If you have your own planning business and have suffered over the summer, you’re in good company. Almost every business has reported less business. Even though things are picking up for most people at least to a small degree, things may have changed permanently for planners. You might have to change your methods, advertising, and even your day-to-day business activities to stay lean but productive.

However, one of the best things you can do for yourself–and your clients–is stay positive. Of course you have heard that all summer long. But there is a reason for this you may not have heard from anyone else. Besides keeping yourself emotionally and mentally healthy, it helps you keep your customers.

When you answer the phone people can tell how you’re feeling. It’s been said that if you smile when you say “hello” people will hear a much cheerier voice, someone who sounds like she is glad you called. This is an important first impression for a business owner.

Sure, this has the added benefit of helping you feel better. Many experts in psychology say that smiling will do that when you’re down. Whether or not that’s true, your clients will still pick up on your mood over the phone, so don’t ignore the power of the smile.

Also don’t ignore the power of a good word. Find something positive to open up your conversations with clients. Even if the day is cold, rainy, windy, and the highway is shut down, there must be something good about it.

The upshot of all this is that whether your client is having a good day or bad one, you can make it better with your attitude and maybe even some good news about a project the client wants. In this day of confusion and crisis, keeping your head level will become a commodity of sorts, and your business bottom line will show it.