7 Time-Saving Apps That Can Make You More Productive

In this segment, Paige Wiese, founder & CEO of Tree Ring Digital in Denver, CO, walks us through some of the ways she encourages clients to double down on marketing when business is slow. Paige built her business as a solopreneur graphic designer to a team of 15, helping clients with SEO, online ads, and social media management. Here’s her Take 5, plus more tips for surviving the business lulls below!

What's a recent small win for you and your business?

Paige: A recent small win has been just seeing business pick up again. I am seeing businesses start to engage with their marketing efforts and really trying to get to the root of why their website might be underperforming. We look at what they can be doing to see their money actually go to a place that it should be going.

What's a big piece of advice that you give to your clients?

Paige: A lot of them want to back off anytime there's a little bit of scarcity. I really think that's the time to double down, whether it be your digital presence, your website, or just adjusting how you're spending your money. But instead of just saying, ‘Hey, we're going to stop [investing in marketing],’ ask ‘How do we double down in the correct way and make sure we're seeing measurable results out of it?’ I do it myself anytime business is a little slow. I think we have to either change or we need to be doubling down. A lot of clients come to us when the pipeline is already dry and money is tight and they’re hoping for a quick fix. Marketing, unfortunately, isn't a quick fix.

See more tips for surviving business lulls below!

What's an unexpected business challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?

Paige: I think one of the bigger challenges that we've run into has been more on the employee side, some of the retention or the hiccups that come along the way and then just learning from them. So how can we be a better, stronger company coming out of this and how do we use it as a growing opportunity?

How has the Verizon Small Business program helped propel your business forward?

Paige: I learned about the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program through the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). It's a free resource that’s self-paced and very digestible. The variety of topics it covers is a large gamut for any size business. The Selling with Storytelling course, especially, was really valuable to me, just really getting your messaging out there. I laugh that I sometimes enjoy the marketing ones a little bit more just because it is a refresher or another take on how we do this.

Thanks Paige!

Here Are More B+C Tips For Surviving The Small Business Lulls

1. Refine Your Strategy
   • Review your business plan and goals. Are you on track? What can be improved?
   • Analyze customer feedback and sales data to spot trends and areas where you can grow.
2. Boost Your Marketing Efforts
   • Refresh your website or social media profiles. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready’s free Put Your Website to Work course will help you get started with best practices for building your business website.
   • Create engaging content through blogs, videos, and newsletters. Verizon’s free Creating Compelling Content course can help you create consistent, quality content for your target customers.
   • Offer promotions or limited-time discounts to attract new customers.
3. Invest in Learning
   • Take an online course related to your industry, like Verizon’s free Planning for the Unexpected course for building resiliency in your business.
   • Stay updated on industry trends and innovations.
   • Engage with customers too. Send personalized emails to loyal customers or clients. Ask for reviews!
4. Improve Your Processes
   • Streamline operations or explore new tools to increase your efficiency.
   • Organize your workspace and declutter your digital files.
5. Self-Care and Rest
   • Take advantage of the slower pace to recharge. A refreshed mindset is exactly what you need to bring forth fresh ideas!

1. Create new revenue streams

As a small business owner, you want to look for additional ways to boost your income or diversify your revenue streams. With Whatnot, you can tap into the rapidly growing livestream shopping market and boost your bottom line. In fact, according to Whatnot’s State of Livestream Selling Report, 66 percent of Whatnot sellers earn more than $10,000 per month through livestream selling, and one in four sellers report making over $300,000 each year! That’s a pretty sweet side hustle, andyou may even find it’s your favorite way to sell.

2. Build your community

Whatnot isn’t just a sales platform; it’s a space where you can build a strong community. Through livestream selling, you can connect with customers in real-time, build meaningful relationships, and host dynamic auctions or flash sales – turning sales into engaging experiences that drive loyalty and repeat business.

3. Reach a wider audience

Finding the right customers is critical, and your odds are better when you can reach a broader audience instantly. Whatnot’s interactive format lets you share your product or service with millions of users. Livestreaming offers a way to reach potential customers who may not have discovered your business through traditional channels.

