Business has evolved over the past few years in response to the pandemic and economic challenges, but that doesn’t mean your small business can’t experience substantial growth in 2022. In fact, many business owners are seeing exceptional success because they are acknowledging the changing environment and doing things differently to provide their clients with the solutions they need. Whether you plan to expand your offerings or forge a deeper connection with your client base, your business can have a stellar year. Here are a few tips to help you achieve your growth goals this year.
Growth Tip #1 – Power Up Your Social Media Marketing Efforts to Stand Out
Social media is one of the best places to sculpt your brand. Use your creativity to create a personality for your brand that will resonate with your target market. Depending on your industry, social media will likely be one of your most important marketing channels to focus on. An effective social media strategy has the power to drive word-of-mouth marketing, attract leads, and most importantly accelerate sales. Regularly managing your brand’s online presence will help you stay connected with your audience and garner top of mind recognition. Stay up to date with trends and make sure to connect with other organizations and influencers who have a prominent voice in your industry. Try video, live streams, and value-added content to boost engagement. Use metrics to fine tune your strategies and try out new ones.
Growth Tip #2 – Focus on Building Stronger Relationships
People make your business great. From members of your team to trusted partners and your client base, your business wouldn’t exist without your community. Forming strong relationships with the people involved in your business is often key to growth. The best way to develop these connections is through genuine and effective communication. Keep the lines of communication open and transparent in all parts of your business. Ask your team and your customers for suggestions. Show that their opinions matter by making changes that they would like to see. Establish programs aimed at strengthening relationships like a customer appreciation program, a referral system, or team awards. When you show that people matter to your business, you will create a supportive network that is willing to have your back when you need it.
Growth Tip #3 – Use the Expertise of Talented Virtual Assistants to Work Efficiently
Hiring the services of a qualified Virtual Assistant can help you become more organized in just about any part of your business. From email communication, tax preparation and bookkeeping to research, marketing, and other creative projects, Virtual Assistants are a support system that removes tasks from your list so you can focus on the hard work of growing your business. Since the pandemic started, many businesses have started relying on virtual services that are tailored to their exact needs and require little onboarding. The unique part of working with Virtual Assistants is the variety of experiences and capabilities that they can have. Often, they have worked in a variety of industries helping entrepreneurs and executives succeed at all levels of business growth. They have diverse skills in an array of business areas and are eager to add to their skillset. Another great benefit of working with a Virtual Assistant is the savings you’ll get over hiring a full-time employee. Virtual Assistants can be instrumental to business success by promoting efficiency so business owners can pursue their goals and grab opportunities as they arise.
Growth Tip #4 – Keep Tabs on Your Industry and Competition
Especially in the last few years, the market landscape has been shifting rapidly. Businesses are opening, closing, and pivoting every day. When was the last time you dedicated resources to researching your industry and competition? While competitive research should be a regular practice, hustling business owners can sometimes have a hard time prioritizing it. After the turbulence over the last few years, now is the opportune time to refresh your understanding of the landscape you’re operating in. Do a deep dive on your client base, competitors, and vendors. Has your target market vacillated? Have any new businesses popped up with competing offerings or new business strategies? Keep track of what changes might represent new opportunities for your business and what new risks should be mitigated. Add market research to your calendar to keep tabs on how your industry continues to develop.
Growth Tip #5 – Be Creative with Your Growth Strategy
Establishing a growth strategy is essential to creating a stable trajectory for your business. It provides you with milestones to reach and goals to accomplish. When developing a growth strategy, try to think outside the box. Opportunities can often be found in the most unexpected places. A Facebook post, an ad in the paper, or even a conversation with a neighbor may set you on the path to achieve your next big milestone. Always keep your eyes peeled and your mind open. Growing your business is not always the most obvious process. Sometimes agreeing to an opportunity that seems insignificant or unusual for your business will be the best business decision you’ve ever made.
Follow some (or all) of these tips, and you will make 2022 your best year ever. And don’t forget, you can always utilize the services of a virtual assistant agency or social media marketing firm that specializes in helping small businesses grow. Investing in support is one of the best ways to invest in yourself and your business. Business growth awaits you in 2022.
VaVa Virtual Assistants co-founders Lauren Gall and Melanie Ammerman saw a gap in the workplace for support that entrepreneurs need in order to develop and scale their own businesses. Together, they built a 7-figure Virtual Assistant company from the ground up. They continue to have the drive and passion to help business owners achieve the success and work-life balance they have always desired. Lauren Gall is a native Midwesterner with over 10 years of experience in the business services industry. As a graduate of The Ohio State University where she studied Strategic Communications, she has excelled in the areas of sales, leadership, and public relations as it relates to business development within her firm. Melanie Ammerman is originally from Wisconsin and has a background in Clinical Psychology with a bachelor’s from DePaul University and a master’s from Pepperdine University. Both Melanie and Lauren currently reside in Atlanta. Learn more at www.vavavirtual.com.
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