| Many small businesses have a difficult time growing | | | | 2. Create a strategic marketing plan. It doesn't need to |
| and maintaining sales. This problem is often caused by | | | | be an elaborate, fifty page document. Only a |
| a number of circumstances and events that are out of | | | | step-by-step guide of what you are going to do to |
| their direct control. Many forces can be blamed for | | | | create more business. |
| tough times in a business, but the offender typically is | | | | 3. Brainstorm for marketing ideas and tactics on a |
| the absence of one element: a competitive marketing | | | | regular basis. You will be surprised how many great |
| strategy. | | | | marketing activities you can think up. |
| Most entrepreneurs have a basic understanding of the | | | | 4. Keep track of your progress. Make a big chart of |
| importance of a small business marketing strategy. | | | | your plan and activities and check them off as you go. |
| However, it's safe to say that a large majority of them | | | | There's nothing like a little accomplishment to keep you |
| don't have one in place. These businesses do little | | | | motivated. |
| marketing whatsoever and claim, 'I get all of my | | | | 5. Be a marketing sponge. Keep your eyes open to |
| business from word of mouth.' This is not a strategy | | | | the marketing strategies and tactics that other |
| but a flimsy hope that clings to the value of one's | | | | businesses are using. Don't just look in your industry, |
| reputation. All it takes is one unhappy customer with a | | | | but pay attention and analyze other non-related |
| bad experience who speaks poorly of you to make | | | | industries for ideas and inspiration. |
| business suffer. | | | | 6. Be persistent. Never give up. Even if you miss a few |
| To effectively market you must create and maintain a | | | | days of working on your plan, go back and pick up |
| variety of strategies. So, what is the number one small | | | | where you left off. You will need some days off to be |
| business marketing strategy you must implement? | | | | productive on other issues and to recharge your |
| Simply do something everyday to market your | | | | batteries. |
| business! | | | | 7. Accept that failure will happen. Marketing is a |
| Developing the habit of working on your marketing | | | | combination of art, science, and luck. Some of what |
| each and every day is the closest you can get to | | | | you do will not work. It isn't the end of the world only |
| insuring small business success. It can be as easy as | | | | an opportunity to learn from your mistakes. |
| brushing your teeth. | | | | There are thousands of different ways to market |
| Here are some ways to develop the habit of | | | | your business. To be successful you must adopt the |
| marketing your business everyday: | | | | number one marketing strategy - do something |
| 1. Schedule one to two hours per day to work on your | | | | everyday to market your business. When you do, you |
| marketing and have the disciple to commit yourself to | | | | will see sales increase and your bank account grow. |
| it. | | | | |