lifestyle and culture

That fresh New Year’s energy is right upon us. And it’s usually the time we start getting curious about our own next chapters or what we could be doing differently to be sure we’re living our best lives. Even a small change on the job front can have huge payoffs when you’re resetting and rebalancing your self-care, family, and career.
We’ve partnered with La Marca Prosecco to bring you a self-check on what change you might be ready to make to switch up your career trajectory so that you can step into the new year as your most empowered self. La Marca believes that we should celebrate those tiny, everyday moments—because they add up to elevating our whole life. Even if we’re not explicitly on the hunt for a new job opportunity, there are a number of ways we can level up our work experiences in 2022. So grab a coupe of bubbles and find out what action you should take at your job this year! 

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How long have you been in your current role?

A few years. I am a core part of the team!

I came in on the ground floor; some people call me a lifer.

New arrival! I’m just hitting my stride.

When was the last time you asked for a raise?

Never. I’ve always had someone look out for me.

It’s been a while, but now I’m at the top of the range for this role.

I negotiated like a boss just recently when I was hired.

How excited are you about your current day-to-day?

I really like my work. It’s meaningful, and I am moving the needle daily!

I’m more settled than excited. I know what’s expected and I can regularly deliver.

Butterflies on the reg. I’m tackling new challenges, and it’s really stimulating my creativity.

What is your relationship like with your leadership?

Solid. I’ve demonstrated my value over time, and they value me too.

Plateaued. I’m not as challenged as I once was, but we’ve built a good relationship.

Growing. I’m learning my boss’s unique habits and their goals for our business.

Do your team values align with your own?

Yes. It’s one of the characteristics of this job that has kept me here for so long!

They definitely used to, but we’ve had some management changes that have shifted the culture.

This team’s beliefs and way of business are known to attract top talent, and that brought me here.

When was the last time you felt challenged on the job?

I’m in the zone. Challenges are rewarding, but I also have routine work that is grounding and effortless.

Does finding a new lunch spot count? That’s challenging!

Daily! I’m building new relationships, learning new skills, and gaining exposure to great leadership styles.

How many of your coworkers would you consider to be friends?

We’re a tight-knit bunch! Nearly all of them.

I’ve made a few close connections, who I know will be long-term friends.

I hit it off with one woman right off the bat—we’re having regular coffee dates!

What would be the next step on your current career ladder?

I can see many rungs ahead—my boss’s boss has a very valued and cool role at the company.

I would need some new skills to think about taking the next step. It’s a bit of a leap!

I could see this role giving me a lot of different paths. It’s a pretty matrixed and varied opportunity set.

The #1 Change You Should Make At Your Job This Year

Time to ask for a raise or promotion.

You have built an incredible reputation, strong book of work, and are probably part of the glue that keeps your team running in top condition! You may have found yourself taking on extra work this year or supporting teammates through challenging life and professional transitions. Or you may have used some pandemic down time to skill up on a new area that supports your professional development, such as getting a certification or extending your education.
It sounds like you are ready to be better rewarded for your contributions through asking for that raise, additional benefits that are meaningful to you like a more flexible schedule, or family accommodations—or you can really spread your wings and ask for a more expanded set of responsibilities. Get that promotion! And after you do, toast to your business savviness with a glass of La Marca Prosecco!

Time for a new opportunity at your company.

We’ve all been there. You’re comfortable and you’re pretty well settled in your groove. That can be a great thing! But if you’re feeling a little too comfortable, not challenged, or like you’ve just hit autopilot, you deserve a new chapter. Looking for a new opportunity at your same company can be a great way to leverage all the great social capital you’ve built over the years and your awesome network of useful internal relationships. Challenge yourself to start the year with a meeting with your current manager to ask about what a new role could look like, either expanded from your current team or an entirely different area of the business! Pour yourself some La Marca Prosecco and start making a vision board of what your next dream job looks like.

You’re crushing it. Deepen your expertise!

