Let me make a bet. You’ve noticed that business has slowed down during this summer. Sure, going on vacation and playing at the beach sounds like great fun, but for us Creatives it can feel as if we are walking around with a dark cloud over our head that rains down thoughts like you’ll never work again. 

Fret not. Here are a few logical ideas that may help you with your mindset:

  • Businesses that rely on tourism see summer upticks.
  • Businesses that cater to job searching or career development get busier because college grads are looking for jobs.
  • Only businesses that are evergreen stay steady.
  • Most businesses, especially in the creative industry, see a slump during the summer.
  • People go on vacation. In Europe, many take a month off.
  • Summer may not be a good time to launch a product.
  • Summer is a GREAT time to gear up for the fourth quarter!

You’ve heard it before: there is a time to work IN the business and a time to work ON the business. For most of us, summer is the best time to work on the business or finish existing jobs.

Not sure which direction to go? It’s a no-brainer. Right now you should be getting your lead generation in order. As a refresher, please review an article I wrote a while ago about finding more clients the right way.

Then, here are 7 ideas that can help you get your lead generation going:

  1. Connect with existing clients, but refrain from horrific sales pitch calls that you hate to make. Rather, stay upbeat and simply say hello.
  2. Ask your existing clients if they would be willing to provide a testimonial that you can use in your advertising or on your website.
  3. Create a referral program. Reward your brand ambassadors with something special. Ask everyone you know for a referral.
  4. Consider running Facebook ads. I recommend hiring a subject matter specialist for everything Facebook. It can get quite expensive otherwise.
  5. Utilize your LinkedIn connections. Join groups where your desired clients hang out and connect with them. You can gain visibility and respect by adding helpful (not hostile) comments. If you’re unsure, here is a guide about LinkedIn etiquette.
  6. Create a direct mail campaign. Emails are on overload so you may want to consider sending a printed piece. It will stand out because very few businesses do that approach anymore.
  7. Network in person. When was the last time you actually spoke to someone who you don’t know? At just about every networking function I attend an opportunity presents itself.

I hope you find these tips helpful. Let’s get started! I am right there with you. Pick up the phone and make those calls.


At her lowest point, Beate Chelette was $135,000 in debt, a single mother, and forced to leave her home. Only 18 months later, she sold her image licensing business to Bill Gates in a multimillion dollar deal. Chelette is a nationally known ‘gender decoder’ who has appeared in over 60 radio shows, respected speaker, career coach, consummate creative entrepreneur, and author of Happy Woman Happy World. Beate is also the founder of The Women’s Code, a unique guide to women leadership and personal and career success that offers a new code of conduct for today’s business, private, and digital worlds. Determined to build a community of women supporting each other, she took her life-changing formula documented it all in a book Brian Tracy calls “an amazing handbook for every woman who wants health, happiness, love and success!”

Through her corporate initiative “Why Acting Like a Girl Is Good For Business” she helps companies with gender diversification training, and to develop and retain women.

If you’d like to book Beate as a speaker on New Leadership Balance or Creative Entrepreneurship for your next event please connect with me.

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