It’s gettin’ hot in here:

Whether your business heats up or slows down, the pace always changes in the summer. It’s easy to let the summer pass you by without taking advantage of all that summer offers.

This list will help you make the best possible use of these dog days of summer:

First off, who says business has to be boring? Take the summer as an opportunity to mix things up and infuse new life into your business.

1. Get new headshots

Why not take advantage of that summer glow and have new headshots taken by a professional photographer? In fact, it might be smart to get new headshots of your whole team.

2. Schedule a business photo shoot

Your business also is looking it’s best this time of year. It’s an ideal time to have a professional photographer capture your business while the grass is green and the flowers are blooming.

3. Update your print materials

It seems like you never notice you’re low on business cards, rack cards or brochures until you run out. Now is a great time to take stock of what you have on hand and re-order if necessary. If your print collateral is out of date, or simply dated, now is a great time for a redesign.

4. Create a marketing calendar

Fourth quarter will creep up on you before you know it. Do you have goals you need to reach to close out the year strong? If so you’ll need a solid marketing plan to help you reach those goals.

5. Redesign your website

The average business redesigns their website every three years. Technology changes fast and search engines like Google keep tweaking their algorithms. If your site isn’t up to date summer is a great time to take on that project.

6. Finally start a blog

You’ve heard that blogs are a great way to drive traffic to your website, and cultivate customer relationships, but you just haven’t gotten around to it yet? There is no time like the present to launch your blog and watch the leads come in.

7. Write a case study

Have some clients past or present that love you? Did you do something really amazing? Write it up as a case study. People always connect to a story, and it’s a great way to show potential clients what they can expect from you. 

8. Read a book

It seems like every week a new business book is released and it’s hard to keep up with everything in our field sometimes. This is a great time to learn something new, or to get inspired. Don’t have time to read? Listen to one in your car during your commute.

9. Do a charity project

Nonprofits get a lot of love during the holidays, but often summer is a slow time for donations and volunteering. Organize an employee project like a park cleanup or a personal care items drive (shelters and food pantries always need soap, shampoo, toothbrushes etc.)

10. Research your competition

It’s always good to keep tabs on your competition, but sometimes the day to day stuff gets in the way. What are your competitors doing well? What can you learn from them, both good and bad? How is their website performing compared to yours?

Celebrate summer!

Of course don’t forget to have fun too! In fact over here at Graziani Multimedia we’re happy to take some of these tasks off of your plate so you have more time to enjoy the sunshine.