Hola everyone!
It’s officially holiday season which means like a lot of you, I’m wrapping up projects so that I can wind down to spend time with familia.
For those of you who have been following me for a bit now, you probably know that planning for the new year is one of my favorite things to do. And while I love it now, that doesn’t mean it’s always been easy. Maybe some of you can relate.
Through my many business pivots and launches, I’ve learned a thing about planning for growth. This is what I’ve come to: while it growth isn’t always linear, you can do the best you can to prepare for any and all opportunities that will come your way.
Here are my top five tips to prep for the new year:
Make a mind map.
There are online tools like Miro that can help you do this but I’m a pen and paper kind of strategist - which means most of the time my big thinking happens on paper, and it’s not pretty. And while it’s not elegant, it is effective.
This is the mind map I like to create when I’m planning out all of the different campaigns or offerings I want to provide for the new year (or even per quarter). This is definitely more of a brain dump versus a strategic plan, but it helps me identify which projects may flow into each other, or which ones might take the most time to develop.
The items on your map might be a combination of things you did last year or new things you’re hoping to try - there really are no wrong answers here. This is the fun part!
Treat every new service/product like launching a new business.
Here’s where it gets a little time consuming, but I promise - it’s worth it. Block out a few hours for this exercise.
Take a look at every single part of your mind map and break it down as if you were starting a new business each time.
For example: let’s say you’re launching a new mastermind group and a new course in 2023, you would develop the following foundation for each offering.
Your basic foundation includes:
Specific goals that include a launch timeline with deliverables and assets needed and projected revenue/expenses.
Buyer personas: You might have slightly different buyer personas for each of your offerings. Map out at least one per service/product so that you can develop the next bullet point (framework is on page 116 in Jefa in Training).
A marketing/comms plan: How will you bring awareness to this new launch? Through what channels? How often? Will you be sending emails? Running a PR campaign? Do you need a lead magnet?
Once it’s launched, how will you keep engagement going? A virtual tour? Writing guest blog posts? Referral programs?
Your customer journey: What happens once people sign up? Is there an upsell? Do you hop on a call with them?
A competitor analysis: It’s possible that with each launch, you might have a different set of “competitors” whose overall business might not be targeting the same set of people, they are rolling out similar products. Analyze at least 3 new ones per service/product (refer to your copy of Jefa in Training for the analysis worksheet/framework on pages 26-31).
Plan a 90 day check-in and do a SWOT Analysis. Once you’ve had these new offerings in motion for three months, prepare to take a look at these steps, what is working and what still needs to be done. Be prepared to pivot or make necessary changes.
Get friendly with your finances.
Take yourself out for a coffee date and dive into Quickbooks or schedule some time with your bookkeeper. I’ve said it before and will say it again - we cannot grow if we don’t know where we’re at - especially where we’re at in our bank accounts.
Important things to track:
Did the business bring in enough money to cover expenses?
Did you overspend on certain categories that you need to adjust for next year?
Do changes need to be made in order to grow the business next year (to buy new software, hire people, give yourself a raise)?
Have you adjusted pricing based on new programs launching next year, capacity, inflation, etc.?
Did you account for taxes properly? Is it time to switch to an S Corp?
Use the One Page Financial Plan model in one of my previous newsletters.
Do a branding assessment.
What needs to be updated in order to make everything on your mind map possible?
Do you need to:
Take new headshots?
Update your website copy?
Create a partnership/press kit?
Update your product listings?
Re-evaluate all of your visual branding (logos, colors, etc.)?
Assess where you need support.
I realized that even superwomen need a team and that we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help. Between hiring part—time team members and embracing my community - I have been able to double my business this year.
This year I invested in: a publicist, tour coordinator, special events manager, brand development consultant, an assistant and a speaking coach. I’ve also joined several new entrepreneurial and speaker communities (Dreamers + Doers, Badassery), and started a mastermind - without all of this support, I would not have been able to grow the way I have this year.
Entrepreneurship can be an isolating journey - but it doesn’t have to be.
If you found that helpful - let’s work together in 2023.
If you’ve been wanting to work together to develop and execute a business development strategy - I look forward to hearing from you.
Work with me 1 on 1: Whether you’re looking for monthly sessions or a VIP strategy planning for you and your team - I’ve got you! See your options here.
Apply for ALAS (applications close December 18th): If you’re looking for long-term and intensive support - I invite you to apply to ALAS. This program allows me to work with you as your advisor - almost like having me on speed dial, for all of your business needs.
Join the mastermind (applications close January 9th): If you've ever wanted to be surrounded by a community of like-minded changemakers to help you grow your business - now's your chance to grow through connections. The Changemaker Connections Mastermind is a two hour monthly mastermind session with up to 7 other people creating an impact who will support you and hold you accountable.
Not sure how I can help? See how I’ve been able to help other clients. My virtual door is always open for you!
Gracias and until next time,
Ashley 🧚