Author: Odette Fernandez

The Ultimate Guide To A Successful B2B SEO Campaign

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

The old school, black hat marketing, and search engine optimization tactics are dead. The AI crawler bots get more and more intelligent as time passes, as does what they’re looking for. 

They are no longer looking for a recipe of “magic keywords.” They’re looking for aggregated themes on topics related to the initial search. They’re looking for concepts and ideas that naturally incorporate those keywords. 

In the B2B market, SEO is a long-term, comprehensive content strategy that enhances your brand’s awareness, authority, and credibility online. It’s an organic, unpaid tactic that is high content output, but low monetary output. 

 

 

The primary difference between B2B SEO strategies and B2C methods is the audience. With a B2C customer, they’re the end user and generally the sole decision maker. A B2B SEO campaign has to target multiple levels of decision-makers with different search intents. 

Your content should be directed at CEOs, directors, and operations managers, not just the line-level employee who may be the end user. This requires a higher level of specificity and a longer, more complex sales funnel. 

A B2B audience is more interested in who you are and what you stand for than what your product photos look like. They’re looking for an industry partner they can trust for a longer-term working relationship, not necessarily a one-off purchase. 

B2B SEO By The Numbers

The numbers are in, and the SEO professionals across the globe have spoken. According to them, the number one most important element that affects your content’s SERP rankings is optimized on-page elements like meta titles and descriptions. But the very next result is the accuracy and quality of the content on-site.[1]

Recently, Google shared a few other statistics related to B2B operations[2]: 

  • Just under 90% of B2B decision makers conduct online product research
  • 24% of non-C-suite team members have sign-off authority but 64% lie with C-suite
  • Mobile devices are used for 49% of B2B product research

Proven B2B SEO Strategies

SEO isn’t a mystery but B2B strategies require a more nuanced approach. 

On-Page SEO

On-page elements are your written content such as blog articles, FAQ pages, location pages, and keyword placement. In a B2B market, common keywords tend to be low volume and lower competition. 

This content should follow the themes that match your brand values and solve the problems your audience has. If you’re designing your content to serve a purpose, to serve your clients, the keyword will be a natural addition. 

Tell the AI bots what your website is all about so Google can do its job, and serve the best results possible to the searcher. By providing the highest-quality and most accurate content possible, you feed the search engine what it wants and increase the prospect’s estimation of your business.  

Audit these three elements of your on-page content to boost your SERP rankings.

Holistic Keyword Research

Conduct in-depth, holistic, and value-driven research keywords based on what is already ranking and what has lower competition. Dig into what your decision makers are searching for and design your content strategy to match.

Peek At The Competition

The first few results will be sponsored ads. Skip those. Look at only the organic content and analyze why it’s at the top of the SERP. Is it a detailed, high-quality piece, video content, or a linkable asset?

Make Yours Better

Your brand has its own unique approach, its own perspective. Use this to create content that outshines the competition. Research keyword variations or location-based keywords to enhance your content. Format for easy reading and include engaging graphics. Make it great!

Off-Page SEO

You will have less control of off-page B2B SEO elements, but they’re extremely useful for building authority and credibility online. These tactics will show who you’re connected to in the online space, who links to your content, and who your industry partners are. 

Off-page SEO includes content collaborations, your backlink strategy, guest posts, digital PR pieces, and local or social platform content and listings. All of these elements tell the algorithm that others consider your content to be legitimate and helpful. The more off-page authority you’re able to build, the more often the AI bots are to serve your website higher on SERPs. 

Technical SEO

Technical SEO refers to the back-end, coded, and programmed elements of your website. Optimizing these fundamentals is necessary to ensure your site is effectively communicating with search engines. 

It’s in Google’s job description to share high-quality results to search engine users and to provide a seamless process. The algorithm may promote a better, cleaner website over one with better content to serve its own objective. 

Here are a few technical adjustments you can make to ensure your website meets search engine expectations. 

Audit Page Loading

Slow page loading is a significant factor that could lead to a drop in rankings. You have a maximum of a few short seconds to load your data and images completely. Any longer and your visitors will leave. This increases your bounce rate and will impact your overall rankings. 