4. Make selling and buying more fun!

Whatnot takes e-commerce to the next level by making sales more interactive and fun. Livestream selling turns ordinary sales into exciting events, with real-time auctions, flash sales, and engaging chats. This approach not only boosts sales but also creates memorable experiences that keep customers coming back for more.

5. Stay competitive

By offering a platform that blends community and commerce, Whatnot empowers small business owners to scale faster, adapt to market changes, and stay competitive. The sense of community is an element that makes the sale less transactional and more relational. And that’s good for business!

1. Soap Carving

Soap carving was once an accessible hobby that allowed people of all ages and skill levels to create intricate designs from simple bars of soap. Armed with basic carving tools like knives, you were able to transform an everyday object into a work of art, like a delicate flower or animal.

This pastime not only offered a creative outlet but also culminated in a functional home decor item. Yet, as new crafting materials like plastics became more widely available, soap carving faded from popularity.

2. Quilting Bees

These social gatherings brought women together and provided a chance for friends and neighbors to collaborate on large quilting projects. They turned an often solitary task into a communal experience filled with laughter and conversation.

So, the resulting quilts were viewed as deeply sentimental, not just due to the joint effort but also because they often incorporated fabrics from old clothing or keepsakes.

Then, the rise of industrialization and the availability of cheap, mass-produced bedding caused quilting bees to become much more rare.

3. Macrame

Another popular craft was macrame, which involved knotting ropes or cords into intricate, decorative patterns. You could use various knotting techniques to create unique pieces, from plant hangers to wall hangings.

This hobby helped add bohemian flair to homes and allowed for endless creative possibilities. It also became a symbol of the 1960s and 1970s counterculture.

4. Drive-In Movies

Long before the rise of streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, going to the drive-in movie theater was a favorite weekend tradition for many. It was a unique (and social) way to enjoy films under the stars.

People would pack into their cars, bring along snacks and drinks, and settle in to watch the latest movies on a big outdoor screen. Not only did this pastime force you to actually go somewhere to see a new film, as opposed to laying in your bed at home, but it also provided a lively and nostalgic atmosphere.

5. Rock Tumbling

This hands-on activity allowed people to turn their rough stones into shiny and smooth gems. Hobbyists would get outside, gather cool-looking rocks in nature, place them in a tumbler filled with abrasive grit, and allow the machine to rotate for a couple of weeks.

Over time, the friction and grinding would smooth the surfaces, revealing the natural beauty hidden beneath each stone's rough exterior. It was relaxing and rewarding and encouraged Boomers to have patience and appreciate the world around them.

6. Going Dancing

Walk into any major club today, and you probably won't see a lot of dancing (at least in the traditional sense). Modern venues feature mostly EDM shows now, with attendees bouncing or fist-bumping away. But back in the day, local ballrooms, sock hops, and even discos were really "happening."

Dance floors were filled with singles and couples swinging and jiving away to everything from jazz and rock 'n' roll to even pop hits. Going dancing got people out, moving, and enjoying each other's company. It's time to bring real dancing back to today's nightlife scene.

7. Model Rockets

During the 1960s, building and launching model rockets was a thrilling hobby that captured the attention of people, both young and old. Enthusiasts would carefully assemble small rockets using materials like molded plastic, cardboard, paper, and tubing, then laugh them into the sky.

Aside from being exciting, this activity was also educational, sparking interest in science and engineering.

8. Sand Art

Sand art was another go-to hobby in the '60s, with people layering or arranging colorful sand into intricate patterns inside glass containers.

You could really get creative with colors, textures, and shapes. Not to mention, sand art was pretty accessible and became a fun way to make decorative pieces for the home.

9. Plant Pressing

This timeless hobby involved collecting plants, flowers, and leaves before carefully pressing them between sheets of paper to preserve their form and color. It allowed people to explore nature and learn about the diverse plant life in their local area.

The best part? The pressed plants could be used for a range of creative purposes, from making beautiful flower arrangements to decorating cards.

10. Pinball Arcades

If you want to play a game with your friends today, you might turn on your PlayStation or Xbox, plop in front of your TV, and throw on a headset. However, boomers got to experience the excitement of playing in real life at pinball arcades.

By actually going to the arcade, they enjoyed face-to-face socialization in an interactive and immersive environment. There were bright lights, cool sounds, and competition to beat high scores that actually got adrenaline pumping.