Most summers for the last 50 plus years, I\u2019ve spent a week or more on the coast of Maine. And much of that time has been spent in boats: rowboats, canoes, kayaks, sailboats and small motorboats.<\/p>\n
When the sun shines and the sky is blue, it\u2019s easy to go for a picnic or motor across to the nearest store to pick up groceries. But when the Maine fog rolls in and blankets the bay, it\u2019s easy to get disoriented and lost.<\/p>\n
The current recession is just like a big, damp, cold fog bank for most small business marketing plans<\/a>. It\u2019s disorienting and many people are panicking and losing sales and money.<\/p>\n What can you do?<\/p>\n Discover what works even in a recession<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Years ago, I discovered that with a few simple skills I could navigate through the thickest fog and magically get where I wanted to go, most of the time, much to the surprise of my friends. Now with a GPS it\u2019s so easy anyone can do it.<\/p>\n The same is true with your small business marketing plan. Once you know how to stay focused and navigate through this recession you\u2019ll amaze yourself as you see profits pouring in.<\/p>\n Use the following five steps:<\/p>\n 1.\u00a0 Begin with an urgent and compelling goal.<\/strong> 2.\u00a0 Pick something you can accomplish within a few weeks, a month at most.<\/strong> Or if you want to get referrals, you could start by writing the sequence of questions you\u2019d use to get existing clients to tell you how much they love your products or services and than to get them to give you 1-2 names of people they\u2019ll help you contact.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0 Pick something you can measure.<\/strong> 4.\u00a0 Make sure the larger goal and the sub-goal you have picked is one that everyone on your team can commit to.<\/strong> If everyone can agree, for example, that they\u2019ll focus on adding one more sales partner each month, it\u2019s more likely to happen.<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0 Pick a goal you can accomplish with the people and resources you have.<\/strong> That\u2019s it. Now get started.<\/p>\n Pick an urgent small business marketing goal, stay focused and you\u2019ll be amazed at what you can accomplish. Anyone with motivation and determination can bring in more sales this way.<\/p>\n – Charlie<\/em><\/p>\n P.S. <\/strong>Remember, that to change the behavior of your prospects, to get more people buying, you first need to change your own behavior.<\/p>\n P.P.S.<\/strong> Ready to stop struggling and start profiting from your small business marketing plan in this recession?<\/p>\n Get a team of experts working for you<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
\nPick a goal that\u2019s vital to the success of your small business marketing plan. It could be lead generation, referrals, increasing repeat sales, customer retention, etc.\u00a0 But whatever you pick, it should be so important that it motivates you to follow through.<\/p>\n
\nIf your goal is to write a book, identify a short-term sub goal, such as completing the first chapter.<\/p>\n
\nImproving customer service is a nice idea, but you need a specific sub goal you can measure. Increasing repeat sales this month would be a good measureable goal.<\/p>\n
\nIf half your team doesn\u2019t agree that it\u2019s urgent, it won\u2019t happen.<\/p>\n
\nThat way you\u2019re not dependent on additional funds or new resources.<\/p>\n
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