Proactive financial management means being adaptable and smart with your money. It means tracking cash flow and understanding your income and expenses, which helps you anticipate financial needs and avoid cash shortages. Startups focusing on strategic financial planning, such as setting clear goals and regularly reviewing financial reports, are more likely to achieve sustainable growth and long-term success. Small businesses with strong financial management practices are more likely to survive beyond five years.

1. Use automation to save time

Automation tools can simplify routine tasks like accounting, invoicing and payroll, giving you more time to focus on the key aspects of running your business. For example, using accounting software can cut down the time spent on financial management by up to half. Automated invoicing and payments can speed up cash flow and help customers pay on time. Businesses that use financial automation can lower overall operating costs by 15-20%. Automation also makes keeping good records and complying with regulations easier, helping you avoid costly errors and fines.

Around 80% of businesses are fast-tracking process automation, and half plan to automate all repetitive tasks. It’s even estimated that 69% of all managerial work will be fully automated by 2024. By incorporating automation, you can be part of this revolution and streamline your financial processes.

Related: Busywork Sucks — How Automation Can Eliminate Boring Tasks for Entrepreneurs

2. Find the right pricing strategy

Finding the right pricing strategy for your products or services is key to boosting profits and staying competitive. There are different ways to set prices, so you must find the one that best fits your business goals. To start, conduct market research to understand your industry, target audience, and what people are willing to pay. Check out your competition to see how they price similar products or services, but remember, you don’t have to match their prices.

Cost-plus pricing involves adding a markup to your production cost, while value-based pricing focuses on what customers are willing to pay for the value they perceive. Dynamic pricing changes prices based on demand, as seen in industries like airlines and ride-sharing. For example, Amazon uses dynamic pricing during high-demand periods like holidays or special events. Data-driven pricing can also be very effective.

Understanding your unique selling proposition (USP)—what makes your offering stand out—can justify higher prices if your product offers unique benefits. Position your pricing as an investment rather than a cost. Trying out different pricing models and asking for customer feedback can help you find the best strategy. Regularly reviewing and adjusting your pricing based on market trends and customer preferences will keep you competitive and profitable.

Related: 4 Crucial Signs That Your Small Business Needs Funding

3. Build a strong content marketing and SEO plan

Creating a strong content marketing and SEO plan can help you attract and engage customers while growing your business. Producing valuable and relevant content helps establish your brand as a trusted authority, drives traffic to your website, and turns leads into customers, which supports steady revenue growth.

A helpful blog post answering common customer questions can boost organic traffic to your site. Companies with active blogs generate 67% more monthly leads than those without blogs. Using different content formats like blogs, videos, and infographics allows you to reach a wider audience and engage them along the customer journey. Optimizing your content for search engines (SEO) using targeted keywords and meta tags can improve your website’s search rankings, attracting more visitors and potential customers. Consistently publishing content keeps your audience engaged and loyal, leading to higher sales and growth.

Related: 5 Simple SEO Strategies to Improve Your Rankings

4. Create a winning referral program

A well-designed referral program can help you grow your business by leveraging your existing customers to bring in new leads and sales. Encouraging happy customers to refer friends and family by offering incentives like discounts or rewards can motivate them to spread the word about your business.

Dropbox offered free storage space to both the referrer and the new user, resulting in a 60% increase in sign-ups. Customers acquired through referrals tend to stick around longer and are more likely to buy again. In fact, referred customers have a 16% higher lifetime value than non-referred customers. By setting up a strong referral program, you can tap into your customers’ networks, drive more sales, and build loyalty with your current customer base.

5. Form smart partnerships

Teaming up with other businesses can open new doors for growth and revenue. Look for businesses that complement yours to form partnerships that benefit both parties, such as cross-promotions or co-branding efforts. These partnerships can help you reach new markets and improve your offerings.

Co-branded campaigns can also boost brand awareness and customer loyalty because customers value the combined expertise of two trusted brands. When forming partnerships, set clear goals and benefits to ensure the collaboration is successful and worthwhile.

Related: 80% of Businesses Fail Due To a Lack of Cash. Here are 4 Reasons Why Cash Flow Forecasting Is So Important

6. Manage your cash flow for steady growth

This might be the last hack mentioned, but it’s one of the most important for small businesses. Monitor your expenses and find areas to cut costs without lowering quality. Modern payment apps make your finances easier to handle since they’re affordable, user-friendly, and offer instant payments. Consider dropping slow payment methods like checks, regular ACH and credit cards, which can be costly. Keeping your invoice payments and bills in sync is essential to avoid cash flow problems.

Allocate your resources wisely to invest in projects that boost revenue and help your business grow. You can also use cash flow forecasting tools to plan better. By managing your budget carefully, you can set your business up for success and sustainable growth.