Strong Mobile Optimization

This is more than just checking the “mobile view” on your web developer. It’s ensuring the content is formatted for easy mobile reading and using pop-ups sparingly. It’s optimizing your local listings and preparing content to match voice searches. 

Test Navigation 

All of your content and services should be easy to find. Use breadcrumb navigation to make it easy for viewers to backtrack. Don’t overcomplicate it with too many menus or fixed scrolling bars. Keep it simple and your content organized. 

Verify All Links

Follow every link on your website, both external and internal. Double check that they are still in working order and point to what the content says they point to.

Create A Site Map

A site map will show the search engine crawlers everything your website has to offer. There are online tools you can use to create one for your site and submit the file to Google. Make sure it’s also listed on your home page.

Launch Your Successful B2B SEO Campaign!

Create B2B content with the intention to serve, more than sell, and leverage these simple tactics to boost your B2B SEO campaign. 

Sources:

[1]https://www.statista.com/statistics/633151/effective-seo-tactics/ 

[2]https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/consumer-insights/consumer-trends/the-changing-face-b2b-marketing/

 

 —————-Author Bio Below

Jason started freelancing in SEO back in college, sold his first agency, and now is the founder of Zupo, which is an Orange County based SEO consulting agency helping construct powerful long-term SEO strategies for our clients. Jason also enjoys multiple cups of tea a day, hiding away on weekends, catching up on reading, and rewatching The Simpsons for the 20th time.

Must-Have Apps That Small Business Owners Need

Posted on by Odette Fernandez
man talking on the phone
Image via Pexels

When you’re running a small business, anything that can help boost productivity and save time is worth exploring. With that in mind, Utility Avenue presents this list of must-have apps that can help you increase your efficiency, so you can concentrate on what’s most important.

1. ClickUp

One way to save time is through all-in-one apps. ClickUp is a simple, but powerful, project management app that lets you manage your projects, tasks, and notifications all in one place. It enhances your productivity by centralizing the way you capture, track, report on, and share activities with everyone who needs to know.

But where it shines is in its built-in time tracker and workload calculator. The built-in timer and graph provide a quick and easy way to see how much time a staff member spent on a task, who is overworked, and who has gotten behind.

2. TripIt

If you regularly travel for business, you know the hassle of juggling multiple apps and bookings to keep track of transportation and work-related expenses. TripIt is an all-in-one travel organizer that lets you add flights, hotels, car rentals, and restaurant bookings in one account. TripIt also automatically organizes everything and generates a detailed expense report, saving you time and money.

3. Utility Avenue

This is a great app for buying and selling services in your area. Utility Avenue is great for entrepreneurs and small business owners, as well as those who just want to make a little extra money with a side-hustle. You can list your services for free and it only costs you 50 cents to sell a service, allowing you to save money and cut out the middleman as you reach a huge audience!

4. Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is a time-saver for business owners who have to deal with an overflow of documents on projects. It helps keep all your work in order and speeds up the process of finding specific information. You can combine PDFs into one file, but it also works like a digital binder with several compartments. You can even move PDF pages around to put your material in the proper order once you combine them.

5. QuickBooks

Another way to save time is by keeping track of expenses, mileage, and other tax deductions. The QuickBooks app lets you do all that with the convenience of your smartphone. It also makes filing your taxes a breeze by putting everything in one place and helping you find deductions.

6. Balance API Feature

Finally, you can avoid costly credit card fees and give your customers peace of mind with a bank account balance API. The integration allows you to avoid expensive processing costs, while also allowing customers to make payments in their preferred way — whether that’s online or through a mobile app.

Team Collaboration

When you work with a team, effective communication is essential for success. That’s where team collaboration apps, like Slack and Asana, come in handy. Slack is a messaging app that makes it easier to stay in touch, while Asana has a to-do list system that’s great for keeping track of tasks and deadlines. These apps help you:

  • Communicate effectively with your team
  • Keep everyone in the loop
  • Cut down on email usage, and
  • Track task progress and deadlines

Use Apps Strategically

If you’re running a small business, there’s a good chance you’re juggling a lot of tasks. Fortunately, there are plenty of apps available to make your life easier.

Utility Avenue is a platform where you can buy and sell services. Turn your skills or hobbies into money, and thrive. Join the community today!