You may have taken the past 18 months to really hit reset and either change your role or arrive at a new job and company entirely. Congratulations! Toast to this moment with some La Marca Prosecco. This is a really exciting part of your professional cycle, where things feel new, challenging, and you start to get those great routines and rituals that enhance belonging at a firm. Once you’ve made it past that first stretch of newness, it’s time to start deepening your expertise. Stretch yourself to meet people outside of your immediate work circle and start raising your hand more often for stretch projects that give you a chance to try out different parts of your business.

La Marca Prosecco is an elegant sparkling wine grown in the heart of Italy’s Prosecco region. La Marca Prosecco believes in celebrating the joy in everyday moments, including the tireless work that so many women go through to make their dreams come true. A focus on career empowerment has always been part of The Everygirl’s mission, and our partnership with La Marca Prosecco has helped us take that mission into the real world with live and virtual events, small business grants, and more. Let’s raise a glass to that!

This post was sponsored by La Marca Prosecco but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl Media Group editorial board. More

Whether we’re just starting out in our careers or self-checking mid-stream, finding that intersection of what we love and what we’re good at is an art and a science! Even when we have a variety of jobs, some themes in our passions and capabilities constantly repeat themselves. You could think of this as building your own personal “career archetype” over time based on the type of work you’re routinely drawn to. Going back to this “north star” of your true self can be an awesome way to shape your career even through a wide variety of jobs and hone in on your differentiated expertise!
We’ve partnered with La Marca Prosecco, our drink of choice and a brand that believes in making the everyday moments matter. We are excited to share a new way for you to think about how you might frame your talents, skills, and passions. Because when you know yourself and exactly how to deliver that to the world, our day-to-day lives have a little more sparkle and celebration. And couldn’t we all use more of that? Grab a La Marca mini and spend some time in self-discovery!
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In your dream job, how often would you meet new people?

Periodically. I like to connect with people who share my niche interests.

All day! The best part of my role is connecting with new people inside and outside my business.

Sometimes. I like developing new relationships, especially when I know I can be of help to someone.

Rarely. I love focusing on tasks and working independently on projects.

Your boss comes to you and tells you they have a new project for you, but it will require getting really in the numbers. You are:

Jazzed. Technical details are my sweet spot!

Not thrilled. I’d rather come up with how we tell the story about the numbers.

It depends. If it’s in service of a larger project or outcome, I’m game.

Excited. Diving into a detailed, complex problem with a cup of coffee is my dream day.

When a problem comes along on my team, I can be counted on to:

Really analyze it. I plot out all the root causes and can come up with a few solution paths.

Understand everyone’s perspective. I’m good at seeing all sides of an issue.

Create a safe space to hash it out. I want to be sure all people feel heard.

Sketch out the actions we need to take to solve it and identify who is the best person on the team to do each.

Most people would describe my communication style as:

Direct. I know what I mean and try to deliver it precisely.

Engaging. I think a lot of people say they’re good communicators, but I really connect with others.

Nurturing. I’m good at pulling out others’ own ideas or illustrating new concepts.

Structured. I am great at being able to lay out a sequence so people can really focus on what’s urgent.

If my company said I could never work from home again, I would:

Be ambivalent. Some parts of my job need collaboration with others, but some do require a lot of focus.

Be just fine! The vibe of the office and being with my colleagues for coffee breaks are really energizing.

Be relieved. Most of my best work happens when I’m partnering with people live and in person.

Start the job hunt! I have thrived being able to work at my own pace and in my own space.

People always come to me for advice on:

Thinking through complex issues. If it has a lot of moving pieces, I can draw you a map to solve it!

Fixing relationships. Work, personal—I’ve heard them all!

The best way to communicate something. I make hard concepts easier to understand.

Building new processes. I love designing sleek, efficient systems of work.

The best part of my job is:

Solving problems. I like to find the pieces of a process or product that are broken and improve it.

