It’s October, and while we still have the fourth quarter and holiday seasonality ahead of us, NOW is the time to be thinking about things you may want to do at the start of the new year.
Why? Because time flies when you’re having a good time, and you’re hoping to be very busy leading up to the holidays! Like most of us, you’ll wait until the last minute to decide what conventions you want to attend, as well as what classes and people you want to catch up to.
I’m not suggesting you need to make travel reservations now, but if, for example, you’re headed to IUSA in Nashville, book your hotel now. If there are people you’re hoping to catch up to at the show, then start the conversation going and start planting a few ideas.
And if you’re planning to attend, what do you need to do to keep your business going while you’re away? Do you have backup support when you’re out of town? Do you need to start saving and putting money aside for the trip?
How’s your skill set? Everyone has at least one skill they’re weakest in. Start looking at who’s teaching various programs on lighting, composition, posing, and marketing. As I wrote earlier in the year, growth only happens outside your comfort zone!
This is also a great time to review the infrastructure of your business, especially insurance, copyright, pricing, your website, marketing efforts, etc. At a convention like IUSA, you’ve got access to all the experts, giving you a chance to upgrade and make your business more efficient. However, nothing happens if you’re not up to date on what currently in place for your business!
While most of this post focuses on your business future and IUSA, what are your plans to kick off the year in your own community? Are there nonprofit events during the winter you should be involved with? Are you a member of a service group, like Rotary, Exchange Club and Kiwanis, for example?
I’m not suggesting any kind of elaborate programming to kick off the new year. I just want you to take the time to start thinking about what you hope to accomplish, and what tools do you need?
Like an architect building a house, it all begins with a basic design!
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