 

Article by Tina Martin

The Best Free and Paid Tools for Small Businesses

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

Small businesses are under pressure to find the best possible way to compete in a world that’s quickly becoming dominated by big, international corporations. 

Don’t fret! There are so many tools out there for small business owners who want to stay on top of their game. 

Here are some free and paid tools that can improve customer satisfaction, increase online engagement, streamline operations, and, ultimately, positively impact a small business’s bottom line. Let’s get started.

Collage HairStudio Miami by Odette Photo+Art

Our top 5 free and paid services for small businesses

#1: Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a free service that provides detailed statistics on where visitors are coming from, how they got to your website, and what they do while they’re there. This information can help you improve your site’s content, advertising, and design so it appeals more strongly to potential customers and leads them through the purchasing process.

Don’t know where to start? Google offers some great tutorials and guides that are easy for small business owners of any skill level to understand. You can also check out this video series by Google on how to use their services.

#2: Yammer

A social media site for businesses to connect with their employees, customers, partners, and others. Yammer is a great way to connect with your employees and show you appreciate their hard work on the business. Plus, it’s a great place for businesses to learn more about what consumers are saying about their company.

#3: Remitly

If you’re outsourcing work to freelancers in foreign countries, bank transfers can be cost-prohibitive. Instead, you can utilize a low-fee money transfer service like Remitly which offers fast transfers at fair exchange rates. For example, if you need to pay workers in The Philippines, you’ll only be charged a fee of $3.99 for express delivery service.

#4: Constant Contact

Constant Contact is an all-in-one marketing platform that provides email marketing, automation, social media management, and more. This is a great tool for businesses that want to manage all of their marketing in one place. They also have some great features like custom landing pages, lead generation forms, and the ability to create email lists that can help you build your business.

#5: Zendesk

Zendesk is a free support ticket system that provides a central way for customers to contact your company and get answers quickly and efficiently (even if you’re not around) and even helps you track what they’re asking for so you don’t have to ask them! Zendesk also offers different pricing structures for businesses of any size. Check out the plans here.

Honorable mentions: IFTTT and Google My Business

IFTTT is a free service that allows you to create your own “recipes” to automate certain actions based on events. For example, you could automatically send yourself a text message when someone posts about your company on Twitter or send an email when Google updates their mobile search algorithm.

Google My Business is a free service that helps you build your local business brand on Google and customers to find out more information about your business like opening hours, directions, and customer reviews. It’s perfect for small businesses that want to connect with potential customers in the area.

These are just some of the many great tools out there for small businesses. SMBs need to be able to use the right tools at the right time. If you don’t know where to start, try any of the tools in this list. There are hundreds of other great tools available online, as well. You just need to know where to start. 

Turn your hobbies and skills into cash by joining the Utility Avenue community!

Image by Odette Photo+Art

Article written by Gloria Martinez exclusively for Utility Avenue.

How Busy Entrepreneurs Can Affordably Get Away to Restore and Renew

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

How Busy Entrepreneurs Can Affordably Get Away to Restore and Renew

restore and renew with a trip

We all need a break once in a while — even those in the midst of building a new business. There’s a reason they call it the daily grind, and staying in your regular routine for too long will eventually wear you down. Sure, you can do small things like partner with an online service to help establish your venture. It’s smart to lean on tech tools and services that take a load off your plate. But it’s all too easy to end up burned out by business — especially as a budding entrepreneur. 

And even with a regular yoga practice, exercise routine, and clean eating, you can still find yourself running on empty. That’s why getting away is so important. 

And it’s true, many people don’t take vacations nearly often enough. This comes down to several factors, and for many, affordability is at the top of the list. Vacations are expensive…right? Not necessarily. With the right planning and a sharp eye for deals, you can make a trip totally affordable and enjoyable. 

Below, Utility Avenue offers some of the best budget travel tips so that you can have the break you deserve to restore and renew.

