Are you ready for 2019, to make it a successful year? For some time now, digital marketer Chris Brogan has used a simple framework to help make his years more successful.
Brogan uses three words to help make his new year a great year.
“I started this process back in 2006. Back then, my 3 words were “Ask. Do. Share.” I picked these very simple words and they served me very well. One of my best years ever. When I asked questions, I learned. When I took action based on what I learned from asking, I made more ground and took over more of the universe. When I shared what I learned with everyone, I made connections and some friends.”
There is always a lot of emphasis on goals and resolutions and such during the first month of the year. A new year is a time where we become a little more introspective.
As a WordPress professional, there are scores of things you want to do better in 2019. Today, I offer you three words you can use as signposts to help you with improvement in the new year.
1. Network
The first word I’m going to use is Network. In the year 2019, consider making use of networking because it is one of the most tried and true ways to get new business, help others, and contribute to your community. Here are four ways to capitalize on networking.
Be my guest
When I say be a guest, I’m not talking about spending weeks at someone’s house. What I am talking about is taking advantage of the opportunity to be a guest blogger or be a guest on a live video or podcast.
Several creative entrepreneurs have live shows online or a podcast. Many are actively looking for someone to be featured.
For a bonus, consider being a guest with someone who has a blog or show in your target market. If you want to dip your toes in the water, appear on a show with someone you know. It helps to get some practice.
Do you have overflow work
Recently I watched a Facebook Live video with an entrepreneur who explained he got a great start by asking others if they had overflow work. What a great idea!
We all have friends in our industry. There’s nothing wrong with asking other WordPress professionals if they have any overflow work they need help with or if they know anyone who does.
In the grand scheme of themes, we are all working together. We need to help each other, and sometimes we take on projects and can get overwhelmed. I have spent many hours reaching out to friends to help with snippets of code or some other problem I was having. It’s a great way to expand your network.
Meet other WordPress professionals
One of the best ways to meet other WordPress professionals is to go to a local WordCamp. There are hundreds across the globe and likely one within a few hours of where you live.
WordCamp is a great place to network in addition to the presentation that takes place. WordCamps are also usually well known for swag. Go get you some swag and exchange business cards. Several cities also have WordPress meetups.
Local Networking events
Do not neglect local networking events. You may have little or no prospects in your area, but you never know when you can meet someone who can be a referer or someone who can help you with projects.
Most communities have a Chamber of Commerce, a Business Networking International group or some other kind of business networking group. Often the investment is a small amount. Some events are free.
If you have a Startup Grind or 1 Million Cups near where you live, those are almost always free events and contain a vast pool from which to network.
Go forth and network like a boss.
2. Learn
Technology changes fast. Every day there is something new. Business changes fast. These are fast-paced environments. We have to keep learning.
Other professions have continuing education. We have continuing education as well. However, we have to do this for ourselves. Learning is an investment we make in our business. Learning is an investment we make in ourselves.
How can we invest in our own learning? There are several ways, but we are going to take a look at just a few.
Read a book or two, or three
If you are like me, you buy enough books to justify a tax write off. You monitor your Amazon purchase history very carefully. Books can be helpful for opening our minds to new ideas, especially when it comes to running our business.
Courses can be an efficient way to learn
I have seen many good courses over the years. You may have taken some of these courses. The e-course industry is a huge industry. Perhaps you have something you can contribute.
With a course, you can learn to be a better writer, design better, run a more profitable business, or create better funnels. There are tons of options to consider.
Other resources you may find useful
There are other resources you can tap into as well. Often I sign up for a webinar because the title hints at something I want to learn more. Additionally, I tend to get emails from people whom I think I can learn more from. Some of the favorite content over the years come from emails.
Finally, there are some creative and developer based online communities. These can be fantastic for networking (see above) and learning more about business or being a better developer.
3. Nurture
My final word for you to consider for 2019 is nurture. In a way, it encompasses networking and learning as these are things we want to nurture in the new year.
However, I am going to mention three areas of your business where nurturing is a great place to practice.
Your email list
How often do your email your list? Here, I am talking about those on your optin list, your email newsletter.
You don’t remember the last time you emailed the list?
It’s time to start new! Start emailing them. No, it doesn’t have to be every day, but once or twice a month is a great start.
Don’t neglect your email list.
Certainly, email your customer list. It can be the same thing you email your optin list.
Your blog readers
There is no doubt that today you can get the most value for SEO right from your blog. If you match the topics to your target audience and answer their questions, you will move forward.
This doesn’t mean you have to post five posts a day. In fact, don’t post five a day. Regular blogging is the first step. Choose a frequency and stick to it for at least six months.
Undoubtedly you will have to put it on your schedule to get it done or have someone else to help you.
Your blog readers are your future customers. Some are your customers now. Nurture them.
Potential Customers
While your blog readers may be your potential customers, you have other potential customers that are not reading your blog. A great place to meet these people is through social media.
A few minutes a day on your favorite social media platform in a community that contains your target market could do wonders. Answer a few questions. Be helpful. By doing this, you begin to nurture those who might not even be on your radar.
Together, these all make up the tribe you have. Nurture that tribe in 2019. The great thing is that you can repurpose some of your content to each of these crowds.
Wrapping it up
Most of the time, moving forward or getting better isn’t very complicated. Likely, you already know the answer. At that point, it is just executing or implementing what you know.
I prefer frameworks to templates in most cases. The three-word framework is better than resolutions in my opinion.
How do you handle improvement in the new year? Drop your thoughts below. Do you use resolutions or something else?
