Still Doing It Without a Marketing Plan?

Many of my new clients tell me they either don't do any marketing, or do 'some', but nothing consistently. This is especially surprising to me for businesses that have been around for more than five years. But then I still run into prospects who don't have a website and wonder why they aren't more successful Online.

There are some great resources available to help you establish a marketing plan. Find something that resonates with you and will help you to spread the word about your business to reach your target market.

And do it consistently. The plan is what helps you stay accountable to consistently work your marketing initiatives. If you start your first eZine with the sentence... "Welcome to my monthly eZine", and then they don't get another one for three months, you've just communicated to them that you're not so reliable.

As the economy begins to recover, not having a plan could be extremely hazardous to your business. My business has shown steady growth over the past three years and I believe this is because I have a complete and easy-to-use marketing plan system in place.

Start small and build your plan over time. Be consistent and try each marketing strategy for at least 6-months, or 5-7 touches, before you make the decision to scrap it and try something new. Know that it can take up to 12-touches before prospective clients will begin to recognize you and consider contacting you about working together.

Sometimes as small business owners, we just don't know where to start, or how to balance our time to include those things that we need to do to make our businesses grow. Having and implementing a simple marketing plan can make a difference in your business generating a little bit of income, or allowing you to make a good living.

If this sounds like you, then I hope you'll consider several things to get back on track with your marketing and get your business growing again.

Consider reading a few marketing books to help you establish a simple plan; attend a marketing plan seminar or workshop; or contact an experienced marketing virtual assistant and partner with them to create the plan that's right for you. They can even help you with implementation and staying on track with your plan.

Just about every business conference or training I attend reminds me to do only those things where I have the most expertise, and to hire a team of professionals to manage those things that are not my forte. As my business has become more successful, I have found that this is sound thinking and having a team to support me, in areas of collections, article marketing and some social media marketing, frees up my time to do more tasks that I love and that generate my income.

Take the time to find something that helps you consistently market your business and make the last few months of 2012 your best ever!