Can you ever take a vacation when you’re a business owner? Absolutely! In fact, you should.
You can’t pour from an empty cup, and going on vacation is a great way to refill.
Here’s a fun fact: The day I publish this marketing strategy, I will be on vacation. And I know that I can “safely” leave my business alone for five days because I have prepared my business accordingly.
Admittedly, it’s scary to unplug from your business, especially when you’re a solopreneur. However, with the right systems in place, you can do it (I am living proof!).
In this week’s marketing strategy, I will share with you exactly how I prepare my business for vacation.
My intention is to inspire you – and share with you best practices that you can replicate in your business.
Ready, set, let’s go on vacation!
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Some might say that entrepreneurship and vacations don’t go together, but I say “hogwash.”
As hard as we work on our businesses, we deserve a vacation! And, I mean, a real vacation where you’re not constantly checking your email, posting to social media, helping clients, and putting out “fires.”
I take two to three vacations a year. Some are “staycations” but the rule is the same: I must unplug from my business and replenish.
It was hard at first, but I have a process that allows me to prepare my business in advance so I can enjoy my vacation (without worry).
Want to learn how I get my business ready for vacation? Keep reading because I will share this process with you.
#1: Prepare my content and social media in advance
I publish a marketing strategy every week and send it in an email. I also post to Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter every day during the workweek.
I don’t want to be doing this during vacation, which is why I prepare and schedule my content in advance.
In fact, this blog post is being written three weeks before my vacation, and thanks to my planning and my virtual assistant, it will be publicized while I am away.
This is all about time management. I have my vacation days planned out on my calendar, and for that month, my primary focus is to get my blogs, videos, and social media posts ready. To be clear: It’s my singular focus.
I block the time on my calendar and get it done. No excuses.
#2: Commit to “no new promotions” during my vacation time
Because I have my vacation blocked on my calendar, I know that the month of my vacation is not a good time to promote something, such as a new course.
For example, if I am taking a vacation in April, even if it’s for a week, I say “no promo” for the entire month.
This clears the calendar for me to focus on getting my other pre-vacation tasks done.
Plan a big splash the month before or after your vacation if you’re concerned about revenue. But allow the month of your vacation to be promo free.
#3: Tell my community that I am unplugging
I am so blessed to have a loyal community of Celestial Circle members and students. I run active Facebook groups for The Celestial Circle, as well as my courses, which allows me to communicate directly with each group.
I don’t hide the fact that I am going on vacation with my clients. And I don’t have a problem telling them that I will get back to them when I return. I also share my virtual assistant’s info for billing and technical questions. Everything else can be taken care after I get back.
My community never has had a problem with this, and I like to think I inspire them to run their businesses the same way. Here’s another thing: If someone does have a problem with me going on vacation, I don’t consider her an ideal client. Bless and release.
One more thing: If you want to not post on social media at all (scheduled or spontaneously) when you’re on vacation, just post a notice on your social media channels that you’re away and post when you’re home again. You have permission!
#4: Line up help
A reliable virtual assistant is super essential for an unplugged vacation. My super VA helps me so much, and she interfaces with my community through a special email address.
I also give her a heads up when I am planning a vacation. She helps by making sure my blog posts are posted and my e-newsletter goes out. She also helps my Celestial Circle members and students with their billing and technical questions.
In addition to a wonderful VA, I lean on my community of Faith Keepers to help out. For example, I asked one of my Faith Keeper friends to run my networking meeting in my absence. We support each other during our vacations, which makes it so much easier to unplug.
My process isn’t complex – just planning and support. Truthfully, those are the easy parts.
Your biggest hurdle will be your mindset, specifically feeling worthy of taking an unplugged vacation. Once you give yourself permission to take a vacation (and a break from your business), you are well on your way. The rest is just logistics.
I hope this blog post inspires you to schedule your next vacation with confidence. I am a control enthusiast, too, so when I say “If I can do this, so can you,” I mean it. You deserve this time. And you’ll feel so energized when you get back.
Need more marketing inspiration?
If you need more ideas on how to get clients, check out my Magnetic Marketing Checklist (it’s a free download!). It’s packed with ideas on how to authentically attract more customers to your business.
ABOUT JILL
Hi, I’m Jill Celeste. I teach purpose-driven entrepreneurs (just like you) everything you need to know about marketing so you can become the Director of Marketing for your business.
Because when you put your Director of Marketing hat squarely on your head, marketing is your number one priority (which will result in more clients!).
When I am not teaching about marketing, you’ll find me hanging out with my husband or my teenage boys, or taking a nap with my basset hound, Emma. I also like to play with my two kittens and feed the backyard ducks (much to my neighbor’s chagrin).
If you’re feeling alone in your entrepreneurial journey, I invite you to check out my monthly membership group, The Celestial Circle. Affordable, loving, supportive, informative, and fun – that’s how we roll in The Celestial Circle. We would love to welcome you!
