Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

Make time to DO the Work

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What solves my humbug mood? The Muppet Christmas Carol of course!

I always forget until it’s here that I’m actually NOT a big fan of the holiday season. There’s so much scheduling and planning and hunting down the right gifts, holiday party after party, pretending to be merry when really all I want to do is lay on the couch and have a Doctor Who marathon.

AND in the midst of it all, I have WORK to get done! I somehow have overwhelmed my schedule for November and so getting a day at home (today) to get caught up on the work I have to do is much needed and a relief. My goal is to have 2 days at home a week to DO the work. Lately it’s turned into one day, or even “just one quick meeting” which takes me away from home for a solid 2 hours.

I am sure once Christmas day arrives I’ll be in a better mood (plus we’re staying here this year, YAY) and less Ebenezer about the whole thing. In the mean time, I’m being selfish with my schedule, saying no to things that I maybe should say yes to, and making sure that I’m getting the work done.

How are you prioritizing your clients and your work during this more than usual chaotic season?

Give it 48 hours

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The other day I met with a client who said she often gets distracted and spends a lot of time on the next “latest and greatest idea.” So she has videos on her website that people don’t watch, or a ton of social media networks that she’s not using. And her question was, “how do I know what to spend time on?” GREAT question!

As I have mentioned time and again, I am a TERRIBLE employee. So, when my previous bosses would come to me with “a great idea, you should get right on it” I usually give it 48 hours. With some of them, I made them “remind” me about it again. Why? Because it’s not always a great idea. I’m not going to drop everything to work on it and the next have them change their mind.

If you think you have a great idea, give it a couple of days. If you can’t stop thinking about it, that’s a great sign. If you’ve already forgotten about it, that may be an even better sign.

Thoughts on Referral Gifts

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I LOVE my dentist, he’s such a great guy, very friendly, a great doctor and a total dork (all important qualities to me). So, a few months ago when my neighbors said they needed a dentist, I told them they HAVE To go see my guy!
Fast Forward to Friday afternoon, I got a letter in the mail from my dentist. And inside that letter was $10. It was a formal typed letter thanking me for referring the neighbors and this was my referral gift.
Besides your grandma, when was the last time you got $10 in the mail? It was a fun surprise!

If a current client refers business to you how are you thanking them? No matter if you send a gift, cash, gift card, a free hour of work, whatever it might be, a hand written thank you note is the way to go. I know you have terrible hand writing and I won’t be able to read half of it, but it really is the thought that counts. I’m not writing this post to look a gift horse in the mouth (plus I already spent the $10!), but make a schedule and remind yourself, when you get a new client, make sure to take 5 minutes to send a note to the person who referred them and if you want to include a gift, do so. It’s not required, but it’s always a thoughtful gesture.