Why There is No Such Thing as Being Too Busy in the Business World
How do you introduce yourself to a new person? Do you say "I'm a plumber" or "I own/operate a plumber company"? Because there is a difference.
Everyone you ever meet is always too busy. We all fall into the same trap, myself included, of losing sight of the end goal because of the stumbling blocks in the day or the week or the month or the year. The important part is to not be hindered by the "busyness"; the important part is to recognize what needs to be done and prioritize what has to happen to build and grow. That is a skill in and of itself – but it is important to learn how to market when you are too busy. There is no such thing as "too busy" in the business world – there is just a lack of focus. Let's talk about exactly what that looks like and how you can get back on track.
What Would You Say You Do Here? – Define the Parameters of Your Work
Like we started off, do you say that you do the work or do you say you operate a company? If you do the work, that means you're in the trenches (figuratively and sometimes literally) – Your workday is spent completing the list of jobs at hand. When the jobs are done, you go home and come back the next day when you have a fresh list of jobs. Rinse and repeat.
If you operate a company, you still may be out in the field if you're a smaller company – but you have other responsibilities that must be tended to. Aside from making sure your employees' daily needs are met, you've got the future of the company in your hands. That list of jobs for your staff isn't going to show up unless you are looking to the future to find ways to get your leads, convert, and schedule out service.
Sometimes that means working on your website, other times that means following up with customers to build quality reviews, on occasion, it means planning for and implementing advertising.
How to Market When You Are Too Busy: Conquer the Clock and Prioritize Your Workflow
The only way that you can discover how to market when you are too busy is to find your balance. Find a system that works for you and figure out exactly what tasks need to be done every day. And by that, I mean really what MUST be done every day. You must check your voicemails and emails from the overnight to make sure your customers are taken care of. You really don't have to get 30 customer reviews today.
Then, determine your "big picture" task list. Just like any major endeavor that is worth doing, you're not going to get this done quickly. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will your successful business. It is about creating small, manageable, attainable goals over time to get you to your end.
Want to increase your position in organic rank? There isn't a single blog post or gallery update that will do that instantly. So how will you accomplish this task? Once a month, take pictures of your best job and create an "IPP" page on your website to grow your content. Once you get this into your routine, you'll see how easy it can be. You could even increase your frequency. By regularly posting quality unique content over time, you'll slow improve your organic ranking.
Want to get 100 Google reviews and look like a rock star when anyone does a Google search for your service in your area? Don't get 100 today. Use your review management system and strive to get two reviews a week by following up with your customers the day after you finish a job. You'll break 100 reviews within a year.
Why "Too Busy" Isn't an Option
For your company and employees to do well, you have to MAKE THE TIME to get the work done. Utilize small chunks of time to achieve your large goals – that's how to market when you are too busy.
The work doesn't stop. Not paying attention to those "future" tasks and focusing on the "today" tasks means you aren't able to build. If you spend all of your time fixing today, tomorrow's leads may not show up. You simply cannot afford to be "too busy" to do it.
About Chris Lonergan
Chris Lonergan has over 12 years of contractor marketing experience with Footbridge Media. With a background in web design, print design, content creation, and online marketing, Chris is focused on providing quality marketing and business solutions in the construction and service industries - helping small business owners to more efficiently manage their companies and grow their operations.
Chris Lonergan has previously contributed to and/or been featured in PM Magazine (Plumbing & Mechanical | Contractors x Engineers), theNEWS (ACHR - Air Conditioning | Heating | Refrigeration), Service Roundtable's blog, inPAINT Magazine, the SMB Marketing Agency Show, and the Green Industry Podcast. Chris is also a past SGI/CertainPath breakout session presenter.
