You can’t possibly tackle every aspect of your marketing plan at once. But doing nothing to create awareness about your business is not an option, either.

1. "I don't have enough time to market"
2. "I don't have enough money to market my business"
3. "I'm too overwhelmed to market"

If you find that you have similar thoughts running through your mind, I have good news for you! There are simple strategies you can tap into to bust through these excuses and find the time, money and organization that you need to market consistently. Once you put these excuses behind you, you’ll be able to create the successful business that you’ve always wanted.

• “I don’t have enough time to market” – When you own your own business, you often wear a number of different "hats" each day. From following up with clients to planning new programs, to doing the actual work of your service business, your day is packed with various tasks. But marketing is an essential activity that you have to make time for on a monthly, weekly and daily basis. By diligently setting asides specific blocks of time to work on your marketing, you can easily create massive visibility for your work in just a few hours each week. With just a bit of planning, you’ll be able to fit marketing no matter how busy your schedule seems.

• “I don’t have enough money to market my business.” – If you’re thinking of marketing in terms of sending out direct mail pieces, buying advertising space or printing flyers, you may think that you don’t have enough money for marketing. While it’s true that there are many marketing activities that cost money, there are dozens of free to low-cost ways to market your services. For example, leveraging social media and hosting teleseminars is not only very effective but completely free. Don't try to reinvent the week and make the process more difficult than it needs to be!  By implementing low-cost marketing methods you can increase your reach even on a budget.

• “I’m too overwhelmed to market.” – If this is your mantra, it’s time to change your perspective about your business. No matter how busy you are with your current clients, you need to  market consistently to keep your pipeline full and your income steady. The solution lies in your creating s specific marketing plan to achieve your goals and then working that plan. In doing so you will avoid getting distracted by irrelevant opportunities and feelings of overwhelm, because you will be taking action on the RIGHT activities week in and week out.  This will help you feel more positive, in control and less overwhelmed - all while you are consistently enrolling ideal clients into your practice.

“Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right” – Henry Ford. We are all gifted the same amount of time each day.  What you choose to do with that time is entirely up to you.  But know this, you will not grow your business and achieve your goals if you don't market your solutions.  So you can't afford NOT to invest time and financial resources into connecting with the people that need what you have to offer.   Don’t allow excuses to stand in the way of your ability to create the profitable and successful business you deserve!

YOUR ACTION PLAN FOR THIS WEEK

1.       Take note of how you spend your work day. Chances are you can eliminate common time wasters to create at least 1-2 hours that can be spent on marketing each day.

2.       Make an appointment with yourself, within the next seven days to block out time to create your marketing plan.

3.       During your appointment with yourself, research ways to automate your marketing. For example, create a schedule for updating your blog and pre-plan your monthly posting schedule and how/where you will distribute that information.

4.       Schedule time each week to implement your marketing plan. Don't leave this to chance or allow anything to interfere with this appointment.

5.       Keep going! Once you’ve taken the time to establish a marketing plan, keep taking action and work your plan week after week.

Do you know where you are going in 2011? Have you drawn out a ‘road map’ for the direction you plan to take and assembled all the tools necessary to assure you will reach your business goals in the coming year?

I know people who refuse to ask for directions when traveling. They think they will be able to eventually figure out where they are and where they need to be – and they may – but at what expense? An extra cost in gas? Arriving late to their destination, perhaps missing out an important opportunity? Or at the very least, experiencing more frustration and stress than necessary, potentially spoiling what could have been an otherwise enjoyable journey. Wouldn’t it be easier to just stop, regroup, and ask for help from someone more familiar with the area?

While you alone are responsible for following through on your New Year’s Resolutions – here are some simple strategies for service professionals which are sure to assist in making that resolution a reality:    

Growing your business and achieving your goals is often the biggest challenge solopreneurs face.

As a business owner, you know all (or almost all) of the things you need to do to make your business successful and prosperous.  For example, you know you should:

• Keep your website up to date
• Network strategically
• Have a plan for marketing your business
• WORK your marketing plan
• Stay abreast of trends in your industry
• Outsource non-revenue generating tasks
• Keep your financial records in order
• Invest in continuing education opportunities
• Apply what you learn

...and the list goes on.

But, while your to do list and wish list get longer, there's often no one holding you accountable to make sure you get things done.  That's where a mastermind group comes into play and can be the critical piece you are missing to move your business ahead.

The basic principle of a mastermind group is that like-minded professionals join forces and commit to helping each other accomplish their goals.  As a group, you celebrate each other's victories and support each other in times of need.  One of the essential players in a successful, profitable mastermind group though, is a strong leader.

The leader of the mastermind group should be someone whose success you admire.  In other words, they need to be successful themselves first to be able to give you the direction you need to create the same type of success in your business.  Think about it, would you want to learn from a ski instructor who's never been on the slopes?

Here's what you want to look for in a potential mastermind group:

• A strong, seasoned and dedicated leader that has created the same results in their business that you want to create in yours.
• A group of like-minded professionals - While they don't all have to be from the same industry, it helps if there is some common ground for support and they are at the same general place in their business.
• Regular access to the leader and other members - A forum is a great way to interact with the group and get fast answers to your questions.  It needs to be a safe place, where no question is off limits.  You also want to have regular interaction with the group through virtual and live meetings.
• A structured program designed with your needs in mind - Having structure is necessary to ensure that each individual receives what they need.  There needs to be clear expectations for the leader and each group members, which creates a supportive environment where each entrepreneur can thrive.

There are many benefits to participating in a mastermind group.  First, you receive ongoing support in your business from people who know and understand what you are going through.  While your family may be cheering you on, even the most supportive family can't understand all the moving pieces in your business.

Second, you have friendly yet professional accountability.  While you won't get beat up over not accomplishing your goals, a good accountability partner and/or mentor will help you identify why you didn't reach your goals and then help you overcome those challenges.

Third, you get real life education while avoiding common pitfalls.  Working with a successful person as the mentor of the mastermind group will save you time, money and needless aggravation. Their insights and experience will help you avoid common pitfalls and give you the support you need if you've made a few mistakes.  And, ultimately knowing someone who has "made it" is a great motivator and will keep you inspired.

At the end of the day, you are still solely responsible for your success.  However, that doesn't mean you have to do it all yourself.  Consider joining a mastermind group to reap the benefits of collaboration and help you leap ahead towards accomplishing your business goals.

Have you participated in a mastermind group?  Or are you interested in participating? Please share your thoughts with me by commenting here on the blog!