Hey Reader,

Summer is winding down and honestly I am a little sad. Yes, even with this August heat wave! 😅 I am an outside in the sunshine kinda girl so winter is not my favorite. Fall though is fabulous and you can't help but get a little excited about the color show and crisp air coming our way, right?

As small business owners, we also know this is a great time to take a look at our overall revenue for the year and set our goal for Q4. Summer tends to lend toward a more relaxed and laid back season, but once that's over most of us refocus with a renewed energy to put in the work to finish our year with a bang!

Let's make it rain...cash 😉

First you have to know where you are year to date with your revenue, then you can plan out strategies to reach your annual sales goal.

Dig into those numbers...

📈You need to see your income versus your expenses for the year so far. If you have accounting software for your bookkeeping, run your year to date profit and loss report. If this information is in a spreadsheet or handwritten in a notebook, that works too. You just need to subtract your expenses from your gross sales.

🔍Review that number and see if you are on track to reach your goal. If yes, awesome! If no, this is the time to make a plan to drive up your sales.

A few ideas...

The holiday (spend money 🤣) season is coming so that's helpful. Focus on how your services or products make your clients feel and how they help them when writing out your wording for your social media captions, emails or printed marketing materials.

1. Create a special promotion for past clients who may need your services or products again. People like to feel special and appreciated.
2. Implement a rewards program to thank your best clients for referring you or your products. There is no better marketing than the words of a happy client!
3. Find ways to get in front of people who may need your products and services. Yes, in person! This can be vendor events, business association meetings or local leads groups.
4. Host a giveaway contest to help increase your reach and get more eyes on your services or products. Plus people love the chance to win something.
5. Have a flash sale! This needs to have a rather quick turnaround with a definitive end date and time. People love to save money and the quick sale creates a fun sense of urgency.

Bonus tip 👉 Back to that revenue goal. While you are diving into all of your business bookeeping numbers, review your expenses. Check for any recurring costs for subscriptions. If you are still paying for things you no longer use, this is a good time to cancel those subscriptions.

Do you have an awesome marketing idea for Q4? Hit reply and let us know! Seriously, we LOVE hearing from you.😊

Cheers to your success,
Christina & Alexis

PS ~ Need a hand with your bookkeeping? Get in touch and schedule your free 30 minute strategy session!

PPS ~ Click here for to see bookkeeping best practices I've learned as a small business owner and while you're there follow us on Instagram!