Four Steps to Better Marketing Habits (SSMS Episode 79) [ 7:35 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (52)

If you’re having trouble finding the time and energy to market your business, it may be your habits are to blame! You can’t grow your business if you aren’t marketing consistently and putting yourself in front of people who are already looking for your solutions. And you can’t market consistently if you have poor time management and productivity habits. What you CAN do is make simple shifts in your mindset to break through these challenges and make progress in reaching your goals. In this week’s podcast, I share some simple ways you can change your habits to find more time for marketing.

It's time to be honest! Are you really spending the time you need to each day on growing your business? Or are you getting distracted with time wasters like surfing the Internet, hanging out on Facebook or other busy work that isn't leading to profits?

If your time management and productivity habits are holding you back, it will be impossible to grow your business. That's why it's so important to start building good habits that support your marketing needs and help you reach your goals. I know what it's like to try to overhaul your life (and habits!) in one fell swoop. It doesn't work so well! But what ALWAYS works is taking one step at a time. Here's where you start:

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Creating a successful business is a simple step-by-step process. Of course, there will be challenges along the way. You may make a few mistakes – I know that I have! I have literally made every mistake that an entrepreneur can make – but it hasn’t stopped me from being successful. I’ve learned that as long as you stay focused on your goals and do the right things consistently you can create your version of a successful business.

Here are three simple keys that you can use to create more success in your business NOW: Read more about How to Create More Consistency and Clarity in Your Business

You've heard me say it before. Marketing is simply a matter of sharing solutions with people who are already looking for them.  So, the point of your marketing messages is to encourage your prospective clients to take the next step with you: hire you to help them solve their problems.

But if you aren’t clear on that step or don’t outline exactly what they should do to get that help, then you’re leaving your prospects hanging and leaving money on the table. If you want your marketing messages to have an impact, you need to carefully consider what you’d like them to do next, spell it out for them exactly and make it easy for them to do so. MORE

Social media – it’s one of the most overhyped words in online marketing – so much so that many service professionals have thrown the baby out with the bath water and given up. However, when you learn to use social media consistently and correctly it can be a great boon to your business.

Here are five reasons why social media should be an essential part of your marketing toolbox: Read more about the Top 5 Reasons Why Social Media is an Essential Tool

Let's face it. Not everyone loves networking. For some the very thought makes them queasy.

Yet, inherently, most service professionals know that effective networking is often the fastest path to generating more cash for their business.  So if you are on of those who would rather do yourself bodily harm then attend a networking event, what are you supposed to do? Read more about Networking Tips for Introverts - 6 Easy Steps

I get it.  You need some affordable marketing ideas you can implement without laying out a lot of cash. But how can you consider even affordable marketing ideas when the budget's tight, your client base is small and you're not quite so confident in your marketing skills?

Affordable marketing is easier than you think. In fact, you can start a new campaign today! After all, marketing is simply a matter of presenting solutions to people who are already looking for them! Using just a bit of creativity, you can implement these three affordable marketing ideas right now. Read more about Three Affordable Marketing Ideas You Can Implement Today

Whether you're in start-up mode or an established business owner experiencing a cash crunch, you may find yourself without as much capital as you'd like to spend on marketing your business.  That may be your reality, but that is no excuse for not marketing your services.  The only way you’re going to grow your business and create more cash flow is to market your solutions consistently. Fortunately, there are several FREE strategies that you can use to put your business in front of the people who need what you have to offer.

Use all or one of these strategies to market your business on a budget:      MORE

If you are looking to start a coaching or consulting business, or if you've been in business for a while and want to make sure you've got the basics covered, I have JUST the resource for you!

My good friend Kathleen Gage, The Street Smarts Marketer, has prepared a content-rich special report on this very topic and she graciously has allowed me to share a copy with you!

There's no opt-in required and no obligation! Just top notch content delivered by one of the industries leading experts.

I've learned a LOT from Kathleen over the years and truly appreciate her no-nonsense style, so I'm just tickled to be able to share her expertise with you.  Just click on the following link to download your copy and please, stop back by and let me know what you think after you've read it!

What You Need To Know to Start Your Own Coaching/Consulting Business

Enjoy!

We all collect business cards. When you're out networking and meeting people, you get their business card and you give them yours. Then you get home or back to the office, you put their business card in a nice little pile and often never look at it again unless you need something, right?

How can you make sure that this doesn't happen to YOUR business card?

One of the most important pieces of marketing collateral you can have is a high-quality business card. Take the time and effort to make this an impressionable marketing tool so that it will talk to your ideal client, even when you're not there.

Traditionally, the problem with most business cards is that they are boring. They have a logo, a name, a phone number, physical address, email address and website...that's it. So no one really gives it a second look or wants to keep it around because it doesn't really "say" anything. There's nothing on that business card that makes someone stop and say, "I need to save this card because I'm going to need these services soon."

Here's how to ensure your business card isn't thrown away or forgotten:

1. Spend some time designing your new business card. Really take the time to make it look polished and include all the necessary information. (I'm always amazed when I get business cards without a physical address!) This isn't the time for "do it yourself" by just using the software that comes with your computer to create a business card and print it on your home printer. Hire a graphic designer who can incorporate style and function into your business card.
2. Don't go cheap! Your business card shouldn't have any other companies information printed on it. Your card is a reflection of you and your business, make sure it leaves a good impression. Spend a few extra dollars on the good card stock and color printing. It makes a big difference!
3. Utilize the space of the entire card, both front and back, but don't put too much info. Maximize the back of the card too by speaking directly to your ideal client. Consider printing your targeted tag line on the back of your business card, or a few open ended questions that speak to catch your ideal clients' attention. You may also include an offer for the compelling freebie you have posted on your website to drive traffic there. When prospects see you as a solutions provider, they will keep your business card.
4. Resist the urge to put a lot of information on your card, people simply won't read it. Don't overwhelm them with details right away, make them contact you for more information.

After you've designed a great business card and have them printed on high quality card stock, the next step to ensure your business card isn't ignored is to follow simple business card etiquette. That is, don't give your business card to a person unless they ask you for it.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when they are out networking and meeting people, is that they automatically shove their business card in the other person's hand. They haven't even had a chance to find out their name or what kind of business they are in and they are already "assuming" the other person "needs" them and their services.

Wrong.

Networking is as much about building relationships as it is about building business. But you have to have a good relationship first. Make sure to wait for someone to ask you for your nice new business card before you give it to them. You will be glad you did. This gracious gesture helps create a solid foundation for the beginning of a great relationship. And, it ensures that people will want to remember you and keep your card because of their positive experience with you.