 

Don’t Rule Out a Staycation

Sometimes, kicking back and enjoying some much-needed rest and relaxation at home is exactly what you need to recharge your batteries. Staycations are affordable and, for the most part, stress-free. And you can improve upon the experience by ensuring your house is in optimized condition for relaxing. So, before your vacation kicks into high gear, spend some time cleaning, decluttering, and organizing the space so you don’t spend your entire “getaway” staring at and worrying about unfinished projects and things that need to be 

 

Getting There

Often, the actual travel itself is the most expensive part of going on vacation. Our gut instinct is usually to schedule a flight but plane tickets can be pricey. There are ways to mitigate these costs; for example, it’s best to use an incognito browser to purchase tickets since some websites increase the costs of flights based on your browser history. You can also look into budget airlines, which take in-flight snacks and checked luggage out of the base price. 

Alternatively, you can skip the airport altogether and go on a road trip. See if there are any interesting or relaxing destinations a few hours from where you live. Find neat stops you can check out along the way, and you can even make the ride part of the vacation. Plus, you can even stop for outdoor yoga practices and reconnect with nature.
 

Where to Stay

There are several options for finding budget-friendly accommodations on your trip. For example, you could travel to an area where a friend lives and see if you can stay with them. If this isn’t an option, research different hotels and vacation rentals at your destination. There’s no hard and fast rule for what’s the least expensive, so you’ll have to do the legwork to find a good deal.

You can also cut stay costs by traveling with a group. Vacation rentals often have full kitchens, which can make a big difference in your overall costs since you won’t have to eat out as much. A larger vacation rental split among several people will usually cost a lot less than a small hotel room for just one or two. Plus, you’ll have plenty of people to hang out with during your trip.

 

What to Do

Going on outings during a vacation can get pricey, quick. Often people will hit up local shops and big tourist destinations, which are priced for those looking to spend. If you’re looking to save, however, they may not be the right pick. One great way to get out and check out the area without spending a ton is to hit up local nature centers or parks. Not only will this be a low- or no-cost outing, but it will also give you a chance to reduce anxiety and spend quality time outdoors. And rather than signing up for pricey drop-in classes at nearby yoga studios, you can enjoy an online sequence that’s free and fits your schedule. 

If you do decide to do some local shopping, minimize the damage to your pocketbook by bringing only as much cash as you’re willing to spend. Once you run out, that’s it, and stick to it – don’t bust out your credit card to get one last thing. This way you’ll be sure you only spend what you can actually afford.

Going on vacation doesn’t have to break the bank, and it’s a crucial part of keeping a healthy balance as a new entrepreneur. Make a plan, stick to your budget, and be wary of expensive tourist traps, and you’ll be able to travel without spending a ton. Everyone deserves a good vacation: Are you ready for yours?

 

Written by Cody McBride for Utility Avenue

Photo Credit: Unsplash

Spotlight: Tracey Hagen Photography

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

Tracey Hagen Photography

Tracey Hagen, owner and photographer at Tracey Hagen Photography, gets the center stage today in our Spotlight.

Tracey Hagen, photographed by Odette Photo+Art

What can you tell us about yourself?

My name is Tracey Hagen, and I am Miami-based personal branding, headshot & boudoir portrait photographer. I have been a professional portrait photographer in Miami for nineteen years. I am a native of Miami Beach, where my family has lived for almost a century.

I love what I do. Empowering women to look and feel gorgeous with a magazine-style model for a day photoshoot. I want your portrait session to be an empowering, inspiring & luxurious experience. My job is to take the best photographs that you have ever seen of yourself and share with you the goddess I see in you.

I specialize in headshots & personal branding glamour portraits that empower the everyday real woman to shine your essence of who you are and also to have fun being pampered in the experience.

I believe that all people deserve to exist in images. My mission is to show you the beauty others see when they look at you.

My promise is that I will capture the most beautiful portraits you have ever seen of yourself, and that will be your legacy images to pass down to the next generation. Since I have experienced both my parents passing away, I understand the value of having beautiful photographic images exist for the next 100 years as your legacy.

Tracey Hagen, photographed by Odette Photo+Art

What were the origins of your business?

I have been taking photographs since I was a child. I was the one in high school who always had the camera, and you could find me in the art classroom at any given time. I studied photography in college and started my business 19 years ago. I had a juried residency at the South Florida Art Center on Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. After a couple of years, I applied for a juried residency at The Bakehouse art complex in Wynwood, where my studio was located for four years.

What aspects of your background have helped you the most?