Working with people. I think I would faint if I sat in front of a spreadsheet all day.

Taking care of others. I appreciate when I can make an impact and see my work matter.

Seeing the finished product. I love knowing that I’ve checked off every box on my to-do list!

The most motivating compliment I could get from my boss would be:

“That’s an incredibly innovative idea. We’ve never thought that way before!”

“We would have never won that business without you. You are the key to this client relationship.”

“You made such a difference to that person. Their life will be different because of what you did.”

“You thought of every detail. We saved so much time on this and got to the right outcome with your plan.”

How would you describe the ideal pace of your day?

Measured. I like to have a plan and some structure to what needs to get done.

Hustling. Small, quick interactions coupled with longer, meaningful engagements is a good balance for me.

Structured. I need to be able to really give my attention to whatever work or person I’m with at the time.

Fast and slow. I like to power through morning meetings when I’m fresh and take the afternoon to plan.

Which Career Archetype Are You?

You’re an Innovator

You love a new idea. Anything that taps your creative juices or puts you on a path to discovery is right up your alley! The fun part about this career archetype is that there are so many different types of work that suit you. Maybe you’re incredibly design focused, and pulling together a client’s home or new logo is exactly how you express your innovative tendencies. Or you could be breaking glass ceilings and making our world a better place through your scientific discoveries or technological prowess. Innovators tend to find it most satisfying to work on projects that are brand new or allow them to explore a number of different outcomes that engage a lot of people or ideas in the process. Grab a pen and a glass of La Marca Prosecco and start to dream up your next greatest discovery!

You’re a Connector

Connectors are key to making our world go round. You love to engage new people, tell stories, and be on the front lines of any organizations you work in. You are probably most happy when you’re in conversation with someone, discovering their needs or interests, and sharing your own. Connectors have that awesome ability to find a tiny detail about someone—“My neighbor once had a cat named bubbles too!—and turn that person into a lifelong part of their network. Capitalize on this awesome ability by seeking out jobs that get you out from behind a screen and in front of the customers or decision makers of a business. Sharpen those powers of persuasion, sales skills, and willingness to stretch your boundaries to see success follow you in just about any field. Now, raise a glass of La Marca Prosecco and toast to your incredible people skills!

You’re a Caregiver

As a caregiver, you have a supernatural ability to hone in on the needs of other people. This incredible talent can manifest itself in so many different ways! You might be drawn to the medical field, where you’re delivering people a service that can change their lives, or education, where you are truly setting the foundation for someone to recognize and develop their own skills. Caregivers can also end up as consultants or advisers because there is nothing you love more than hearing someone’s problem and helping them find a great solution. Caregivers of all types are at high risk of burnout, so always be sure that you are putting yourself first as you navigate your career across these roles. In fact, start now by pouring some bubbles and taking a break to reflect on a recent win with a glass of La Marca Prosecco!

You’re a Doer

Doers keep the trains moving! You can be counted on in any situation to drill down to the urgent and important. What do people need to do right now to get the job done? Who is the best person to do it? You have a great capacity for ensuring all the little details are in order and managed in the context of the big picture. Nothing drives you crazier than a process with unnecessary steps—you immediately begin dissecting how to make everything, from the grocery line to your everyday job, as efficient as possible! Doers often go on to become incredible COOs or cherished project managers. You are able to understand both the processes and the people, which means you can deftly combine both your technical and relationship skills to deliver on an objective. Almost every industry in the world needs people with just your talents—the world is your oyster. And you know what goes wonderfully with oysters? Bubbles! Pour yourself a glass of La Marca Prosecco and toast to your amazing ability to check off that to-do list!

La Marca Prosecco is an elegant sparkling wine grown in the heart of Italy’s Prosecco region. La Marca Prosecco believes in celebrating the joy in everyday moments, including the tireless work that so many women go through to make their dreams come true. A focus on career empowerment has always been part of The Everygirl’s mission, and our partnership with La Marca Prosecco has helped us take that mission into the real world with live and virtual events, small business grants, and more. Let’s raise a glass to that!

