How often are you sending emails to your database?

Once in a blue moon? Once a month? Once a week? Never?

I get it. You are busy in your business, serving and treating clients that you simply have no time for emails. Plus, you say, you are posting daily (sometimes more than once a day) on Instagram and Facebook. Surely that is enough?

Here is where you are wrong. The thing about Facebook and Instagram is that you don't own your followers. And whilst these apps are quick and easy to use, they are designed to be social forms of networking and connecting. If social media suddenly dropped off the face of the earth, how would you communicate with your clients?

Email marketing can work so well for you because, you have control over your database and how often you send mail.

If done right, email marketing can be so effective for you, here's why:

• Email marketing is convenient: with constant access to their smartphones, most of your clients receive your emails via their mail app on their phones meaning they get to see you offers, coupons or updates immediately and can take action.
• It's personal: with email marketing, you can communicate with your database as if you were having a conversation directly with them. You can personalise messages, segment your audience and deliver the most relevant information, offers and content to your clients. 
• It's instant: email marketing campaigns, newsletters and offers are available to your clients as soon as they hit the inbox. Unlike social media posts, you don't have to wrangle with constantly changing algorithms.
• More features: unlike social media posts, email marketing has no word count or limitations. You can use all the features of HTML and a full range of media; video, music, photos, memes, links.
  
• Email integrates with other marketing: add a pop up or sign up form to your website, use linking apps on social media, share enewsletters on Facebook and LinkedIn.
• Grow traffic to your website: create a landing page, and an email welcoming sequence to encourage clients to spend more time on your website and increase bookings and sales. 

As a small business, you may be working with a limited marketing budget. Email marketing offers an affordable starting point that is versatile and can create a significant return of sales/bookings. 

Still feeling unsure about email marketing for your business? Maybe you simply don't know what to write or how often to communicate with your database. Heck, maybe you don't even have a database yet. That is okay, now is a good time to start. Why not reach out and make an enquiry to see how Clary Sage Consulting can help your small business with email marketing. 

Small business owners are really quite good at procrastinating.

Especially in Winter when it is cold and wet out, or if the sun is blazing and it's too hot to go out in the day. Especially when there are (good?) series to binge watch on Netflix and Pins to keep pinning on Pinterest. I can say this confidently, because I am a small business owner and I do this.

I procrastinate.  

In many ways “procrastination” is a naughty word. To some it implies laziness, being unmotivated, distracted, unfocused and countless other trigger words. It means that we aren’t getting the things done and we are failing as contributing adults. Now maybe that’s an exaggeration, but maybe it’s not.  The point is we heap a bunch of responsibilities and pressure on ourselves. There is always a deadline and there is always the next thing to complete. 

But where is the real procrastination? I don't believe that ALL procrastination is bad. In fact, sometimes it is important too procrastinate, to S L O W down. 

More often than not we are procrastinating on our self-care and the things that really matter. Guilty! Instead of sitting up until midnight binge watching Good Girls (it's a really good trashy series, ok), I could perhaps do some Yin Yoga or Meditate or Journal or GO TO BED early! Nah, I'd rather procrastinate this self care. 

The focus for this late night procrastination isn't about avoiding work or things to be done, but rather it's kind of like some alone time after everyone else has retreated to bed, and I MUST have this. Half the time I am scrolling and watching or thinking about other things. Surely I'm not alone on this one? It's about allowing space to decompress, alone; getting a mental and emotional break in, which may help to decrease stress and anxiety. 

Procrastination is not all about late nights and binging Netflix though. Here are a few more positive ways you can indulge in procrastination. I find all of these activities give me the space to tune out, with out tuning into technology. Sometimes by procrastinating, you actually free your creativity and find yourself becoming more productive.

Procrastaread
Ahhh, a good book - there’s nothing like it. No matter the genre, reading is the quickest escape route into another land. Once you pass through that portal there’s no turning back. And if business or finance books are more your speed, there’s nothing wrong with that. Sometimes the escape is in learning something new. Grab your library card or pay your local book store a visit. Many great reads await you. 

Procrastamake
Is there a hobby or enjoyable activity you’ve been putting off?  Now is a good time to pick it up. Bake your favourite cookies. Cook a meal that reminds you of someone special. Knit a scarf. Write in a journal. Paint a canvas, an end table, or a masterpiece. Whatever your “thing” is lose yourself in it. 

Procrastaclean
Raise your hand if you procrastinate on doing dishes and laundry. (*raises hand*) While some find household chores relaxing, others can’t stand them or just never seem to have the time for them. Cleaning has become a “hurry up and get it over with” activity. Slow down a little and do the dishes by hand. Even if you don’t find it relaxing, you’ll walk away with a little more gratitude for the modern-day luxuries.   

Procrastercise
In some instances, exercise has become another chore. We do it because we know we need to and it will keep us fit and healthy. Sometimes we don’t see the benefit until it’s over and working out becomes another task we must complete. Try approaching exercise in a new way. Find something you enjoy doing. Something you can look forward to. Try yoga or meditation (for those with busy minds, keep a notebook nearby to jot down fleeting thoughts) or go for a walk on a new trail or in a different neighbourhood. Just get out there and move.

Procrastasip
Drink coffee. Drink tea. Drink margaritas. Get dressed up for a night on the town or dress down for a night in. Fly solo or invite a friend. For some, socialising recharges their batteries while others find energy in solitude. Do what suits you and I promise you’ll feel refreshed.

