Want To Be A Stronger Marketer? Work Your Marketing Muscles!

You want to be more flexible? You have to stretch your muscles. Want to be physically stronger? You have to find a way to workout and build your muscles. Want to be a stronger marketer? You've got to work your marketing muscles.

Just as an athlete needs to workout to stay in shape, if you want to get stronger at marketing, you need to work your marketing muscles. So how do you work marketing muscles?

1. Read Regularly. There is no shortage of resources out there folks. Find them and begin consuming them. There are books and newsletters and resources all over the web. Don't get overwhelmed by the volume of resources available. Pick one and commit to consuming it. Schedule a time that works for you and sit down and read that resource. Even if you only find one or two good ideas, doesn't that make you a little bit stronger?

2. Find Avenues To Write. Writing might be the single most important skill for effective marketing. "But I'm not a good writer" you say. Listen, you are a wealth of information about your business or industry, and writing is the key to sharing that information to attract business. Writing will also help you gain clarity about the value of your own services.

Practice writing regularly. Articles, tip sheets, your web site content, newsletters, sales letters, and case studies are all examples of things to be writing. Do the best you can and consider an editor or copywriter to review it if you're worried about it being great. You'll get better, and stronger, with practice.

3. Increase Your Speaking Ability. Much like writing, speaking is one of the most powerful tools for developing attention, interest, trust and credibility with your potential audience. This is not just standing up in front of an audience to give a presentation, seminar, or workshop, although these are great strategies. You've also got to be prepared to stand up and introduce yourself at networking meetings. Or more basically, you have to be prepared to answer that question, "What do you do?"

Confidence in speaking comes with preparedness and practice. Ever been to a networking meeting when someone stands up for their introduction and starts out with, "Um, Ok, let's see?"? Clearly not practiced and prepared. Spend time preparing for what you want to say when you introduce yourself and when someone ask, "What do you do?"

Just like exercise, even scheduling just a few hours a week to work your marketing muscles will begin to make a difference. Before you know it, you might be a pretty strong marketer.

(c) - Kevin Dervin, KPD Marketing

About the Author:

Kevin Dervin is focused on helping small businesses that are ready to grow, but struggle with how to consistently attract more clients. Visit http://www.proven-small-business-mar keting-solutions.com for more great marketing information you can put to use in growing your business today.

Find Kevin's Kansas City based KPD Marketing practice at http://www.ABCDgrowth.com and subscribe to his free ezine called ABCD Grow.

---

Why Direct Mail Advertising Works And How To Lower Your Costs

I met a lady who said she received a notice... Read More

Creating And Maintaining A Mailing List

Starting to collect proper information to create a... Read More

Business In 2010: A New Face of Marketing

The term "internet marketing" was virtually non-existent a short 8... Read More

11 Rock Solid Techniques For Generating Product Ideas Anytime Anywhere!

Whatever business you are in, either online or offline, you've... Read More

Laws of Marketing ? The 10 Immutable

Most marketers believe that anything is achievable if you are... Read More

Write Effective Fundraising Letters By Being Conversational (Includes Examples & Samples)

I am doing what you do, sitting at my computer,... Read More

Deceptive Marketing and Procrastination

Procrastination is every marketers worst nightmare.This applies on three fronts.Firstly... Read More

Direct Mail - Dont Assume, Just Test and Track

Where to Start:Most novice marketers have definite fixed ideas about... Read More

Does Your Marketing Pass This 10-Point Test?

Good marketing, whatever form it takes, always meets certain criteria.... Read More

If You Do No Other Preparation

Far too often we see small businesses rush into doing... Read More

The Surprise Inside!

Think about all those Cracker Jacks you ate as a... Read More

Blowing Your Own Horn

Opportunity Assistance Business Resource Center http://www.opportunityassistance.comAt first you... Read More

Small Business Marketing Tip ? Putting the Customer First.

I am a great believer in the keeping to the... Read More

How Much Is Your Popcorn Worth? Powerful Lessons In Marketing & The Psychology Of Selling - Part 5

How Much Is Your Popcorn Worth?: Powerful Lessons In Marketing... Read More

Target Market - 3 Big Reasons You Need To Know Yours

Rule Number One when writing marketing materials is "Know Your... Read More

Renting Your Mailing Lists to Others

RESOLVING THE "PROPRIETARY" DILEMMA... SHOULD YOU RENT YOUR OWN MAILING... Read More

The 7 Areas of Marketing Waste - Are You Committing These Marketing Sins?

If you want to reduce waste and grow your business... Read More

Marketing Messages: Your 10 Most Important Business Principles

As a self-employed professional, you have two basic strategies for... Read More

What Does Your Logo Color Say About Your Business?

And not only your logo, but also your website, your... Read More

Increase Repeat Business and Referrals with Direct Mail

So you have been writing mortgages like crazy now for... Read More

19 Ways To Attract Higher Paying Clients

Some people have little difficulty attracting and maintaining clients who... Read More

How to Set (and Get) the Right Prices

Which product feature of yours is every buyer keen to... Read More

Get Personal: Letters vs. Direct Mail

One of the reasons direct mail works is the personal... Read More

The Top 10 Ways to Market your Business or Professional Practice Without Advertising

Every business and professional practice MUST be in the public... Read More

The Beginners Mail Order Business Guide

No claim is made that the steps outlined would be... Read More

How To Make More Money

The biggest crime in small businesses today goes unnoticed by... Read More

Lack Of Business Isnt Always The Problem

When you're just starting out in business, it's a safe... Read More

Mobile Auto Detailers and Newspaper Companies as Clientele

If you are a mobile auto detailer or mobile car... Read More

Marketing Worksheet

Even the world's best marketing strategy won't work for you... Read More

Fundraising: How To Avoid Three Common Mistakes

I'm a board member of a local nonprofit and we... Read More

Comprehensive Marketing Details Not Found in Beginner Books

If this is the first marketing article you are reading,... Read More

3 High-Impact Fixes For Your Marketing Woes

How many times has your competitor gotten one over on... Read More

How To Market A Seminar

Have you ever left a seminar thinking: "I could have... Read More