This post was sponsored by La Marca Prosecco but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl Media Group editorial board. More

The holidays are right around the corner. I know, we’re excited too! You’re probably counting down the days until your holiday break and can’t wait to enjoy festivities with your friends, quality time with your loved ones, rejuvenation for the new year—or a combination of the three.
It might be tempting to leave your to-do list unfinished and get out of the office or off your laptop as soon as possible. But there are a few easy things you can and should do to wrap up at work before the holidays. Your future self will thank you, and you’ll be able to enjoy your time off without worrying about what’s waiting for you when you return. These work tips will help set you up for a successful new year.

1. List Your Accomplishments (and Celebrate Them)
Maybe you have to complete an end-of-year performance review, but even if you don’t, you should think back and list all of your accomplishments for the year. When we’re in the grind, we may not always pause and celebrate our achievements as they happen. But here’s the thing: You deserve to be proud of your hard work, and having a list of your accomplishments can come in handy down the road.
Maybe next year, you’ll ask for a raise, switch jobs, or be up for promotion. Having a concrete list of completed achievements as evidence can help strengthen your argument or help prove that you’re the strongest candidate. And even if you don’t find yourself in one of these situations, there is absolutely no harm in celebrating yourself and your efforts.

Source: Color Joy Stock

2. Update Your Resume Even If You Aren’t Job Hunting
Are you one of those people who dreads updating your resume when you’re ready to look for a new job? I don’t blame you—I know the feeling. Part of the reason this task becomes so daunting is that many of us wait until we’ve been in a role for a while and then have to spend time reflecting on years worth of work.
Instead, while your current role and responsibilities are fresh in your mind, set aside some time to update your resume. Even if you don’t end up looking for a new job in the immediate future, you’ll save time down the road and won’t have to dread this task later.

3. Clean Out Your Inbox
There is nothing worse than leaving emails in your inbox to come back to after an extended holiday break. If you’re anything like me, you don’t want to waste more energy than you have to perusing through emails and organizing them accordingly.
Treat yourself to an early present and clean out your inbox before you shut things down for some time off. File away the emails you will need to respond to upon your return (and make sure you add them to your to-do list), get rid of junk, and unsubscribe from emails you no longer find valuable. If you haven’t done so already, consider creating a filing system in your mail app to hit the ground running and keep your inbox organized at the start of the new year.

4. Grow Your Network By A Few New Connections
We’ve all heard of the importance of finding and making connections, especially in the professional world. As someone who has landed multiple jobs through mutual connections, I can’t emphasize how crucial it is to grow your network.
I also know that making new connections in your sphere can be tricky, especially throughout the year when you’re drowning in responsibilities. Use the end of the year to identify two or three new connections within your extended network. Browse LinkedIn, Twitter, industry role models—you name it. Do a light introduction and let your newfound connection know you’d love to chat more or meet up for dinner after the new year.
Your circle can never be big enough when it comes to your network. You never know who might be able to help you land the role of your dreams or have a position for you when you least expect it.

Source: Color Joy Stock

5. Organize Your Desktop
Is your desktop a mess of files and folders right now? I don’t know about you, but I’m guilty of saving documents and images all over the place. When we’re rushing and trying to get things done, it’s easy to download what you need and forget about it.
Believe me, you’ll be thankful for the old you when you open your laptop in the new year and return to a fully organized and detoxed digital setup. Ditch the documents and images you don’t need and organize the rest so that you can quickly access them going forward. And don’t forget to empty your trash when you’re finished. Think of this as a virtual cleaning of your laptop.

