Making the Most of Your Off-Season
By Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting
Many event pros look forward to the off-season like kids look forward to summer vacation. It’s a time to wind down and take a deep breath from what’s been a very hectic year. While there is nothing wrong with using part of that time to relax and maybe even take a vacation, it’s also important to use the down time to your advantage. From organization to marketing and beyond, you want to step into the new year prepared and ready to go.
With that being said, here are some of the best ways to make the most of your off-season:
Take a Look at Your Online Presence
In the thick of wedding season, it can be difficult to keep a robust online platform up-to-date, unless you have a staff member or intern that does it for you. Have you posted on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter recently? Is your website still reflective of your brand and showcasing your current portfolio? If the answer is no, it may be time to think about a change. Audrey Isaac of 100 Candles explains, “Every company will at some point need to refresh their website, and using the off-season to do it is the perfect opportunity. Whether it’s a big overhaul or just a few tweaks to improve user experience, being able to put your full attention on it while business is a little slower will help ensure you get the best product.”
Connect with Your Team
Your team, whether it’s employees or interns are your best source of information when it comes to the internal workings of the business. “It’s a good idea to sit down and talk to them at least a few times a year for an old fashioned state of the union, says Heather Jones of Wente Vineyards. “Get their feedback on how the year is going, what changes could be made- good or bad, ideas for the next year, etc.” You should also make sure you keep them informed about how you’re feeling and thank them for all the hard work they’ve done. This will help keep everyone on the same page and keep morale high in the office.
Look Ahead
The past year has come and gone, so it’s time to look forward at upcoming weddings and events you have on the books. Kim Sayatovic from Belladeux Event Design shares her advice, “Take a look at where you are in everyone’s plan and see if it’s a good time to reach out and touch base. Can you go ahead and take care a few things ahead of time? Clients will appreciate that you’re ahead of the game.“
Get Organized
This can be a big undertaking for some of us, and is often so overwhelming that it’s put off and never get done. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are tools out there that can help, or at least get you started. “Mobile apps are a great place to start when it comes to organization, with programs that can help your calendar, your inbox, your files, and your social media presence,” shares Kevin Dennis of Fantasy Sound Event Services. “From Calendly for your calendar to Dropbox for your file storage, there is something out there that can help everyone, you just have to look.”
So, now that you have a place to start, it’s time to put it in action. Enjoy your off season, but don’t let it all go to waste.
Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker, adjunct professor in the field of public relations, and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.
