It’s actually kind of funny if you think about it. I posted about needing to take breaks to help maintain productivity and then immediately came down with the worst (non-Covid) cold I have had in five years. I was down for the count. I missed last week’s newsletter, I took a day off from work. Heck, I didn’t even play much World of Warcraft (It’s my guilty pleasure. Don’t judge.)

The good news? I’m back. I’m better than ever! And I’m ready to help a whole bunch of businesses prosper in the backstretch of 2023 and into 2024.

It’s all going to start an overstuffed issue of the Weekly Quest Log!

Expressing My Gratitude

You can’t publish a newsletter the week before Thanksgiving without taking a moment to express gratitude. Can you? I don’t think so!

Big thank you to everyone who has been on this journey with me for the last few months and I cannot WAIT to see what the next year brings!

Main Quest - Reflect and Prepare to Grow Your Business in the New Year!

As we say goodbye to 2023 we have a great opportunity to use this time for strategic reflection and planning. The end of the year isn't just for winding down; it's a time to set the stage for growth and success in the upcoming year.

Strategic Review and Reflection

Reflect on your performance in 2023.

• What strategies worked?

• Where did you face challenges?

• What was on your to-do list that didn’t get done?

This is the kind of self-reflection that is essential for understanding your current position and getting ready for what is around the corner.

Tis the Season for Networking

The end of the year is FULL of networking opportunities. Use these opportunities to connect with peers, potential clients, and even mentors. These connections can provide valuable insights, and even lead to new business opportunities.

Something to Think About

Small business owners are content creators now. That is just the way things are. One of my friends and I had the above conversation this past week while they were lamenting their lack of “inspiration” to write.

I stand by my answer. At the end of the day, we need to create the content. So just roll your face on the keyboard if you have to. No. Not literally. I say this to mean that you should just write because editing rough work will always be easier than writing something from scratch. (Which you’ll need to edit anyway.)

Side Quest Ask for Help!

All of us have that one thing that we are bad at. That one task that we struggle to get done. It might take us hours, maybe even days, while we trudge through the mire of self-doubt only to trip across the finish line. There is someone out there who can help you find success in a fraction of the time.

This week I want you to think about the task that gives you the most grief… and I want you to reach out to someone for help. This can mean a lot of things

• You could hire a virtual assistant or a social media manager!

• You could ask someone to teach you how to make something easier!

• You could exchange services with another professional in your network.

• You could even ask ChatGPT (Pro-tip: Always do this. ChatGPT is really good at explaining how to use things like Microsoft Office and Google Suite products).

No matter what method you choose it is definitely time to start getting comfortable with asking for help.

This one is asking a lot. And I know that I would have had a ton of difficulty doing this one in the past. But, I’ve learned recently that my network is full of people willing to help answer my questions and give meaningful advice

Strategy Guide - Time for a Social Media Audit

Social Media Audits are time-consuming, but they are an important part of the social media marketing process. Below are the steps that I take when I complete a Social Media Tune-Up for a client. The end result is a greater understanding of your company’s footprint in the social media landscape. This will save you time AND make your content more effective.

Note: If you read this list and decide you don’t want to do it yourself. Reach out to me about doing the service for you!

Inventory your Social Media Accounts

It’s hard to start any sort of audit without having all of the information at hand.

• Make a list of all of your social media accounts, including those not actively managed.

• Go through each account and ensure that each account is complete with up-to-date information and branding.

Analysis of Audience Engagement

Next, we take a look at what we have done and see what has been working so far.

• Add the number of followers that each of your accounts have to the list you made above. This is a great way to evaluate where you have the most reach.

• Look at the analytics tools for each platform and take note of the audience demographics there.

• Assess how users interact with your posts (likes, shares, comments).

Content Strategy Evaluation

Now that we know where you are posting and who is looking at those posts it is time to think about WHAT you are posting.

• Review the types of content post that you have posted (images, videos, blogs, etc) and their performance.

• Assess the consistency of your posting schedule and content themes.

Competitor Benchmarking

Lastly, it’s time to look at your competitors and see how they are doing. This can be dangerous though so be careful. When I evaluate my own performance on Social Media I don’t compare myself to GaryVee. Similarly, if you make handmade candles, then you shouldn't be comparing yourself to Yankee Candle or some other massive brand in the space.

(Definitely look to them for content ideas though!)

• Identify key competitors and analyze their social media presence.

• Look for content strategies or engagement tactics used by competitors that could be adapted for your use.

Something to Remember

***You can do this.***

(Yes. This video is incredibly nerdy. No. I’m not sorry for posting it. ;))

Bonus Content - 10 Social Media Post Ideas!

1. Thanksgiving Gratitude Post: Share a heartfelt message of gratitude to your customers and community. This can be a simple thank you note, a video message, or a photo collage of memorable moments from the year.

2. Black Friday/Cyber Monday Promotions: Create posts about any special deals or promotions you're offering for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Use eye-catching graphics and clear call-to-actions to drive sales.

3. Small Business Saturday Spotlight: Participate in Small Business Saturday by highlighting your business and its unique offerings. Share your business's story, mission, and what makes it special.

4. Holiday Gift Guides: Curate gift guides featuring your products or services. You can create different themes like "Gifts Under $50" or "Perfect Gifts for Mom" to help your customers find the perfect holiday presents.

5. Behind-the-Scenes Holiday Prep: Share behind-the-scenes content showing how your business is preparing for the holidays. This could be decorating your store, packaging holiday orders, or preparing special holiday products.

6. Countdown to the Holidays: Start a countdown series leading up to major holiday events. Each day, post something unique—maybe a special offer, a fun fact about your business, or a holiday-themed tip.

7. Customer Appreciation Features: Feature stories or testimonials from your customers. This not only shows appreciation but also builds community and trust among your audience.

8. Interactive Holiday-Themed Polls or Quizzes: Engage your audience with fun, interactive content like polls (e.g., "Choose our next holiday special flavor!") or quizzes ("Which of our products is your perfect holiday match?").

9. Charity or Community Involvement: If your business is involved in any charitable activities during the holiday season, share this with your audience. It could be a food drive, donations to a local charity, or volunteering.

10. New Year Teasers: Start teasing any big plans, products, or changes coming in the new year. This builds anticipation and keeps your audience engaged and looking forward to what's next.