Turn Your Downtime Into Uptime.

Most company’s experience periods of increased workflow that is usually followed by downtime. If your company experiences these periods, you will notice that they usually go in cycles around the same months every year. However these vary for every company. If you can pinpoint when this cycle of downtime is going to occur you can prepare yourself early and possibly turn that downtime around before you really get to the heart of it. If they come and go unexpectedly you can use this time wisely by rekindling old business relationships, analyzing your goals and assessing your web site. Here are a few ways you can make the best out of your downtime.

Rekindle Business relationships
Have you been out of touch lately? Downtime is a great time to send out a few catch up emails, meet up for coffee and rekindle some old business relationships. They could be starting out on a new business venture or could use your company’s assistance or services. It is important to keep close ties with people in your network.

Analyze your goals
We are all guilty of being overly optimistic in January when New Year resolutions seem all too easy to make and in your mind accomplish. However, come June, we forget about the beginning of the year goals we set for ourselves. Use your downtime to analyze your goals, look at the progress you’ve made in the past few months and figure out what you need to stay on course or get back on.

Assess your website
When you are swamped with work, it is easy to neglect your web site. This is a great time to freshen up your content, images, portfolio and concentrate on SEO. You should also check all web forms to make sure they are all working properly and directed to the right place and check that your contact info is still correct.

Client Feedback
Send client surveys and get their feedback on your service, what you can do to improve, what your strengths are as a company and if they can provide you with a testimonial that you can then post on your web site. It is always good to have updated testimonials with dates on your web site to show that you have recent clients that are pleased with your work.

Follow–up
Are there a few proposals floating around that you never heard back from? Now is a great time to send follow ups to see if they are still interested and let them know you are still there so they don’t forget about you. This could generate new work or could help you cross off pending clients from your list.