6. Deep Clean Your Workspace
When was the last time you cleaned your desk or workspace? I’m talking about a deep clean, not just taking all of your used coffee mugs to the sink. If you can’t remember the last time you grabbed a duster or a rag to clean the surfaces and your equipment, you’re overdue for a good cleaning.
On your last workday for the year, grab your favorite cleaning supplies and spend a few minutes decluttering and wiping down your work area. The new year is the perfect time for a fresh start, and what better way to jump back into work than with a clean space and positive energy for the upcoming year ahead?
The holidays are an exciting time of year for many, and to be present during this time, you need to be able to disconnect from your work life fully. Don’t simply disconnect and leave messes to come back to. Try these tips to wrap up your year and start the next one on a good note. Do one (or even a few) of these things, and you’ll hit the ground running in your career early next year.

How to Prep for That Performance Review (And Land a Raise) More

One of the perks of not being in school anymore is that your days of receiving grades are long gone. At least, that’s what it seems like at first.
Every day you’re in the working world, you’re being graded by your superiors and colleagues. Unless you’re receiving consistent feedback from your manager, which is no guarantee, you may have no way to gauge your progress at work—until it’s time for your annual review.
But that end-of-the-year evaluation doesn’t need to be scary; an annual performance review is a chance for you to have an open, honest conversation with your boss about how they perceive your work performance—as well as what your opportunities for growth are. Make sure you’re going into yours as prepared as possible with these easy steps (that will also help you land that raise).

Do the math

Source: ColorJoy Stock
In an ideal world, your review will be a series of glowing compliments with an offer of a big, fat raise at the end. You’ve worked crazy hard for the past 12 months—the least you can get is a little acknowledgement, right? Wrong. Your boss may have generally positive feelings about your work, but chances are, they weren’t keeping as good of track of your progress as they should have.
Even if your review is going well, you owe it to yourself to come armed with stats about your career successes from the past year. Before your review, prep a few notes about your work successes. You may have to do some calculations to impress your supervisor. Did you grow your company’s Twitter followers by 25%? Write it down. If you found a new tool that increased your team’s productivity, estimate how much time and money you’ve saved.
Illustrating how you increased revenue or helped save the company money can be instrumental in receiving a raise. However you measure success in your job, come up with some cold, hard facts about why you’re killing it.

Tell the truth
In theory, an annual review is an appropriate time to raise any concerns you’re having. Your boss has an opportunity to critique your performance, so it’s only fair you can share any struggles you’re experiencing. But before you raise any complaints, evaluate how honest you can truly be. Does your boss take critical feedback well? Do they look at employees who air complaints as “difficult?” Even if your boss is receptive to feedback, tread lightly. You don’t want your boss to think you’re unhappy at work and that you want to leave, or they may not fully invest in your future at the company.
If a raise is your top priority, you may want to hold off on voicing any complaints unless absolutely necessary or if they help support your justification for a raise. For example, if you took over a colleague’s responsibilities when they left and your workload increased, that is a complaint that can help make your case. Too many complaints may distract from your goal.
If you do have complaints to make, pepper the conversation with compliments about your manager or some insight on why you love your job. A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, after all.

Know what you want
Now is not the time to waffle. When you go into your review, you should know exactly what you want. A raise, a promotion, or an office are the biggies—but those milestones aren’t going to happen every year.
If your job description has evolved over the past year, consider asking for a title change. Want to learn more about your industry? See if your manager will expense education resources or a trip to a conference for you. If you want to move desks because you don’t get along with one of your coworkers, now is the time to ask. Your boss is less likely to be taken aback by requests during your annual review. Take advantage of the opportunity.

Have a plan

Source: ColorJoy Stock
You won’t be able to solve all your work-related issues on your own, but coming to your manager with a list of complaints and no potential solutions could frustrate them. Make an effort to present possible solutions for any struggles you’re having at work. If you’re happy at work but still want to make changes, like taking on bigger projects, you’ll need to offer solutions. Before your review, ask yourself: If your manager is open to what you want, do you have a way to make it happen? Your boss will be much more receptive to change if they see a way to help right off the bat.

