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Keeping Your Small Business Marketing New Year's Resolutions

by Charlie Cook
Copyright 2005©. All rights reserved.

We all like to use the New Year to jump start our good intentions, making resolutions to do better at work, exercise more, and do what ever we didn't do last year for our families. This year, I've made it easy for you to tackle the work part; I've written resolutions for you. And, just as importantly, I'll show you how to keep them.

I'm not going to give you advice on giving up chocolate cake or getting more sleep, but I can help you write your marketing resolutions for 2006 so you can grow your business. Here's a two-step process:

First, review the small business marketing resolutions listed below. You're welcome to add your own. Then pick just one. Why only one? Growing your business is like climbing a set of stairs; you take one step at a time. Rather than being overwhelmed by the whole flight, begin the year focused on your top marketing resolution.

Second, write the marketing resolution you've chosen on a piece of paper and place it where you will see it every day. When you've accomplished that goal, replace it with a new one. Step-by-step and day-by-day you can improve your small business marketing, attract more clients and be more successful.

How to Pick Your Small Business Marketing Resolution
Scan the list and identify relevant resolutions. Then identify those that are critical to accomplish in the next 2 weeks and are doable with your existing resources or with resources that are readily available.

1. Keep a Positive Focus
Do you want more clients? Do you want to grow your business? Your attitude is your most powerful marketing asset. When you have a "can do" attitude, you're more likely to set high goals and to reach them; anticipating success is the first step to achieving it. Having a positive attitude doesn't cost you a penny and can earn you a fortune.

2. Write or Revise Your Marketing Plan
Are you marketing by the seat of your pants? Does your marketing amount to a loose collection of marketing tactics without any underlying strategy holding it together? An alternative is to create a plan to succeed. Write a marketing plan based on a clear set of marketing principles and include distinct and measurable goals.

3. Define Your Marketing Strategies
Wanting to double your business and setting your revenue targets is a first step. The next is to define the specific strategies you will use to achieve these objectives.

4. Institute a Process for Improving Your Marketing
This is a lot like getting and staying fit. If you work out energetically 3 to 5 times a week for at least thirty minutes, you'll be in good shape. Likewise, allocate the time and resources to improve your firm's marketing, whether it's a question of training, coaching with experts, or simply reading up on specific marketing tactics.

5. Use Client-Centered Marketing
The best way to get attention is to focus on your clients' concerns and not your own credentials. Establish ways to get constant feedback and input from prospects and clients. Use a client-centered approach in everything from your marketing message to ads to descriptions of products and services.

6. Follow Up
Every person who visits your web site, calls you on the phone, orders a product or uses your services is a potential for a sale and then a repeat sale. If you haven't already, create a system for regularly following up with people who have expressed interest, as well as those who have demonstrated a commitment by buying your products and services.

7. Learn How to Get Attention, Position Your Business and Sell More
Check the key marketing activities listed below to see where you could be doing a better job.

• Using a compelling marketing message
• Meeting your targets for response to your ads
• Generating leads
• Establishing credibility
• Clarifying the value of your products and services
• Using articles to attract prospects and clients
• Using your ezine to position yourself and sell products and services
• Overcoming objections
• Getting commitments from prospects and converting them to clients
• Increasing sales
• Publishing eBooks for passive income
• Getting more referrals
• Increasing web site sales with your Internet marketing

Discover how to increase sales with a better internet marketing strategy. Click here!

Here's to a Happy and Prosperous New Year!