Welcome to Business and Balance, THE newsletter for small business owners who are ready to grow their business in a way that's true to them. Each week you'll get an idea for building systems in a way that's right for you, a quick win you can do in an hour or less, and a challenge to make time for something you love outside of business. It’s all about working smarter, not harder, so you can be successful in business without having to sacrifice what you love.
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Heyy Reader,
I'm thinking about how I've been marketing my business and what brings me joy and what brings me grief.
I have made the ultimate decision to leave social media almost entirely.
From now on, I will be focusing on my blog, Pinterest, and this email list.
That being said, since I do really enjoy writing these emails each week, would you be interested in a paid newsletter?
I'm going to do some preliminary research with this email and then I'll send specific emails to anyone who selects that they might be interested.
I have a few ideas (and as always, I'm open to suggestions) about what topics I would discuss, but basically, they would go much more into depth in what I discuss in this newsletter and it would not have any promotion spots (at least for now).
I'm thinking of starting between $3-8 per month with founding members getting the best deal that will ever be out there.
Would you be interested in joining a paid newsletter about systems, delegation, and working with an OBM/VA?
It's similar to Dubsado and HoneyBook, but I find it to be cheaper and do more of what I want it to do.
It has a scheduler, signing for agreements, forms, project planning, billing, and everything you need to run a service-based business.
Plus, it has a client portal where your clients can access all of your shared documents, forms, materials, and even time spent on activities.
It makes onboarding clients and sending proposals 1 million times easier. It's all in one place and can easily be automated on so many levels.
If you're looking for a new CRM, I highly recommend Moxie.
THE ONE HOUR WIN
MAKE A STOP DOING LIST--YES, FOR REAL
You know when you're feeling like you're doing too much?
Yea, me too.
That means it's time to make a "Stop Doing List."
This is probably more like a 15-minute win today, but a win, nonetheless.
Take a few minutes and write down a minimum of 3 things you can stop doing to give you more peace and save you time.
Here's my list for May to give you inspiration.
Stop posting daily on social media. You don't enjoy it.
Stop trying to make someone's idea of success and what a solid schedule looks like for your life. You're life is not predictable.
Stop sending proposals without an expiration date.
And here's the hardest part, you have to commit to stopping these things to see any improvement.
I'm committed to stopping mine. Are you?
DELEGATION INSPIRATION
SET EXPECTATIONS EARLY
Reality Expectation GIF by Disney
Maybe you've never hired a VA before, maybe you have and it hasn't worked out, or maybe you're a hiring super pro.
Either way, this advice stands.
Set expectations with your VA (or OBM or copywriter or bookkeeper, whomever) early.
In fact, I recommend setting them during your first real meeting.
Explain to the person you will be working with how you like to be communicated with, when they should not expect an answer from you, how you like to work, what you expect the work you receive to look like, and anything else that is important to working with you.
Why?
This saves a lot of heartache down the road.
The number 1 issue I see from failed VA/client relationships is that expectations were not set. Either the VA didn't tell the client their expectations or the client didn't tell the VA their expectations, so everyone ends up unhappy.
We combat this at Bohannon Virtual Solutions by providing an expectation setting exercise for our VAs to do with their clients during onboarding meetings.
That way it feels less awkward, because I requested they do it instead of the VA AND it gets done early on.
TIME FOR WHAT YOU LOVE
WHAT SPARKS YOUR CREATIVITY?
Feel free to join me on my personal Medium account. It's nothing magical, but it's real.
Finding a creative outlet for myself is something I've been thinking about a lot lately.
I've always had these ideas of grandeur and these stories and artworks that pop into my mind, but I've never been able to bring them the life the way I envision them.
So I've pushed them down and away.
But lately, they've been coming back really strong and the other day (literally 10 days ago) I felt called to share my stories.
Finding a way to be creative is very important, even if you're more logical like I tend to be.
We have to have a way to express ourselves and allow ourselves to process our emotions.
For you, this could be crocheting, making music, singing, crafting, woodworking, gardening, writing, painting: literally anything that allows you to create.
I want to encourage you to take time this week to create something--no matter how small.
Personally, I've decided to write.
I've got a lot of stories to share, some of them great, some of them hard to read. But if you're interested (no pressure at ALL!), feel free to follow me over on Medium from my PERSONAL account where I'll be talking about my personal life, parenting, being a recovering perfectionist, and the struggles I've faced throughout my life.
And if you have a creative outlet you'd be willing to share with me, I'd be honored. Feel free to send me a link or whatever you're comfortable with.
BOHANNON VIRTUAL SOLUTIONS RECOMMENDS
NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES
Our VA Chizoba recommends noise cancelling headphones for those days when you're just distracted by EVERYTHING!
Not only are they an Amazon Choice for noise cancelling headphones, but they have a coupon for 20% off this week!
With 9,032 reviews and a 4.5 star rating, I think $39.99 (minus 20%) is a pretty good deal for these and I'm eyeballing them myself.
They're wireless and use bluetooth and Chizoba uses them to focus on her work every day.
I know my emails have been a little late the last few weeks. Sorry about that.
You see, we GREATLY decreased my kids' iPad time each day to 1 hour LOLOLOL
And BOY, my kids are talkers.
So I've been able to set aside time for client work, but for things like emailing, it's been difficult as we navigate a new schedule and getting used to being bored around here.
I truly believe this generation of kids does not know how to be bored and I'm not contributing to it anymore.
I'm a certified teacher. I know better. So I'm going to be better.
Business & Balance, by Sammy Bohannon, is THE for small business owners who are ready to grow their business in a way that's true to them. Each week you'll get an idea for building systems in a way that's right for you, a quick win you can do in an hour or less, and a challenge to make time for something you love outside of business. It’s all about working smarter, not harder, so you can be successful in business without having to sacrifice what you love.