Whether or not you are a person who makes New Year's resolutions, one thing is for sure. You'd like your business to be more profitable and more successful than last year. As entrepreneurs, we all want to be progressive and accomplish our goals.
It takes more than good intentions to do that. Success as a small business owner requires that we be willing to make adjustments, work through challenges and improve our habits. For many, the new year provides an opportunity for a fresh start. So how do you ensure that you follow-through on your good intentions and achieve your goals?
Here's how:
1. Commit to building better habits - Make the decision to identify and act on your marketing priorities EACH day. Tomorrow you will be gifted 24 hours. Let's say 8 of those are dedicated to your business. How will you spend them? Will you give in to distraction or focus on ONLY your priority tasks. Will you allow email, the Internet, unimportant tasks, phone calls or other distractions to consume your day? Or instead can you, WILL YOU, take complete responsibility for how you choose to spend your time? Of course there will be things that pop up that are out of your control. Even so, you can still take control of your time and choose to focus on taking the necessary action to grow your business.
2. Stay in your POWER zone - Perhaps you are great at networking, but the thought of writing a blog post or an article makes your head hurt. Maybe it's the other way around. You love to write but you'd rather eat nails than go to a networking event. If you are looking for a quick way to jumpstart your marketing efforts and increase your profits, focus on these three things:
• What you enjoy doing
• What you're good at doing
• What has generated the best results
That's IT! If you aren't too excited about a particular marketing strategy, don't force it! Trying to convince yourself to do it creates unnecessary pressure and drains your energy, which guarantees that the strategy won't work well anyway. Instead, strive to ENJOY (wow, what novel idea!) growing your business and focus on the things you do best.
3. Ditch your "superhero" cape and get some help! - A lot of entrepreneurs find a sense of satisfaction in being a business martyr. If you have ever found yourself thinking:
• "If I want it done right, I have to do it myself!"
• "If it's not hard, it must not be right!"
• "If I'm struggling, I must be on the right track..."
•...Or something similar.
You may be guilty of trying to be a business martyr. I have one thing to say to you about that. STOP!
There is no glory in making your journey more difficult than necessary. And there is no shame in reaching out for help. It's simply what smart entrepreneurs do.
Have you been working solo for a while and find that you consistently don't have enough hours in the day to get through your task list? Hire an assistant.
Are you not sure what step to take next to get more clients and increase your profits? Hire a coach!
Did you have a coach before, and then decide you could "do it" on your own, but now find yourself floundering? Hire a coach... again!
Investing in yourself is the BEST investment you can make. It's guaranteed to pay off. How much more would you get done if you had someone truly holding your feet to the fire and guiding you by the hand? Wouldn't you be more focused and less distracted? What kind of affect do you think THAT would have on your bottom line? Choose today to leave the excuses behind, and reach out for the help you need. It's the one thing that all successful entrepreneurs have in common, so come join the club!
Achieving more success in your business doesn't necessarily require a massive overhaul. By taking charge of your time, focusing on what you enjoy doing to market your business and getting help where and when you need it, you'll get further than you've ever thought possible! Isn't it time to end the struggle and start thriving in your business? Yes, I think so too!
What first step will you take to break through your current marketing struggles?
Visit http://www.SmartSimpleMarketing.com for your FREE marketing toolkit, "5 Simple Steps to More Clients, More Visibility and More Freedom" and apply for a FREE "Profit Breakthrough" session with Sydni!
Learn more about the author, Sydni Craig-Hart.
Great article and so very true. I didn't think working with a coach would help; in fact, I thought it was sort of a scam, because of all the "life coaches" coming into the market.
But then I had an experience with an LOA coach and a marketing coach and it changed my life and how I look at my business. A coach is a great way to get on the right track, clean up your focus, and brainstorm new ideas.
I'll definitely use a coach in the future.
Thanks for the article. I have been very skeptical of coaches for the same reason as the previous poster. I am bombarded with emails from coaches.
I have certainly given up the notion that I can do all things myself and it's actually provided much relief and has let me focus on what I do best. It was a great decision when I hired an assistant. I love the way you put it in your article -- stay in your power zone.
"Have you been working solo for a while and find that you consistently don't have enough hours in the day to get through your task list? Hire an assistant."
Great to see this advice. I am in business to do just this...to help solopreneurs get more time for their core businesses and to provide superior administrative support.
I would say, don't hire just "an assistant." Look for an administrative consultant, someone who has expertise and who wants to be a "partner." The last thing you need is someone who needs to be hand-held or supervised, or who doesn't produce quality work that gives your business the best image possible.
Thanks for the comments Kimberley and Pam! I must admit, when I first heard of coaching, I thought it was a crock too! :)
That was because I didn't understand and certainly hadn't experienced. But once you have a high level of support and accountability, and see the difference it makes in your income, you never want to be without it!
I'm glad to know that I am in good company. :)
I appreciate your note Judy!
I don't know if you know this, but I started my entrepreneurial career as a Virtual Assistant. However I never actually called myself a VA. :)
Instead I did call myself a consultant, and in fact, my original business name was Craig Hart Consulting. I do believe that my view of my work was one of the reasons I created a six-figure VA practice so clearly.
Whether one has the goal of making six figure or not is not the point. But it's important to no underestimate the value of what we create for our clients. :)
Excellent information about an important topic. Realistic and practical suggestions.
Sydni, you're right on target about support and accountability. I hope you'll consider writing an article about what to look for in a coach and what to stay away from.
Thanks again for a very informative article.
That's a great idea Pam! I will add that to my topic list and let you know when I publish the article. :)
Thanks for the feedback Nadir! I'm so glad you enjoyed the article. Please feel free to pass it along to others who you think will benefit! :)
I think social media marketing via Facebook and Google Plus is very effective and risk-free.
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Thanks for your comment Justina! What kind of results have you had from marketing your business with Facebook and Google+? We'd love to hear your tips and success stories! :)
In addition to the steps in this article Sydni, part of your planning for 2012 should include taking a look at what you project your revenue and expenses will be in the coming year. I have detailed information about Small Business Cash Flow Projection and Cash Management Strategies for the New Year at Smartbusinesscashflow
Want to spend the day with me in San Francisco? I'm considering hosting a one-day VIP Strategy Retreat for you and 5 other results focused...[more]
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