How to start the new year as a creative business owner – useful tasks for January
As we stand on the threshold of a new year, it's the perfect time for you as a creative business owner to set the stage for success. In this blog post, I'll explore ten simple, yet crucial tasks to kickstart your year and build confidence for the months ahead.
Reflect on the Past Year:
Take a moment to reflect on your accomplishments and challenges from the past year. Acknowledge the lessons learned and use them as stepping stones for the journey ahead.
Task 1. Update your website portfolio. Remove types or categories of work you no longer want to pursue this year. Add in any projects from the last 12 months you are particularly proud of and would love to do more of.
Task 2. Archive or delete posts from your social media feeds in the same way. People scroll way back if they’re interested in you, and you want to curate your feed as you would your website portfolio to encourage as many of your ideal clients as possible.
Task 3. Review your pricing. Make sure you have covered any increased costs from the previous year and/or your pricing reflects your extra year’s worth of skills and experience gained.
Set Clear Goals:
Embrace setting realistic and achievable goals for the year. Break them down into smaller milestones, making the path to success more manageable.
Task 1. Write a list of all the clients you’d love to work with this year, either specific ones, or relating to your ideal client personas. Or the new products you’d love to create this year.
Task 2. Write down your income goal for the year.
Task 3. Plan out how you’re going to make that happen in detail. Where and how you will get in front of customers, whether it’s online, social media, blogging, or by more direct marketing activities.
Review Your Branding:
Check your visuals, voice, vision and values are clear and consistent across all your online and offline materials.
Task 1. Does your imagery need updating? Do you need to invest in photography this year?
Task 2. Is your written text consistent and truly reflective of the way you speak in person and with your customers?
Task 3. What is your vision for your business. Where do you want to be and who do you want to be serving in the next 12 months?
Task 4. Do your moral and ethical values come across in your communications? Will they resonate with your ideal client personas?
Review and Update Your Website:
Your online presence is crucial. Optimise your website with relevant keywords, ensuring it's not only visually appealing but also search engine friendly.
Task 1: Update your copyright year.
Task 2: Ensure your legals are up to date.
Task 3. Check there are no broken links.
Task 4. Update any copy to reflect any changes you’ve made in your business.
Create a Content Calendar:
Plan your content for the upcoming months. Share your insights and knowledge, positioning yourself as an authority in your niche or create inspirational imagery that speaks to the heart of your customer’s desires.
Task 1: List any awareness days throughout the year that are relevant to your business that you can create relevant content around.
Task 2. Plan out a blogging and/or social media schedule you can stick to (not one you’ll give up on when things get busy).
Task 3. Identify any courses or workshops that will help you with getting the most out of your content creation, or consider outsourcing if this isn’t your forte.
Implement Systems and Processes:
Streamline your workflow by implementing efficient systems and processes. This not only enhances productivity but also creates a sense of organisation and control which is great for mindset throughout the year.
Task 1. Identify any steps that could be automated to give you time back in your business, eg call schedulers, social media schedulers.
Task 2. Plan out your customer journeys so you can provide a consistent, repeatable service that creates loyalty and trust in your brand.
Task 3. If you’ve not been on it before now, get used to knowing your numbers – what are your expenses and costs, how much money are you really making? Get an accountant or software to help you stay on top of things.
Learn and Develop New Skills:
Stay ahead in your industry by acquiring new skills. Attend workshops, webinars, or enroll in courses that align with your business and creative goals. Your commitment to ongoing learning showcases your dedication and expertise.
Task 1. Identify any gaps in your knowledge or skills. Can they be learnt or outsourced?
Task 2. Identify any creative experiences you would love to enrol on to keep your creative spark alive and inject fresh ideas into your business.
Embarking on a new year as a creative business owner is an opportunity for a fresh start – you can forget past mistakes, learn and move on with excitement for what’s to come. By incorporating these tasks into your January routine, you'll set the stage for a successful, creatively charged year. Here's to a year filled with growth, connection, and the beauty of creativity in your business journey.
