Work and business is a huge part of our lives; like it or not. Just like in our personal lives, we can sometimes feel like our business-self is in a rut. If you’ve ever felt like everything relating to your business has become mundane and routine, you don’t need to lose hope. If you’re in a business rut, there are things that you can do to reenergize it so that you are feeling more invested and motivated to do the work involved.
1. New Images; New Look
I would not advocate for a complete rebranding effort solely based on the fact that you feel as though you are in a rut. However, some new images and adding a new look might be just what you need.
- Is there an easy way you can spruce up your packaging?
- How about your website?
- Does it need some fresh new images or a new look?
Even changing some font styles can be enough to alter the feel a bit. Beware of changing anything like your logo or tagline unless you have more sound reasoning, but experiment with some other aspects. You could create a new cover image for your social media accounts or rearrange your storefront if you have one.
2. Have a Sale
Who doesn’t like a sale? If you are experiencing the kind of rut where profit is down and sales are slowing, then a discount promotion may be your answer. Season changes and holidays provide great opportunities for sales, and you can tie to national or community events as well. Sales are a great way to increase revenue and draw attention to specific product lines. You can discount everything, or pick and choose items you’d like to emphasize. Contests via social media or blogs can tie in nicely with sales and help spread the word. Be sure to extend the sale a little past the giveaway so that those who don’t win still have a chance to purchase.
3. Forge a New Partnership
Think Doritos and Taco Bell. If there is a way you can creatively collaborate with another business, it can be a driving force for both of you. I always recommend partnering when possible; generally, we are stronger together. Other businesses, even competitors, have attributes that can, and will, improve your customer’s experience. It could be as simple as including a coupon for a business with the same target market in all of your shipments. Or, it could be a more complex collaboration that includes merging products or even developing a new product or service. New partnerships and collaborations can bring new energy and excitement to something that may be fading.
4. Throw a Party
Virtual or in-person – it doesn’t matter; a party can be fun either way. A party can be held in conjunction with a sale or the launch of a new product. It can be a seasonal bash to celebrate a holiday, or it can be an out-of-the-blue reason to get together on Twitter for an hour of chat and networking. If your business is local, you can have a gathering at your storefront or home. If you want to change it up, you can rent the local coffee shop. There are a lot of potential possibilities when it comes to hosting a party. Be sure to remember the favors, you’ll want to give your guests some type of freebie for attending. You can also do a larger-scale giveaway if you like. And, don’t forget refreshments. If it’s an in-person party, that’s easier. If it’s a virtual party, just make sure you are focusing on the guests and providing reasons for them to enjoy themselves.
5. Launch a Campaign
It could be that it’s time for you to launch a new campaign. This can be an advertising campaign that consists of social media, digital, or print advertising. Or, it can be a combination of all of those things. It could also be a crowdfunding campaign. If you are looking to launch a new product or looking for investors to fund your upcoming expansion, a crowdfunding campaign may make sense to you. There are different reasons to do so, but don’t jump the gun. Be sure that your project is well researched and thought out before approaching others for money. Crowdfunding campaigns can go viral and draw a lot of attention to your business that can benefit you in ways other than cash.
Whichever route you may decide to go, be sure that you and your team are invested in it. Your results will be much better if you are determined to get out of your business rut.
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