I would say definitely my creativity. I have had a real estate license since 1996, and my background in reading and writing contracts and the business side of things has helped my photography business.

What were the main challenges you encountered at the beginning?

My main challenge, in the beginning, was juggling being a Realtor and a portrait photographer. When I would go to networking events, I was not sure which card to hand out.

Who was the most supportive of your idea?

My Mom.

Have there been any changes in your business approach after Covid-19?

Yes, I actually opened a photo studio in 2020 during Covid! Crazy, right! Since my son was homeschooling, my husband was working from home, and my dogs were home from doggie daycare, I needed my own space for my portrait sessions. My team and I wear masks, social distance, fans, air purifiers, wiping down high contact services, and only one portrait session a day.

What makes your offer unique?

I am offering a unique experience. You will feel empowered and be pampered with a model makeover for the day and a magazine-style photoshoot at my studio. Your chosen image will be exhibited as a work of art in an exhibition to share with and empower other women worldwide. The story of your life experience since 40 years of age will be shared, and you will be featured in my limited edition printed magazine. Plus, you get promotional savings with a value of $700 for just $400.

Vicki B. shot by Tracey Hagen.

Do you have any other passions?

Besides photography, my other passion is rescuing animals. I love all animals. I have at home 2 rescue cats and 2 rescue dogs.

If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

I would start meditating as a teenager.

What challenges do you see ahead?

The challenge I see ahead is not having assistants and being too busy with portrait sessions. With Covid, I am keeping my staff to a minimum at the studio.

What future projects does your business have?

I am currently launching THE EMPOWERED 40 OVER 40 PORTRAIT SERIES. I would also love to do a boudoir series as well in the future.

What message would you send to your followers?

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, CONFIDENT & EMPOWERED at any age!

If you were to define your business in one sentence, how would you do it?

Empowering women to look and feel gorgeous with a magazine-style model for a day photoshoot.

Isabel bubble gum headshot photo by Tracey Hagen Photography

 

Jeweler headshots, photo by Tracey Hagen

Tracey Hagen’s Contact Info

FB @traceyhagenphotography

IG @traceyhagenphotography

305-586-3584

Email tracey@traceyhagenphotography.com

https://www.traceyhagenphotography

Resources for Small Businesses Recovering from COVID-19

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

Resources for Small Businesses Recovering from COVID-19

open sign

No matter what industry you’re in, the pandemic has certainly made the last year more complicated. Fortunately, however, we’re approaching the finish line. Here are some resources to help you successfully transition out of pandemic mode, presented by Utility Avenue.

 

Remain Flexible For Your Team 

The pandemic has helped us see the power of an adaptable workplace. 

  • Except in cases where remote work isn’t possible, consider continuing to offer remote options to employees who have thrived while working from home. 
  • Remote collaboration tools can help your employees work together no matter where they are. 
  • Where possible, expand schedule flexibility as well in order to make your workplace suit your employees’ most productive times. 

 

Embrace Technology 

The pandemic drove customers online – meet them there.

  • Studies have shown that the pandemic significantly increased how much time people spend online. 
  • Consider adding new forms of online marketing, such as expanding your blog or starting a podcast. Be sure to hire a pro to ensure you create a polished, professional product. 
  • Focus on ways to bring your services into a virtual setting – check out our approach for inspiration. 

 

Plan for the Future 

Are you ready for the post-COVID world?

  • Take some time to research what kind of changes experts anticipate that we’ll see due to the pandemic. 
  • Consult with a financial advisor to get the best tips for how to nurture your finances coming out of the pandemic. 
  • Focus on creating a strong, flexible business that can adapt to changing markets in the future. 
  • If you want to learn more about business and apply those skills to your own endeavor, take some classes via an online university.

 

If your business struggled through the pandemic, know that you’re not alone. As vaccines roll out and cities can open back up, the economy is expected to recover. With the right moves, you’ll be able to thrive in the post-pandemic world! 

Article written by Gloria Martinez for Utility Avenue
Photo Credit: Pexels

Spotlight: Oh D’Luxe Candle Company

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

For today’s Spotlight, we have Oh D’Luxe Candle Company, a small business owned by Oddette Staple-Brown.

