If you are a freelancer or self-employed, you’ll understand the dance between marketing your business and actually doing the work. Marketing specialists insist that you should always be marketing, even when you are busy, to ensure that the work continues to flow without significant gaps.  I agree with that philosophy (although my current calendar has its own ideas on that) and I have vastly improved my follow up methods to ensure no leads get dropped. But there are forces beyond our control which means we have to have flexibility and good time management powers.
About five months ago I was preparing several quotes a week and was very excited about all the work that would be trickling in as a result. But a funny thing happened. Most of them didn’t move forward. The reasons varied from lack of budget and change in corporate direction, to the customer simply being too busy so the job had to be put off. During that time I kept myself busy trying different marketing strategies and making improvements to my website so that I at least felt productive. But I won’t lie to you, it was disappointing and scary.
Can you guess what happened next? Yep, my schedule EXPLODED! People who were too busy months ago came to realize that their website was a priority and needed me to get to work immediately. New contacts were finding me through my improved website and calling with an urgent need because they needed someone just like me. My networking (off and online) efforts were bringing new people to my site and stimulating email and phone conversations that brought in even more work. So today as I write this blog post, I should actually be working on three other jobs. I won’t lie to you, this feels terrific….and scary.
Now my time management is challenged and my processes for developing quality content and SEO strategies are being tested. I feel fully alive because I love what I do. I’m thankful for this roller coaster because there is not one single minute that I’m bored.
Where does your business sit right now? Are you being persistent during the slow times and continuing to market? Is your business website and social media presence in top form? How is your scheduling and time management? I welcome you to share your challenges and how you overcame them.
 If you are a freelancer or self-employed, you’ll understand the dance between marketing your business and actually doing the work. Marketing specialists insist that you should always be marketing, even when you are busy, to ensure that the work continues to flow without significant gaps.  I agree with that philosophy (although my current calendar has its own ideas on that) and I have vastly improved my follow up methods to ensure no leads get dropped. But there are forces beyond our control which means we have to have flexibility and good time management powers.

About five months ago I was preparing several quotes a week and was very excited about all the work that would be trickling in as a result. But a funny thing happened. Most of them didn’t move forward. The reasons varied from lack of budget and change in corporate direction, to the customer simply being too busy so the job had to be put off. During that time I kept myself busy trying different marketing strategies and making improvements to my website so that I at least felt productive. But I won’t lie to you, it was disappointing and scary.

Can you guess what happened next? Yep, my schedule EXPLODED! People who were too busy months ago came to realize that their website was a priority and needed me to get to work immediately. New contacts were finding me through my improved website and calling with an urgent need because they needed someone just like me. My networking (off and online) efforts were bringing new people to my site and stimulating email and phone conversations that brought in even more work. So today as I write this blog post, I should actually be working on three other jobs. I won’t lie to you, this feels terrific….and scary.

Now my time management is challenged and my processes for developing quality content and SEO strategies are being tested. I feel fully alive because I love what I do. I’m thankful for this roller coaster because there is not one single minute that I’m bored.

Where does your business sit right now? Are you being persistent during the slow times and continuing to market? Is your business website and social media presence in top form? How is your scheduling and time management? I welcome you to share your challenges and how you overcame them.

Marnie headshot is an SEO copywriter, author and online marketer. She works with small and medium-sized businesses to develop their marketing and communications and expand their customer base.

How is your business growing?
For free 30 min consult contact marnie@communicationartistry.ca or call 905-702-4266