When you’re planning time away from your business – for the Holidays or a vacation – you might be asking, ‘How do I make sure everything keeps running smoothly without me?’
In this video, I’m sharing 3 simple-but-effective tips to prepare your business so it runs smoothly while you’re away – it’s all about clear communication. From client communication to simple automations, these will help you take a break without feeling the need to keep checking your emails!
1. Give Clients & Students a Heads-Up
One of the easiest ways to avoid last-minute questions, or disappoint people, is to give your clients and students a heads-up. Let them know when you’ll be away, when you’ll be back, and what they should do if they need support while you’re out.
Here’s how:
- Send an Email Update: Drop them a quick email that outlines your ‘out’ dates and ‘back’ dates. If it’s for a shared holiday period (like Christmas), this can be short & sweet since most people will be off around the same time.
- Set Expectations: If you’re taking a personal break (like a mid-year holiday), you’ll want to be a bit clearer about what’s happening while you’re gone. Let them know who to contact (e.g., your Virtual Assistant) or where to find support if they’re stuck.
This heads-up gives people a chance to ask questions before you’re out of office, so you’re not dealing with urgent emails while you’re supposed to be relaxing.
2. Set Up an Out-of-Office (With a little extra!)
You’ve probably already planned to set up an out-of-office message, but instead of just saying ‘I’m away, I’ll be back on X date’ – let’s make it more useful with a FAQ.
Here’s what to include:
- The Basics: Tell them when you’re away and when you’ll be back.
- The FAQ: Think about the top questions you’re often asked. Can you answer them right there in the email? Things like: ‘How do I reset my password?’ or ‘Where do I log in?’ If it’s a quick answer, pop it at the bottom of your out-of-office message. If it’s longer, link them to a simple FAQ page.
This little tweak can save you a heap of time on your return. It’s a win-win – your clients get what they need, and you’re not hit with a stack of ‘Can you tell me how to…’ emails.
3. Schedule Content Ahead of Time
If you’re still posting on social or sending out emails while you’re away, get them lined up and scheduled ahead of time. That way, your marketing keeps doing its thing without you needing to ‘pop back into the office’.
Here’s how to do it:
- Use a Calendar to Map it Out: Whether you’re a paper-and-pen person or a digital planner, look at the dates that make sense for you. If you’re taking a personal holiday, your normal cadence of emails and posts could be your aim. If it’s over a national holiday, like Christmas / New Year, you might want to consider when you’re sending things out around those key dates.
- Batch & Schedule it: Create and schedule your posts / emails before you head off.
This way, your business keeps showing up for your audience – even when you have your feet up with a hot chocolate & your favorite festive movie.
TO WRAP IT UP
If you want to step away from your business feeling calm that things will tick along without you, here’s those 3 key steps again:
1️⃣ Tell your clients and students when you’re away in advance – so they can ask any questions before you’re gone.
2️⃣ Set an out-of-office email with FAQs – so people can find answers themselves.
3️⃣ Schedule content ahead of time – so your marketing keeps working while you’re taking a break.
And… enjoy your Holidays!
All my best,
