I’ve lost over a third of my monthly gross income in the past month.
Those are words I never thought in a million years I would ever type – or publicly acknowledge.
I get asked all the time how business is going and I always give the same chirpy reply, “Great! I’ve been so blessed.” Well, honestly right now it sucks.
Most social media pros would NEVER EVER EVER publicly admit they’ve lost a client or a portion of income. They feel it would reflect poorly on their brand or company. Newsflash – this happens to all of us at some point.
In the past month, here’s what has happened…
1. Client A is moving his marketing dollars around and has chosen to stop despite all the great feedback and activity he gets from his Facebook page.
2. Client B feels like they have learned enough from watching me do it that now they think they can do it on their own.
3. Client C loves the work I’ve done but has decided to abandon social media marketing right now.
4. Client D (a non-profit) has had to make drastic budget cuts due to lack of funding and has needed to cut social media marketing.
None of clients cited lack of return or not enough sales, leads, etc. Frustrating? You bet.
So, why? Why this downpour all of a sudden? In moments like this I turn to my faith. I rarely write about it because I want to keep my religion separate from business, but this time I can’t. I’m a Christian and have been since I was 10. I am very deeply involved in my faith. I cannot take credit for the success I have had in my business because I’ve been blessed with people coming to me for my services and not having to make sales calls.
Every time I have had a client come off contract, there’s been on there to replace it and then some. Someone is looking out for me and my business. I know I am doing what I’m suppose to be doing – this is what was intended for me.
However, times like this I start to question and worry and stress. The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I know there’s something bigger on the horizon and now comes my lesson in patience.
This also gives me time to reflect on what I could have done better.
Could I have spent a few more minutes engaging with fans?
Could I have put together a better strategy?
Could I have not taken on more clients in order to spend more time on who I currently work with?
The questions could go on.
I think every time we lose a client we need to take the time to reflect and really dig deep to figure out what we could have done better. Sometimes it’s not anything we did – it was out of our hands.
I’ll be honest – I was nervous to write and publish this. No one likes to publicly admit what I just did, even though it happens to us all. Does this make me a lesser social media professional? Does this mean I’m not good at what I do? I hope not (and I personally don’t think it does). I have a list of clients who would refute anything negative. For someone who is very private, opening up like this is very much outside my comfort zone, but I feel like it was something I needed to write. Kinda like Jerry Maguire writing his manifesto.
Right now is the time to focus on the positive – the clients I do have and how to service them even better. Clients come and go – it’s the roller coaster ride of this business.
One of my 5 year old’s favorite books is Pete the Cat & His 4 Groovy Buttons. Everytime Pete loses a button, he says “buttons come and buttons go, but do we cry? Goodness no!” I’m going to finish this post with the very last line of the book which 100% applies right now…
“Things will come and things will go. Do we cry? Goodness No!”
Mandy, this is a very brave share. I very much appreciate your honesty because these are not the type of articles we are ‘supposed’ to write. But it IS the reality of life.
I can relate because of the recession we’re living in Cyprus in the past 15 months. Business sucks here for Social Media managers for small businesses. Everyone is cutting down on their expenses as they see their income decrease every day.
But there’s always light at the end of the tunnel and this extra time you get when there’s less business allows you to tackle other areas that were neglected when you were so busy. I’m sure that you’ll come out of this one stronger and wealthier in all aspects of your live.
Thanks Veronica! I was VERY hesitant to share this post. It takes a topic no one is suppose to talk about. You are right – there is light at the end of tunnel and I can take advantage of the extra time to give my attention to things that need some more of it.
Thanks for sharing, Mandy. I can relate to the journey. I’ve owned my own consulting agency for the past 3 years and there have been plenty of times when I didn’t get the project and things fizzled out. But, like you, I’m a Christian as well and it was during those times that I found my walk intensified to a completely new level. As a Christian, when you run your own business, you quickly learn that you are merely the caretaker and God is the owner. I always clung to Colossians 3:23 to remind me that I am working as if working directly for the Lord. The days aren’t easy, but it certainly reminds you of where you need to keep your eyes focused. Thanks again for sharing and I wish you well!
Thanks Jon! You are SO right – I’m not the true owner of this business. I truly feel like this what I’m being led to do so I’ve always given Him the credit for the success. I know I just have to be patient – He’s always taken care of things and I know He will continue to do so 🙂
The Lord does work in mysterious ways. Sometimes his plan for us is even greater then we imagine. We must never lose faith, often times these rapid changes make us feel scared. Here is where we must find the courage to except things, but only the things we cannot change with the Lords help. A little faith can move mountains. I will leave you with the serenity prayer. Notice it speaks of courage!
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
Amen Mandy!
Thank you Tom! I am very involved in my faith (I’m a good ole Southern Baptist 🙂 Everytime I’ve had a client come off contract, there’s been a better one to replace it. I just can’t help but feel something bigger is on the horizon and the Lord is preparing me to have the time for it. I just have to have faith! This is a topic rarely discussed in public and I wish more people would stand up and say something – we can all learn from it. I truly appreciate your support!!!
I can relate, Mandy, my business shifted in the last 18 months and we’ve lost some clients (picked up other revenue opportunities because of why we shifted, but still, some were long-standing relationships). This is timely, too, in the past few weeks I’ve started to refocus on the things and clients that are truly important to my business and long-term goals, so while I don’t always enjoy losing monthly income, in the end everything happens for a reason and I’m happier with the clients I do have. Thanks for the post!
Thank you Stephen! I appreciate the share on Google Plus as well. It totally stinks to lose the income, but I know something better is on the horizon – I just have to be patient. I also see this as a opportunity to give attention to things in my business I haven’t been able to in the past. I wish more people would talk about this topic – we can learn something from everyone 🙂
True story…in the past week, and in part because of having conversations like we’re having about this topic, my business is going to undergo a complete transformation for the better. Adios to some clients that just “don’t belong” and hello to the ones that do. So thank you for being an indirect part of that 🙂
That’s exciting! I’ll have to stay tuned to see this transformation 🙂
Hi Mandy! I saw the share on Google+ from Stephan Hovnanian. I just wanted to say “thank you” for your bravery in publishing your fears in this post. You have voiced things that all of us who are entrepreneurs experience at one point or another. You’re right…it is hard to admit to others (much less have competitors see) our struggles in earning (and keeping) business.
It is very scary when you are going through something like this and you feel as though you are “alone.” You’re not. I’m not. Nobody is.
Thank you for helping me remember that despite my (our) best work and intentions, “stuff happens.” I also believe there is a higher reason and a greater plan in what is unfolding at this moment. 🙂
Thanks Wendy!! What I find frustrating is what you pointed out – we feel alone in this but it happens to everyone. People are just scared to talk about it. This is all a part of the ebb and flow of owning a business 🙂
In failure only we can find the success and nice information shared, thanks.