You’re only two weeks and five questions away from your best year ever!
I don’t know about you, but December is always a bit of a blur for me — especially in years when Thanksgiving falls later. My birthday and anniversary are in December, and when you throw in all the holiday parties, end-of-year events, and life commitments (anyone else’s kids have to dress up in a different theme EVERY DAY this month for school?), it’s no wonder this month flies by. It’s also no wonder that I dressed my kids’ Elf on the Shelf up like Deadpool last week, but that is a topic for another newsletter.
This is one of the last blog posts from me this year, and if you answer the five questions below, it will likely be the most valuable. I mean, I like to think they’re all valuable (especially at the price of free), but this one can help you make a lot of money next year.
I get it — the 13 days between now and New Year’s Day are going to be crazy. You’re already over-committed with too many things on the to-do list to think about, and here I am, adding another list in your inbox.
Trust me. Carve out an hour between now and January to answer the five questions below. I promise they will set you up for wild success in 2025 and beyond, even if traditional business planning isn’t your jam.
1. What “buckets” did your business come from in 2024, and where do you want it to come from in 2025?
Yes, I realize that this is technically two questions, but, they’re two of the most important questions anyone can ask, so I’m counting them as one. My list, my rules, right? 🙂
If you aren’t formally tracking your customer acquisition sources, January 1 is a GREAT time to start! Between now and then, look back at 2024. You can think of customers as coming to you across four broad buckets:
- Paid: These customers come from marketing campaigns, ads, or promotions. You spent money to acquire them.
- Reputation: Those who find you based on your reputation (Google, social media, earned media like PR, seeing your booth at a community event, etc.)
- Repeat: Customers who come back after a great experience with you
- Referrals: Customers who are sent to you by other happy customers
What did your customer mix look like this year? If you aren’t seeing as many customers in the third and fourth categories as you’d like, what can you change? Customers who come to you via referral are up to five times more likely to refer other customers to you. If you take ONE thing from this article, set up a system that’s ready to go in 2025 so you can effectively track where your business is coming from and earn more referrals.
2. What do you want your customers to say to their friends about you?
The “bucket” concept leads right into question number two: What do you want your customers to say about you, and how are you optimizing for that outcome? The power of word-of-mouth cannot be overstated. Customers trust recommendations from friends and family far more than advertisements or marketing materials.
Take a moment to define the ideal story you want customers to share about your business. Is it about your exceptional service? Your innovative products? Your commitment to the community? Once you’ve nailed down that narrative, evaluate your current customer experience and identify gaps. Are you giving customers the tools and reasons they need to tell that story?
3. How are you using AI to work smarter and not harder?
I use ChatGPT dozens of times per day. I even used it to help me finalize this list! If you aren’t using generative AI right now, you are working harder than you need to be — I would even argue that you’re misallocating your time.
Time is our most valuable resource, and leveraging AI to help with tasks is no longer a novelty; it’s a necessity. In my SUPER Model framework, the “R” stands for Repeat, which is all about systematizing processes so you can focus on what matters most.
What new AI tools will you deploy in 2025? If you aren’t yet using Fathom.video, check it out — it’s one of my favorites, and its AI-powered meeting notes have been a total game-changer for me and my team. ChatGPT helps with everything from research and content creation to writing code for my website! There are endless ways to use AI to boost productivity, allowing you to focus on what you do best—building relationships and creating superfans.
4. Who are five people or prospective customers who DON’T know that you exist right now but should?
I start every year with something I call my High Five List. It’s a list of the five people I want to get to know that year. It usually consists of a couple of two-or three-degree connections, at least one celebrity, and someone who I know can help me move my life or my business forward.
Make a list of the five people you need to get to know next year, and put together an intentional plan to provide extreme value to them so that they’ll want to get to know you, too. Think about what you can give before you worry about what you ultimately want to get. If you need help building your list, ask your favorite AI sidekick for help.
5. What’s the biggest pain point your potential customers currently face, and how are you solving it?
How do you get to know the five people on your High Five List faster? By focusing on the questions that keep them up at night. How can YOU make their lives easier or better?
Businesses that thrive don’t just sell products—they solve problems. Ask yourself: What’s keeping your customers up at night? What frustrations are unique to their lives, especially in the current economic and cultural climate? Conduct surveys, analyze customer feedback, or even take time to speak with a few customers directly. The better you understand their challenges, the more targeted and impactful your solutions can be in 2025.
BONUS:
What’s the company you loved doing business with this year the most?
This one is fun because it gives you a great opportunity to reflect on WHAT you loved, and WHY. Ask yourself what best practices you can incorporate into your own business. Remember, you aren’t just being compared to your direct competitors — borrowing ideas from other industries is one of the best ways to level up your game.
The New Year is always the best time to work on your business, instead of in your business. Set yourself up for a successful 2025 by answering these questions. Cheers to an incredible year ahead!
