Three Considerations For Gift-Giving Season: Making It A Season Of Joy As A Solopreneur.
Let's talk about gift-giving:
We're entering the usual season of exchanging gifts, under unusual circumstances.
[This is where I'll spare you the recap of how we're still both in and recovering from the pandemic, how our frayed nervous systems may leave many folks feeling a bit… off (have you noticed how many reports of people having all-out tantrums are still happening?), and general economic trends].
Instead, I'm going to boil it down to three things I want you consider in this season's gifting:
1) Start now. With the combo of delayed supply chains, employee shortages, and a slower postal service, you do not want to find yourself scrambling at the last minute (see earlier mention of frayed nerves. I predict the Black Friday mobs and retail-tantrums are going to be nuclear-level this year).
2) Buy local, and buy experiences/services. I've enjoyed the meme going around pointing out “What's not on cargo ships? Personal trainers, massage therapists, local artists, local chefs and restaurants…”.
Research shows that people enjoy experiences more than “stuff” anyway, and local-purchases help the local economy exponentially more than giant online companies named after rainforests (ahem).
3) Have you thought about the gift or card you're going to send your clients, and/or the folks who've referred clients to you, and/or the folks who've been encouraging to you? Gratitude is powerful, and this is a great moment to express it (plus, follow up is powerful for your business). Take the next 5 minutes to decide what you'll do, and mark your calendar to get it done before the mad rush.
I've got a really fun plan for how I'm sending gifts and gratitude to my coaching clients and referrers… and to my newsletter list! (It's a surprise, and you’ll have to join the list soon to find out!).
Bonus tip: What's a little gift you can give someone today? Buy coffee for the person behind you in line. Put a nice anonymous note in your neighbor's mailbox. Give a 50% tip to the server/barista. It'll calm those frayed nerves and soothe your soul.
Let's make giving fun this season. I'd love to hear how you plan to do that (share in the comments, or email me directly).
-Jane