Procrastanap
OMG! I am the biggest advocate for taking a Nap. Find the nearest hammock, couch or shade. Sleep is essential and we don’t get nearly enough. The benefits of sleep range from improved memory, sparked creativity, improved athletic performance and weight loss to lower anxiety and depression levels. Granted getting a good night’s sleep won’t prevent you from all disease, but quality sleep is a key factor in a healthy lifestyle.

Procrastassage
It’s no surprise that my favourite way to indulge in procrastination is through massage. I would so start and finish my day with a massage if I could. The mental and physical break in a softly lit, warm, nurturing treatment room cannot be beat. Added bonus, massage really is good for your health and wellbeing. I'll advocate a last minute bodywork session over catching up on emails any day!

In case you didn’t pick up on it, bringing awareness to our own procrastination is about changing habits. It’s about incorporating enjoyable activities in our busy, stressed out lives. It’s about finding peace while being productive and keeping things in balance. Being riddled with daily stress and anxiety serves no one. Especially you. 

I'm a believer in going with the flow. I don't like to force my creativity or push to get things done. Rather, I will write lists, balance my day with things that feel good, aligned with my sense of joy. Yes I will procrastinate. But I do so consciously and by doing so, I do not feel bad about it. 

Have you got some dreams, goals or lists of things you want to get done for your business but you keep putting them off by procrastination or simply not doing them? It's nearly the end of the year. In fact it's nearly the end of this DECADE! Do you want to outsource some of your to do list? Blogs, social media posts, re writing your About me page? Let me help so you can spend more time doing the things you love. 

​
​Nicola Hogan is a Creative Communication Strategist with a knack for crafting client relationships. A Writer, Holistic Therapist, Massage Therapy Mentor and Mum to 3 school aged kids, Nicola has spent years creating a biz/life balance that (mostly) works. Nature lover, urban gardener and coffee addict, she's a stickler for good customer service and is not afraid to speak out when it's in lack.
Connect with her on all the usual online social places.

Do you pay much attention to the moon and her cycles?

The moon, if we tune into her, can  influence our lives and our small business. 

I'm not talking about the weird energy or crazy behaviour of some people around the time of the full moon. Although, you may notice that in the week leading up to the full moon, many clients will share similar themes, behaviours, patterns or issues. 

There are four phases of the moons cycle and we will feel the energy of each cycle differently, with the strongest feelings being noticed at the full moon. 

• New Moon: on a New Moon we enter the energy of creation. It is the perfect time to plant a seed, set our intentions and make a wish out to the Universe. During this time our psychic energy is high and we may feel feelings of solitude.
• Waxing Moon: following a New Moon, a waxing moon helps us to begin taking action on our goals, dreams and wishes and brings experiences into our lives that help us to grow.
• Full Moon: the Full Moon represents the most powerful point in the cycle, it is a time of high energy and high power and is a time to release and let go of all that no longer serves you, in order to welcome in the new. In the cycle of death and rebirth, the Full Moon represents the starting of the death.
• Waning Moon: following a Full Moon, the waning moon gives us time to go within and reflect on where we are and where we are going. This is the moment just before the rebirth and helps us to reflect on our emotions and who we are. Revelations can occur and our intuition can be strong.

​In my business, I tend to notice the energies of the New Moon and Full Moon the most. I find these moons to be a wonderful time for personal and self reflection for my small business. My beliefs are holistic, I take a snap shot of the bigger picture. It was how I  practiced as a Massage Therapist, taking into account body, mind and soul of each of my clients and supporting them to bring these elements into balance. I would often consider the moon as one of the holistic tools I used in my service. 

As a copywriter, communication strategist and mentor, I like to use my holistic toolbox in the same way and work with the moon for guidance and reflection.

Today is the 14th of October and marks the Full Moon in Aries (or the 13th October, depending on where you are geographically located). I'm no astrologist, but I do have some understanding of the Star Signs. 

Aries is the first astrological sign, so this full moon brings an energy of release and new beginnings. You can read more about the Full Moon in Aries with Astrology King.

How to use the Full Moon energy in your small business.

Full Moons are a time to harvest, a time to reap what you have sown in the previous month and release all that is no longer serving you. The best time to work with the energy of the Full Moon is a day before to 2 days after.

Now is the time to pour your self a cuppa, sit quietly with your journal to reflect and contemplate your business. You might like to ask or consider:

1. What is my current reality in my business?
2. What responsibilities are weighing me down?
3. Where do I want the biggest shift within my business?
4. What kind of change or sacrifice may be required of me to accomplish this?
5. How can I release and let go of these energies?
6. What additional resources are available to me as I release and let go?

You may like to burn some incense or palo santo in your office, treatment room or where ever you work to cleanse your space, leaving the window open after to allow the stagnant energy to leave with the smoke. You can also charge your crystals in the moonlight or even take a walk in the moonlight as you mindfully release all that does not service you. 

In the days after your Full Moon ritual, you can create your office, treatment room or sacred space again by placing your moon charged crystals strategically. Get some lovely fresh flowers or an indoor plant to enhance your space. And if you are feeling stuck or needing extra support in your business, feel free to book in for a Mentoring Session with me. 

​
​Nicola Hogan is a Creative Communications Strategist with a knack for crafting client relationships. A Writer, Holistic Therapist, Massage Therapy Mentor and Mum to 3 school aged kids, Nicola has spent years creating a biz/life balance that (mostly) works. Nature lover, urban gardener and coffee addict, she's a stickler for good customer service and is not afraid to speak out when it's in lack.
Connect with her on all the usual online social places.