The countdown to Christmas is officially on!
But before you get lost in mince pies, wrapping paper, and fairy lights, it’s time to make sure your business is all set for a smooth holiday season. We all know running a business is no small feat, and if you’re like me, the idea of actually switching off for a few days sounds like a Christmas miracle!
So, how can you make sure your business stays organised (and stress-free) while you enjoy some well-earned festive time off? Here are five things you can do in the run-up to Christmas to help you relax:
1. Plan and Schedule Content in Advance 🎁
Let’s be real, who wants to be writing Instagram captions on Christmas morning? Not me! Scheduling tools like Later or Planoly are your best friends right now. Get ahead by planning out your social media posts, blog content, and even email marketing. You can schedule everything to go live when you’re tucked up with a hot chocolate, binge-watching Christmas films. It’s a fab way to keep your online presence alive without lifting a finger during the holidays.
2. Automate Key Processes ⏳
Automation is like having your own little Christmas elf! Set up automatic processes for things like invoicing, customer service responses, and sales notifications. That way, you can focus on enjoying the festive season without worrying about replying to every single email. Your business will keep ticking over smoothly, and you can get on with the important stuff – like finding the last mince pie at the Christmas buffet!
3. Delegate, Delegate, Delegate! 🎄
If you’ve got a team (or a fabulous virtual assistant like me – hello!), now’s the time to delegate those key tasks. Make sure everyone knows what they’re responsible for and set clear deadlines so that you’re not pulled into last-minute emergencies. Trust your team to handle the day-to-day stuff while you enjoy a mulled wine or two. And if you don’t have a team? Hiring a virtual assistant to take care of things could be the perfect solution for a stress-free break.
4. Communicate with Clients and Customers 📢
Nobody likes being ghosted, especially during the holidays! Make sure you let your clients and customers know your Christmas hours and when you’ll be back in action. Set up an out-of-office email reply with a polite note, so they know when to expect a response. And for those urgent inquiries? Leave a contact for emergencies, so you can enjoy your Christmas without constant pings from your inbox.
5. Get Those Financials Sorted Early 💷
Nobody wants to be chasing invoices or doing bookkeeping when they’re supposed to be relaxing. Get your financial admin done and dusted before the holiday rush hits. Send out those invoices, file your paperwork, and organise any upcoming tax tasks. Once everything is in order, you can enjoy your time off knowing you won’t be greeted with financial chaos in the new year.
And that’s it!
With a little preparation, you can have your business running like clockwork while you switch off and enjoy the magic of Christmas.
Whether it's stuffing your face with Christmas dinner or spending quality time with your loved ones, you deserve to relax and recharge. How do you wind down with work for the holidays? Let me know! Hope you have a great day and keep safe :)
Pryer Assistants | Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Pinterest | Facebook
