Whether we like it or not, businesses across the country need to look at how they operate. Some companies are taking the slower pace to work on their business and others are being savvy and finding ways to pivot their services. 

Whatever the case might be if your business has slowed and you’re unsure what to work on during this time, we’ve compiled a list of 20 productive business ideas to see you through the next few months.

And in no particular order:

1. Write That eBook – Finally, write and publish that eBook that’s been on your to-do list for months. Now is a great time to share your expertise with the world and build a following
2. Get Online – if your business isn’t online already nows the time to be seen. Whether you hire a local company or DIY, it’s imperative now more than ever
3. Optimise Your Website for SEO – Is your website ranking for the keywords you want in your industry? Perhaps your website needs some tweaking. Hire an expert or learn some SEO basics and start implementing strategies today
4. Reinvent Your Brand – Have you been dreaming of a new logo or brand? Get a new look for your post-isolation identity.
5. Start an Industry Podcast 
6. Up Your Social Game – if you’re not already posting on social media now is the time to develop a social calendar
7. Try a New Social Platform – TikTok and Snapchat might not seem like your first go-to’s for growing your business, but they are on the rise (just don’t get lost in TikTok for hours! ;))
8. Create Video Content – Whether it’s educational or direct response, a video has proven time and time again to be a cost-effective way to been seen. Whether you use a professional camera or your iPhone, the most crucial element to your video is your content – make it genuine and full of value
9. Provide Online Training – Are you an expert in your field; could you develop an online workshop or 1-on-1 mentoring? 
10. Keep Advertising – Businesses potentially have the opportunity to get more bang for their advertising buck. With fewer businesses wanting to spend on advertising, resulting in less competition, which can result in a better return on your advertising spend
11. Learn a New Skill –  With so many online short courses available from creative workshops to copywriting, pick up new skills to implement in your business or to provide some unique services
12. Nurture Your Clients – Keep in contact with your clients and nurture the relationships you have, are any on the rocks or in the risk of churning, can you offer them more value during this time?
13. Build a New Email Template – have you forgotten about your email list? Perhaps its time to give your email template a makeover and create some engaging email content
14. Build an Opt-In Form – Whether you entice warm leads with a free giveaway, or build a pop-up into your website. If you haven’t got an opt-in email form on your website, you could be losing out on potential future customers
15. Ask for Reviews –  Reviews create credibility, which helps new customers develop trust, reach out to your top clients and ask for reviews & recommendations for Google and Facebook
16. Create a Brand Guide – Do you consider your brand to be just your logo? Take this time to create a guide – things you can include are brand fonts, colours, tone-of-voice, photography, iconography and cultural values. What impact do you want your business to have on the world?
17. Get Behind a Cause – If you haven’t got financial worries, can you or your business donate time, resources or services to a charitable cause?
18. Work With Other Businesses –  Now’s a great time to form partnerships, look through your contacts for potential opportunities and complementary businesses to partner with to provide essential products, services or unique offers
19. Refresh Your Print Materials –  Whether you need to produce some new takeaway menus, A4 flyers or stationary, it might be time to give your print materials zhooshing
20. Be Mindful – During these times, its imperative more than ever to look after your primary asset. Yourself. Take time to be grateful for what you can, pause and reflect – it’s a tough time and okay to be stressed.

I hope you found these 20 tips to be useful, and if you need any help, please get in touch, or if you want to have a virtual coffee, I’d love to have a chat.

Stay safe and keep savvy. 

Benjamin Williams – www.55knots.com.au