on line businesses:

1. Have a virtual “party” (tele-class or webinar).

2. Give everyone on your list a BONUS offer.

3. Bundle some products for a special summer sale.

4. Name your event something “summery”.

Reach our in new ways and your business will feel the refreshing change of summer.

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• Clearing out the Clutter
• Stopping Summer Sabotage-Part 5 of 6
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Admit it.

Your head and your heart are just feeling different during the summer. You were programed in your youth to want to take a break now. Somehow you just got used to having several months out of school for summer vacation. Even now you long for those lazy days full of play.

It’s ok. Give yourself permission! Keep reminding yourself, however, that there still ARE people spending money and using services all year long. They didn’t all go to the beach for two months. If you keep up some contacts for your business you’ll find there is still business to feed your bank account.

Stay tuned for part 4 with some ideas for making summer business more fun!

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• Stopping Summer Sabotage- Part 6 of 6
• Stopping Summer Sabotage-Part 2 of 6
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Adjust!

Summer is a perfect time to try a new “rhythm” (aka schedule). When we were home schooling we used this pattern to combine productivity with play. It’s also a good way to approach summer scheduling.

Our “work days” were Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the traditiona school year. On these days you may want to schedule your work time and the kids’ activity time (see yesterday’s post on keeping kids occupied).

We used Tuesday and Thursday for our “catch up days” to do the family maintenance chores like laundry, shopping and housekeeping. For summer schedules these days might be the “day off” times for spending time doing things with your kids. Go to the park, the pool or  make snow cones. After all, you work from home so you can enjoy that quality time with your kids, right?

Try using a “day on” and a “day off” sequence this summer. It doesn’t matter if you do the MWF for work or play. Do what works for your family and your business.

If your business demands that you work daily, try my friend Mary’s approach. She spends the first hour of the morning with her daughter, then works for three. Her daughter knows she will have time to herself during Mom’s work time.

Mary takes a full hour for lunch with her daughter so there’s time to cook, eat and enjoy bonding time. Then it’s back to work for Mom’s second three hour work block. Just getting a “rhythm” to your work with help you be more accountable to your tasks AND help your child(ren) know what to expect. A lot of struggle will be eliminated by giving clear expectations to your family when you chose to work from home.

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It’s summer and the vacation mindset is filling the heads of entrepreneurs around the world. This seasonal change brings on a mood revival and a hunger for slow lazy days of summer.

All this makes it hard to keep your business blooming while the kids are out of school and it seems like the world is on vacation. Do you feel like nobody wants to book parties, buy products or even answer the phone? Well, if so, you aren’t alone. It’s a repeating story playing in every BizMom’s head.

What’s a gal to do to get some income? Here’s the first of six things that can help you save your summer.

Prepare- It’s no news that the kids will be wrapped around your ankles for the next couple of months. Defend yourself  by preparing some FUN things for your kids to be doing while you work.

You could make a FUN JAR. Write activities your kids like to do (without you).  Cut up the list into strips and cram them into a big jar or bowl. When the natives get restless let them pick an activity out of the jar.

Keep them busy all summer (and then some) with ideas from “How to Run Your Business Without Your Kids Running Amuck”. From tots to teens this mom-tested guidewill inspire you with ideas to bring work hours back into your day.

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Be creative!

Get outside the box and do something different. Break away from your normal routines at home or work and concentrate on the need of the moment. Use new ideas to keep your kids busy while you work.

Maybe it would be helpful to change your environment. Work in a new place for a day. Try out your deck or the local coffee shop or internet cafe.

Sometimes the best creative thing you can do for problem solving is to NOT work on it. Take a break and let your creative juices get refreshed. If you can get in or near water you’ll find clarity of thought. I get my best ideas in the shower.

Start a new project that excites you. Create a special sale. Bundle your products or services into new bonus packages. Create a “limited edition” product or service. One of my most successful direct sales ideas was calling my customers and offering to give them an “un-birthday” party. I needed appointments and this idea made them want to invite there friends over.

Just remember, as BizMoms, we get paid for being creative-no matter what form that takes for you. What do you do to get outside the box?

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