Practice makes perfect
You’ve done a lot of work to prep for this review. You’ve kept track of all the compliments you’ve received from clients, thought hard about what you want, and have considered areas you can improve on. That effort will pay off, especially if you practice. Your level of nerves will depend on how comfortable you are with your manager and how confident you are in your performance. Practicing any requests or complaints you have—I’ll take a raise, please!—will make the conversation go so much smoother.
Ask your best friend or a family member to practice the conversation with you. You’ll work out any kinks in the conversation and will be less likely to trip over your words when you’re nervous. Be prepared to receive and respond to constructive criticism as well. You should be aware of any areas you need to improve on. Also, remember not to get defensive. It’s better to prepare confident responses for how you can overcome any struggles.
If you’re asking for a raise, this is an especially important step. Use this time to practice a convincing ask. Outline why you think you deserve a raise (now is the time to use the evidence you collected) and how much of a raise you’d like (start high so your company can offer lower).

Relax, you got this
You know you’ve been killing it at work. Unless they are bad at their job, any critiques your manager has shouldn’t come out of the blue. Going into your annual review calm and composed will impress your manager even more. When your review is glowing (of course it will be!), make sure you celebrate after. You’ve earned it.

10 Career Habits to Master in Your 20s More

So you got the job. You’re excited about the opportunity but nervous because you’ve never worked exclusively remote before. Besides onboarding, you may be worried about career growth opportunities in your new remote setting. I know my fellow Achievers are already a few days in and asking, “How will I stand out in this new remote job?”
Well, we’ve got good news. There are plenty of opportunities to excel and stand out as a high performer in a remote or hybrid work setting. We’ve connected with career experts Madeline Mann, founder of Self Made Millennial, and Lisa Kohn of Chatsworth Consulting Group to help us navigate just how to do this.

Meet the expert
Madeline Mann

Having years of experience as a Human Resources leader, Madeline Mann works with job seekers to land career-defining roles in various industries. Her clients have accepted jobs at Google, Deloitte, Hilton, Goldman Sachs, Amazon, NBC Universal, Netflix, EY, and more.

Meet the expert

Leadership Consultant, Executive Coach, Author, and Keynote Speaker
Lisa Kohn has over 20 years of experience partnering with Fortune 500 clients in areas of leadership, communication styles, strategy, and more.

Keep Introducing Yourself
It’s a simple concept, but many of us avoid introductions and miss out on opportunities simply in fear of rejection. Introductions, however, are especially important in a remote setting, where it’s common to not have face-to-face contact and communicate solely through chat.
You will be cued to introduce yourself the first week, so take initiative and continue to introduce yourself. Whenever you are in a meeting with people you don’t know, take the floor for a moment. “Every interaction is building deeper relationships that will support you later on,” Mann said. Preparation makes introductions easier and go more smoothly if you’ve practiced your opening lines. Something like, “Hi I’m [Maggie], I am a Marketing Specialist and will be working for [Manager name]. I started last month, and I look forward to working with all of you!”

Initiate 1:1 Post-Meeting Connections
Set up informal meetings with your new colleagues. Although it may feel manufactured, this is the best way to mimic in-person interactions that will leave you feeling more knowledgeable and connected to your job. Mann suggested doing a “listening tour,” meaning you set up a time with colleagues to ask them about their job and the company. “Make it a long one,” Mann added. This is your free ticket to get on as many people’s calendars as possible. Plus, Mann said, “In the process, you’re learning what they’re working on so you can add value to them in the future.” It helps to request to put time on their calendar before scheduling. Keep the meeting invitation short and sweet, like 1:1 Connection – Jane and Sam, and schedule it for 15-20 minutes.

