Oh well. You know what they say, all good things must come to an end. However, all is not lost as I am still enjoying the holidays with family and friends this and next week. I am hanging out with my mom and children who are visiting from the Bahamas, to welcome the new year.

This weeks post, “Ready Or Not – Here Comes 2012″, is a checklist for your business, as we leap forward to 2012.

It’s December 29, 2011, do you know where your online business is???

A scary thought for many of us but unfortunately, there are far too many of us who can answer “I don’t have a clue” to that question. So, what’s a business owner to do?

One of the things I have learned in my now almost ten years of operating an online business and helping other solopreneurs, coaches and a variety of small business owners navigate the online world, is that until and unless you take the time to understand where your business is at the end of one year before jumping into a new year, it will be harder for you to maintain control and you will find yourself, very early into the next year, feeling overwhelmed. I am not sure what it is but, many of us ebb and flow with the annual calendar and the state in which we find our business at the end of a year usually carries over to the next and manifests itself either in satisfaction or sheer frustration! Unfortunately, I KNOW TOO WELL THE LATTER

Here are 10 things you could be doing before the end of the year to avoid the frustration of starting a new year because, whether you are ready or not, 2012 is on it’s way!

1. A review of your finances – Now is a great time to meet with your accountant or if you don’t use one, review your records. Are your records in order? Do you have receipts on hand? Do you have everything in order for tax filing?
2. An audit of your website – is there content that will need to be updated at the start of 2012? Are your hosting and domain names secure from expiration?
3. An audit of where your revenue came from – coaching, products, affiliate commissions, seminars etc. You would be surprised how many online business owners have no clue about where their revenue is coming from, who their customers or clients are etc. Correspondingly do you know where the potential for increased revenue lie? (More on this in a future article)
4. Review the goals you set for 2011 – acknowledge the ones you accomplished and make a decision NOW about the ones you did not – are they worth adding to your list of goals for 2012? Be realistic.
5. Begin creating your list of goals for 2012 – look back at the results for 2011 and be bold but be realistic.
6. An audit of your content – separate into three categories: recyclable as is, needs updating before reuse; no longer relevant to my business.
7. Begin creating your marketing plan – review what worked in 2011 and explore new marketing strategies.
8. Check subscriptions – a review and assessment of your print and online subscriptions – get rid of the ones that have proven useless and ensure those that you rely on are in good standing. Also, check to see if early renewal might get you a discount.
9. Check equipment – since many equipment vendors offer great prices nearer the end of the year, now might be a good time to see what needs replacing or what you might need to add, to help make your life as easy as possible. This is also a good time to check software etc. which we will cover in a future issue will
10. Review your business cards – is it time for an update? If so, before you do anything, check out your marketing plans and be sure your business card reflects your branding strategy for 2012.

I know this might seem like a daunting task but, I promise you, if you make time to do AT LEAST these 10 things, you will be have a huge jump on the new year and, will not feel as frustrated as you might, if you do nothing!

Until next time, remember to put your failures behind you and move forward with enthusiasm and a renewed expectation of great results for your business!

To your online success!

I am in full holiday mode but, as I told you in my last edition of Discovery, my business never goes on holiday and neither should yours. So, thanks to technology, I am still able to stay in touch and publish this edition, albeit a very short version

This weeks brief feature article, “Follow Your Holiday Inspirations”, is a reminder that there is inspiration all around us.

My team and I are slowing down for the next few days, as we get full swing into our various holiday traditions. I hope that you are doing the same and, that you will return to focusing on your business with renewed hope and expectations.

Although this is a time for family and celebration, never forget that it is also an opportunity for you to let your creative juices flow, while you observe what is going on around you. As they come, and they will, I promise, be sure to capture those moments in a notebook (yes I still use one) or on whatever gadget you might prefer. Anything that seems like an idea for your business should be included then when you get back to your usual working schedule, you can sift through and figure out which of the ideas you noted, could actually be turned into an opportunity in 2012.

You might also consider using this “off business” time to make a list of items you plan to tackle when you get back. Make your list, check it twice and make it happen!

Until next time, remember, whether you celebrate Christmas as I do, Hanukkah, Kwanza or any other holiday tradition, do it safely and make it memorable!

To your online success!

I understand those fears all too well and am so glad that you have decided to join me on this journey. You see, while I have been busy readying myself for the fun side of the holidays, I have also been thinking about what I want to accomplish in 2012 and have been making preparations right alongside the fun stuff.

One of the lessons I have learned over all these years is that while it is ok to have fun, it is more important to prepare yourself before the fun begins, so that the time you take for fun, is not idle time for your business!

This weeks feature article is inspired by the holidays and the ever present reminder to make sure I take care of business so it continues to take care of me while I overindulge myself!

The close of one year and the beginning of another, tends to take us out of character. As a result, we often neglect those things that ordinarily, we consider to be important. The mindset that has been imposed upon those of use who has ever worked in the “regular” work world (translation – any job at all!!!) is that when the holidays come around, we take time off and go have some fun. Then we return to where we left off, totally exhaused, behind in our work and more frustrated than we were before! Talk about a dose of reality to make you wonder why you did it yet again!

The good news is that when you create a successful online business, time away does not need to be time off! Instead, an online business, if done right, will allow you to not only take time during the holidays, but any other days you wish! This is possible because, unlike traditional business, your online business never has to go on holiday and, can contnue to make money while you are sipping egg nog somewhere!

If it sounds too easy, that is not my intent since, creating a successful online business takes work, and lots of it. However, there are many tools, resources and tips and tricks that help you get there without breaking the bank or driving you insane!

Here are three things you could do today, to help keep your business running while you enjoy the holidays:

Prepare three blog posts that include product or affiliate links, and schedule them to go out one per week for the next three weeks. (Of course you have a blog to support your online business, right?)

Using one of the automated social media tools, schedule tweets or Facebook posts to cover the entire holiday period. Remember to include product or affiliate links where practical. That way, if you are unalbe to personally tweet or post, your presence will not be missed! (I just know that you are already on Twitter and Facebook, at the very least ☺)

Create or refresh at least one landing page that promotes one of your products or affilate products, using smart SEO (search engine optimization). More people will be using search engines during their off time over the holidays so a well optimized page will generate more sales during this period.

If you have no idea how to go about implementing any of these great tips, perhaps you are ready to join one of my coaching programs or, purchase one of my step-by-step guides. Send me an email and let me know your needs. (I usually respond within 24 hours most weekdays, excluding federal holidays)

I hope that you will be inspired to leave any disappointments behind and burst into 2012 with a renewed spirt of success!

To your online success!