We are in a WEIRD time in business with the COVID-19 pandemic. And it’s super stressful for most of us. Everything is changing so quickly from one day to the next. There’s sooo many unknowns and we don’t know what’s going to happen on the other side of this COVID-19 pandemic. I’m sure we’ve all heard this but this quote rings really true for how we as business owners can handle this situation: “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” -Epictetus. 

I think before we react the first step is to give yourself a minute to feel all the feelings. We have no idea what’s going to happen. A lot of people are scared because they are losing clients and income due to health mandates at the national and state level that are keeping them from doing business, and this has a trickle down effect. Even though I don’t have a brick and mortar business for example, many of my clients do, and I am affected because their business is affected. So the question is, how do we react to this? What should we be doing? I think our natural fight or flight response is to panic. And we’ve definitely seen A LOT of panic lately. 

But do we really want to look back on this moment and realize our reaction was panic? 

I know I don’t. I want to look back and be proud that I kept my head down, I kept doing the work, and I continued to show up for my business and for my clients.

So here are 5 ways I’m choosing productivity during COVID-19. 

1. Audit Your Website

If you’re a service based industry, you may relate to me when I say that I put my clients work ahead of my own business so I put off things like updating my website or designing materials for my own brand. One of the things I’ve been doing to prepare my business during COVID-19 is adding email sign up forms to my website, and I’m going through all of my recent work and deciding what projects to add to my portfolio. I’m writing blog posts like this one. All of these are efforts that will have an impact in the long game. 

2. Create resources that serve your audience and build your email list

I have had several resources I have been wanting to create, but I just haven’t made the time to execute them. So far, I have designed 2 worksheets and a multi-page workbook to help you write strategic website copy. This is something I can share with my current and prospective web design clients because EVERYONE struggles with writing their copy for their websites. Just tackling these two projects makes me feel SO productive and I know these are super valuable resources!

Want to create a weekly and monthly content strategy? Click here to download the worksheets I use in my own business to strategize and plan out my content. 

Need help writing your website copy? Click here to download the “Create Your Website Copy Cocktail” workbook to help you write strategic website copy. 

3. Support fellow business owners and be an encourager

I’ve seen a huge outpouring of love for small businesses who have taken a huge hit in revenue because of everything going on right now. People in the wedding industry, the event industry, the hospitality industry, or basically anyone who has a brick and mortar who have had to close their doors due to health mandates are facing a lot of challenges right now. We can all do our part to support our fellow business owners right now whether that’s ordering take out from our favorite local restaurant, buying gift cards to use in the future OR even just shouting out your favorite local places on social media or engaging with their content. Little things can have big impact.

4. Brainstorm alternative revenue streams

I think that the pandemic has really put a lot of us in the position to think creatively and come up with alternative ideas to bring in more revenue to our businesses when spending is cut. For a lot of people, this means brainstorming lower ticket offers that are more accessible to people when they need results and assistance, but don’t have the cashflow to invest in higher ticket services. Think about non-traditional ways you can provide your service or offering to your customers in a way that brings in more cash for your business. Some brick and mortars are offering discounts on gift cards because they can’t open up their stores and restaurants right now. I’ve seen med-spas selling services for a discount if you book them in advance. Restaurants are creating survival kits including meals with a complimentary roll of toilet paper! We have a lot of options and it’s in times of uncertainty when we have to get creative. Gyms are offering online classes. We have so much at our fingertips, it’s just a matter of coming up with a creative solution to solve other people’s problems. 

5. Tackle the projects you’ve been putting off

Need to back up files? Need to clean out your downloads folder? Have you been wanting to implement a new software or marketing strategy? If you’re experiencing any downtime or a lighter workload right about now, you’re being given the opportunity to tackle those projects you’ve been putting off that might be huge for your business. Highly recommend adding some of those projects to your to-do list, even if it’s one a week, and KNOCK IT OUT.  

And one bonus tip I have for you is this: Being with family is being productive. Loving on the ones you love most is the most important thing you can do for yourself, and if you’re finding that you have less time to be productive because your little ones are home during the school closures, you’re doing great work. Cooking meals for your family, maintaining your home, and taking care of your people is the most important job, and while we can all say there’s plenty to do in our business, sometimes you just have to pick and choose what you can take on with your capacity right now. 

Hopefully these tips help you find ways to channel productivity during COVID-19 and we can only hope this passes sooner rather than later.

I hope you’re staying healthy during this crazy time and if you have any questions or if there’s anything I can help you with, don’t hesitate to reach out via email (jade@jalexandriacreative.com) or send me a DM on Instagram (@jalexandriacreative). 

XOXO

Jade

PS: Looking for branding or website assistance? Reach out to jade@jalexandriacreative.com to learn more about working together!

 

Here’s a post about our favorite business books if you’re looking for inspiration or motivation during your business right now