Source: Ivan Samkov | Pexels

Keep Your Camera On
If you can’t be in the same room, being on camera in meetings makes up for the lack of nonverbal cues and emotion. You don’t have to keep your camera on for every meeting, but for meetings where you’re speaking or are new to the group, being on camera is crucial. “Familiarity breeds fondness,” Mann said. “Being seen will only help you be top of mind when you’re vying for a project opportunity or promotion.” Just as importantly, being on camera will support you in connecting with colleagues on a more personal level. “We crave community and connection. The more you build community remotely, the more successful you’ll be,” Kohn stated. We know meeting fatigue in a virtual environment is real, so pacing yourself helps. If possible, take breaks after a meeting to stretch or walk. And just as importantly, keep your routine fresh. 

Provide Brief Updates to Your Manager
You want to be an A+ employee, right? At the end of each week, whether through chat or email, keep your manager up-to-date on what you’ve accomplished as well as any outstanding questions you have. The most important piece here is to do it before they ask. “It also helps to figure out how they like to communicate; that way, you avoid miscommunications early on,” Kohn said. You’re helping your manager stay on track with your onboarding, consequently supporting both of you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions like, “Why is this done this way?” A good manager is open to feedback and change, but they may be too busy to do it themselves. This is where you come in with a fresh perspective and good idea, therefore adding value to the team.

Source: Colorjoy Stock

Use Organizational Charts as a Tool
Visuals, visuals, visuals. See if you can get your hands on an organizational chart of your department and the company’s executive leadership team. This will show you the position hierarchy and help you make important connections faster. “Once you can see who is in your department, it makes it easier to schedule time with the right people,” Kohn said. Unlike an office environment, remote work doesn’t allow you to physically see departments, walk around office floors, or pass colleagues on a day-to-day basis. “A remote environment is difficult to navigate, so the more you can see and be seen is crucial for success,” Kohn agreed. If your company doesn’t have an organizational chart as a part of their People Management software, ask HR if they have a chart of your department.

Don’t Just Connect, Be Active on LinkedIn
Besides connecting with your new colleagues, being active on LinkedIn helps. Join groups and follow others in your industry to keep a pulse on current trends and practices. “This is a great way to have your name recognized in and outside of your company,” Kohn said. By doing this, you can share your industry knowledge in team meetings or during conversations with your manager. You’re demonstrating your strategic thinking skills outside of your job description. “Like grocery shopping, many of us utilize LinkedIn only when we’re ‘hungry.’ But if we were to use a “farming” approach, meaning we nurture connections on a regular basis, the results are better,” Mann said. This is a great way to show your value while continuing to network. The best part: You get to do it all without having to leave your home.

40 Amazon Finds That Will Elevate Your Work-From-Home Setup More

The last year and a half has been difficult for all of us, but it’s been especially hard for female small-business owners. Some had to close their brick-and-mortar stores for good while others had to follow social media tips and ramp up their digital media strategies to compete with big-name retailers. No matter the circumstance, the changing economy required these hardworking women to think outside the box. 
But what sounds like a tale of woe doesn’t have to be. According to a survey conducted by Adobe and Wakefield Research, 61 percent of female small-business owners say their business’s online presence is more important than their physical location—56 percent of solopreneurs rate their business’s digital and social media marketing as either fair or poor. In addition, 83 percent of solopreneurs noted that creative design will stand out and drive their business to be more successful, but they just lack the time, tools, and training to get it done.
If you’re trying to improve your digital footprint to help your business thrive, we have a few simple-to-follow tips that will drive you to success. And thanks to Adobe Spark, one of our favorite social media and marketing tools, you can navigate today’s complicated market—whether you’re rebuilding your following, trying to get more creative, or fighting to stand out amid a sea of competition. 

1. Develop a Cohesive Brand Image
It doesn’t matter what type of company you run. The way your social media content looks can make or break your business. Even if your photos are top-of-the-line or you’re a connoisseur with copy, a brand without any continuity can leave consumers feeling lost and uninterested. That’s why it’s essential to create a streamlined look to help people identify (and get sucked into) your content from the moment they discover it on social media. 