Name/Business Name

Oh D’Luxe Candle Company

What can you tell us about yourself?

I am a creative, always have been. Even though I hold an undergraduate degree in Business, a Graduate degree in HR, and previously worked in both professions, I am happiest when I get to express my creative side.

What were the origins of your business?

Oh D’Luxe Candle company started out of a profound love for candles. I would always have a lot of candles in my house, but as much money as I spent on candles, it would be a hit or miss with the quality in respect to the scent throw.
Fast-forward to the pandemic and like everyone else, I was trying to find something to do to pass the time. That’s when I thought why not make my own candles. I did the research, which included YouTube, Facebook candle groups, Google, etc, I purchased supplies, coupled with the support & encouragement from my husband & the rest is history.

What aspects of your background have helped you the most?

Currently, I am at the part of my business where the “business aspect” is taking center stage. We recently started selling our candles wholesale to different stores, participating in more vendor events all while running our online store. It is time like these that I am thankful for my degrees in business and my accounting experience.

What were the main challenges you encountered at the beginning?

One of the biggest challenges that I faced, in the beginning, was understanding the chemistry and science behind candle making. This involved months of testing and trials to fine-tune the processes that best worked for me and my vision.

Who was the most supportive of your idea?

My husband and business partner was and is still my biggest supporter. He was the one that suggested that I considered selling the candles that I made. At his prompting, I introduced the candles to my church family and they fell in love with them and Oh D’Luxe Candle Company was born.

Have there been any changes in your business approach after Covid-19?

Covid-19 is the reason why I started this business. If the world did not slow down, I would have been too busy doing other things that I may not have considered starting a candle business.

What makes your offer unique?

We sell high-quality, luxurious-smelling candles that will fill a room, at an affordable price. As a candle lover, our products should be what I have always wanted in a candle.

Do you have any other passions?

Yes, I love to sing, blog, write poetry, work with kids, read, spend time with my family, and of course sleep.

If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

Nothing, absolutely nothing. I pondered this question over and over in my head and decided that everything not only worked out the way they should, but I have no regrets. I loved and love hard, I wear my heart on my sleeve. My loved ones who have gone on before me, knew how much I loved them before they left. “Bad” decisions that I’ve made have helped me develop into the badass I am today. With that being said, I can truly say, I wouldn’t change a thing!

What challenges do you see ahead?

As a small business that is under a year old, we are already experiencing our fair share of challenges. A few of the challenges that we are currently navigating are, finding more customers, increasing our brand awareness, building our email list, and standing out in an oversaturated market.

What future projects does your business have?

I love working with kids and education is something that I am very passionate about. At Oh D’Luxe Candle Company we are committed to donating a percentage of our sales each month to help with educating the youth in our community.
In the future, we would love to open our own educational center where kids could get homework help, counseling, play games, get their laundry done and get a hot meal if they are unable to get these things done at home.

What message would you send to your followers?

We are so grateful, thankful, and blessed to have all our followers on this journey with us. So many of our followers are not only customers but repeat customers and we are so appreciative of your support. Without you, there would be no Oh D’Luxe Candle Company and we thank you!

Define your business in one sentence.

Luxurious-smelling candles at an affordable price.

Oh D’Luxe Candle Company’s  Info

https://www.facebook.com/ohdluxecandles

https://www.instagram.com/ohdluxecandles/

https://ohdluxecandles.com/

hello@ohdluxecandles.com

Finding balance in business and life

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

When talking about entrepreneurship or business, we forget the essential: the balance of the entrepreneur himself. Your business is a reflection of you.

Entrepreneurship requires emotional balance. “A mind at peace will have a company at peace.” 

If you have balance in work and life, it will increase creativity, concentration, and leadership skills, improve memory and emotional intelligence, reduce negative stress, depression, work exhaustion, anxiety, and blood pressure. It will also strengthen your immune system, can reduce physical pain, eliminate insomnia and reduce the symptoms of post-traumatic stress when you have gone through severe stages of life.

As a small business owner, it can be challenging to find time for anything. Even in your supposed downtime, you invest time into ensuring the company runs smoothly. The truth is most of us work almost ALL the time.

I was doing some research and found this useful article I wanted to share with you to make sure we take time to pause, and smell the roses. It is hard, but it is necessary!

