3 Tips for Entrepreneurs to Plan 2023

3 Tips for Entrepreneurs to Plan 2023

by Trudi Roach

How to Create a successful New Year Plan for your Business

I know planning for the New Year in your business often feels like a mixed bag of all the emotions, you're excited about all the possibilities, but you're also thinking about everything that didn't "go as planned" from last year.

It's even possible that you're excited about planning but not sure how to do it effectively or what it will take to follow.

Or, if you're like a lot of my clients, planning feels too stuffy and formal, numbers-oriented and uncreative, so you try and avoid it.

But there's power in a plan", as I said to one client who runs an online store that sells high-end, handmade bags and accessories.

Her reply …

"Sure, but I have a problem sticking to a plan without changing my mind 10 times or simply just losing interest in it."

ARGH!!!!… I get it.

We all love the idea of a plan.

But as creative entrepreneurs, it's often the implementation that gets us.

Well, planning is not something you can avoid if you want to build a revenue-generating business.

A plan gives you direction and creates space for creativity and inspiration.

I want to give you my 3 quick tips around planning so you can actually achieve your new goals.

I'm sharing my three no-fail tips to help you with your plans!

How to Plan For 2023 in Your Business

Tip #1

SET GOOD, BETTER, AND BEST GOALS

This simple strategy is the cornerstone of how big clothing brands operate. I started recommending this approach to my clients, and it's helpful to frame up your results.

Remember that feeling when you miss a goal, you get down on yourself? It can throw your productivity and passion off track, which might even be one of the reasons you loathe planning in the first place.

So, head into the new year with confidence you want to set a Good, Better, and Best goal for your annual revenue for 2023.

List all three, but map out the "Best" scenario when planning for the year ahead. Then, if you fall short on some of your goals, you'll still hit the "Good" or "Better" bracket!

Wondering how to put this into action for your business?

Let's do some easy math:

Let's say your monthly sales goal is $10,000, with a total annual sales revenue of $120,000.

That's your BEST Goal.

Your sales goals might have a $1,000 difference between them or $10,000 – the number or increments between Good/Better/Best isn't essential. It's all about what feels good for you.

So, if you hit $8000 in a specific month, you can still feel good; you've hit your Good level goal!

And maybe $9000 is Better!

Precise goal setting is one of the ways I love supporting my FashionVIP clients because we spend time mapping out business goals and the strategies to bring those plans to life.

Sometimes it can feel terrifying to take action on your goals, but this a great approach to building consistent goals into your business (even if you hate crunching numbers)!

How to Plan For 2023 in Your Business

Tip #2

MAP OUT YOUR MARKETING

After you've created your product plan, your marketing is key to a successful brand.

Marketing is not only how you attract people to your business but how you nurture them and turn them into customers.

Yet, so many people approach marketing as an 'in the moment social post,' an afterthought to buying all their inventory, or worst yet, trying something new all the time to see what works!

Strong marketing begins with a plan that maps out when, how, and where you will show up in your business weekly.

How would you like to show up in 2023?

Think about the platforms you want to optimize and those you'd like to avoid (and ps. that's OK, too, it's your business, your choice).

And think about how you want to share your content.

Don't try to do all the things, every platform, all at once.

Now, start to plan out your content monthly (making it a goal to work up to 90 days)!

Yes, it's possible.

You can first think about seasonal promotions and the holidays (Valentines, Easter, Back-to-school, National Dashiki Day). Then fill in your special events or promotions from there.

Need more support connecting your topics to your product to your planned promotions?

Learn more about the Creative Content Bank and how to nurture your audience, so they turn into customers HERE!

This Creative Content Bank is the quick start you need to create engaging, authentic content your audience is waiting to consume.

How to Plan For 2023 in Your Business

Tip #3

TIME BLOCK YOUR SCHEDULE

This hack will save you so much time in the New Year. It's all about time blocking.

One of the tactics I've been using since 2020 has been time block my calendar to map out when I will create my content, have client calls, to my admin, etc.

As you plan out your 2023, think about the times and days of the week where you might best be in flow to do specific tasks. I'm not gonna lie; this has taken me a couple of tries. For example, I've shifted my client days around a few times, so I can support my clients and problem-solve with them when my energy is high!

I recommend starting with one or two recurring tasks and going from there.

For example, maybe your feel relaxed and creative writing emails to your list on Wednesdays, or perhaps you know you like start Monday mornings with inventory review or billpaying; you decide.

Start small and grow from there.

BONUS TIP: Put time blocks on your calendar as recurring weekly appointments (with yourself) or reminders, and I know you will make things happen and move towards your goals.

CONCLUSION

So, what's your plan? What is going to be different in the next 12 months? What Good/Better/Best Goals will you celebrate at the end of next year?

A plan can save you time and energy and help you focus on your business.

Having a plan will support you in staying on track with your goals.

Having a plan does not need to make you fearful of failing.

A clear plan allows you to take clear action.

And taking action is my superpower, and it's one of the reasons entrepreneurs work with me through my 1:1 FashionVIP Program.

This FashionVIP Program is the jump start you need to create an actionable plan (one that is full of proven strategies and time-savings) and the necessary momentum to take consistent steps to grow your clothing and accessory business.

Spots are limited, with only a few available every month. Learn more about the FashionVIP Program and apply HERE!

Trudi

P.S. Are we connected on Instagram? No? Well, let's fix that. Come hang out with me over on the gram. Follow for inspiration, and send me a DM to know we're connected.