Australian craft-based designer Kitiya Palaskas built her small business around helping clients develop a brand image. Thanks to a massive collection of graphics, logos, fonts, and colors available on Adobe Spark, Palaskas finds her day-to-day branding tasks easier. On the platform, she can create tailored social graphics, videos, presentations, and more based on her client’s needs.

2. Streamline Your Workflow
You know that cohesive look we were talking about? A lot of what goes into that sort of linearity is repetitiveness. I’m not talking about repeating the same post day after day. I’m referring to using the same colors, formatting, and text to showcase a smooth look throughout your feed, blog posts, and website. 
In terms of social media, one of the easiest ways to do this is by creating templates that you can use over and over again. It cuts down on the time you spend meticulously formatting your graphics and creates consistency from one post to the next. 

When creating templates, small-business owners can turn to Adobe Spark’s resource library that houses thousands of curated blueprints from designers and other content creators. The great thing about these templates is that you can customize them by swapping out the original colors with your brand colors, or you can change up the font to match your logo, the text on your website, and more. You can also shift and maneuver things around to make them look exactly how you want them.
After you create a template, you can save it for future posts and edit it when needed. Just make sure you have your go-to brand colors, graphics, and fonts on hand to make changing your template quick and easy. 

3. Create Eye-Catching Graphics
A few years back, posting photos of your products was enough to grab some attention on social media. Today, it’s the vibrant graphics and compelling videos that stop people from scrolling past your post. 

Before you start messing around with shapes and images, remember that social media is an extension of your business, so you want your graphics to reflect your brand. Trying to evoke a lighthearted feel? Opt for pastels or bright colors. Catering to a professional audience? Neutrals might be better. Whatever you choose, come up with five or fewer colors to use from one graphic to the next. 
If you’re using imagery in your posts, only use high-quality photos (because even the most creative design will be overshadowed by a blurry image). You also want to make sure that your graphics aren’t too busy or distracting. Contrast is key if you’re adding text, and it’s OK to have some white space on your designs. 

4. Improve Clarity and Collaboration
Nothing is worse than nearing the end of a big campaign only to realize everyone is on a different page. It’s frustrating, time-consuming, and it can completely derail your brand goals. So if you’re adding a few helping hands to your small business, it’s imperative to prioritize effective collaboration and communication. 
Start by getting everyone on the same page with a clear goal. You can follow the SMART format—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This will allow you to clearly track your progress from start to finish. Communicate the goal to your team and ensure everyone understands it clearly. This is also a good time to address anyone’s questions or concerns. 

When you’re ready to dive into the busy work, make sure everything you need for your project is in one location. With Adobe Spark’s collaboration feature, you can create a project on the platform and easily invite people to join. When the invitation is accepted via email, everyone will be able to edit the project in the same place (and see the changes made when the project is updated).
This tool is a major time-saver and key to efficiency. One person may be incredible at writing copy while another is more design-savvy. Project sharing allows you to pass the same graphic, presentation, or document back and forth while utilizing everyone’s strengths and keeping everyone on the same page. 

5. Find a Supportive Community
It’s normal to run into roadblocks when running a small business, but when obstacles keep getting in the way of your goals, it’s easy to get down on yourself. The good news is that you’re not alone—even if it feels that way. 
As soon as you conjure up the idea for your small business, find a group of individuals in the same boat. If you browse social media, you’ll discover dozens of support groups dedicated to improving social media efforts, running an online business, or even coming up with creative brand marketing ideas. You can also create your own community via social outreach. 

CEO of Girl Gang Craft Phoebe Sherman consistently creates templates and graphics for other content creators and small-business owners to use for free. This strategy not only helps her build her own following but also helps her build a group of women who can rely on one another for their creative needs. 
According to the study conducted by Adobe Spark and Wakefield Research, over 53 percent of female small-business owners use social media as a way to find creative inspiration. So if you’re needing a little more support from your community, you can turn to your favorite apps and lean on other hardworking women to keep your small business thriving for years to come.

This post is sponsored by Adobe Spark, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board. More