__________________________________________________

Work-life balance as an always-busy professional can be hard, if not impossible, to find. When you don’t focus on your well-being, however, both your health as well as your relationships can suffer. Being busy is essential for success, but so is knowing when to stake a step back.

Work-Life Balance for a Growing Business

So, with such an active lifestyle, how does an entrepreneur know how to balance work and pleasure? To find the answer, we asked 10 members of Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) the following question:

“What’s one way always-busy small business leaders and employees can establish work-life boundaries while experiencing rapid growth in their business?”

1. Focus on the Things That Really Matter

“Most people don’t focus on the things that really matter. If you plan your day out, it typically goes much better than being reactive. It can be very hard, but it keeps you from doing things like spending three hours to mail something trivial, or two hours on customer service trying to debate a $20 bill.” ~ James Guldan, Vision Tech Team

2. Set a Hard Stopping Time Each Day

“Set a hard stopping time each day and stick to it. I fell into the trap of working 16-hour days for a long time and would start procrastinating since I could ‘just get it done tonight.’ I found that when I set a hard stop at 7 p.m., I actually started getting more done in less time and my business flourished because of it.” ~ James Simpson, GoldFire Studios

3. Create a Defined Workspace and a Routine

“Create a defined workspace and create a routine. Now more than ever, people are working from home and this makes keeping work-life boundaries even more difficult. I’ve found that the best way to maintain these boundaries is by finding a routine that works for you and also creating a dedicated workspace that is separate from your living space.” ~ Brian David Crane, Caller Smart Inc.

4. Spend Time With Family and Friends Every Week

“Making the effort to spend time with family and friends every week (without answering emails or taking calls during that time) is very important for balancing work with life. If you’re going out to dinner with your family or friends, leave the phone at home or in the car so you’re fully present.” ~ Kristin Kimberly Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC

5. Explain Why You Work Long Hours

“There is nothing more destructive to your personal relationships than forgetting to explain to your loved ones why you are working long hours. Taking the time to explain your desired working hours, and what you hope to achieve in the short term, will help them to better accommodate your endeavors. The last thing an entrepreneur needs is a confused home life.” ~ Ismael Wrixen, FE International

6. Try to Keep Work Off Your Phone

“If you’re able, try to keep work off your phone and limit it to just your computer. That way, when you finish the day and walk away from your computer, you won’t be hounded by incoming work messages or notifications. Work-life balance can be critical to your success and longevity, so make sure you invest in it.” ~ Dave Nevogt, Hubstaff

7. Have Two Separate Phones

“Have two phones — one for work and one for your private life. Things can get messy when you have everything coming to one phone. It can make switching off impossible. You need to avoid burning out as this can be detrimental to your performance. Always work on maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Think of your brain as a muscle. If it doesn’t get time to rest, it won’t perform at its best.” ~ Ibrahim Alkurd, New Mine

8. Explore Automation Tools and Platforms

“Business owners need to explore tools and platforms that can automate tasks. It’s also worth considering hiring a virtual assistant to help out. Although these steps may be an added expense, you’re freeing up more time that can be put to your personal needs. Time is the most valuable thing you have, which is why you should reduce your workload and focus on your personal life.” ~ Blair Williams, MemberPress

9. Take Advantage of ‘Away’ and ‘Snooze’

“Take advantage of ‘away’ and ‘snooze’ functions. Snooze your Slack and be vigilant about your ‘away’ messages. As leaders, you must set this standard and not respond to messages or concerns unless they are deemed an emergency. Your employees will follow suit. Set these standards of availability as boundaries and the transgression of them to be scope creep. If you really cannot get away, revise your model.” ~ Matthew Capala, Alphametic

10. Delegate Smaller Tasks to Other Members

“I’ve found that by delegating smaller tasks to other members of the team, I’m able to have a decent work-life balance. Instead of putting everything on your shoulders, think about how you can bring your team together to solve some of these problems. In many cases, a lack of balance occurs when a boss thinks that they need to have a hand in every single thing that happens within the company.” ~ John Turner, SeedProd LLC

This article was first published here: https://smallbiztrends.com/2020/08/work-life-balance-growing-business.html