Top 10 Tips To Market & Build Your Professional Practice

In building and running a professional practice (or any small business or a home-based business), there are many items that must be monitored closely. As a small operation, you can't afford to find out too late that a critical aspect of your business has gotten off-track! This list looks at 10 items to emphasize at the start of a new year, or any time you want to rapidly grow your business in a short period of time.

This Top 10 is really two groups of 5 items each. The first 5 items are tools, things to have on hand that will help you grow your business quickly, while items 6 through 10 are personal qualities or personal styles that create a powerful sense of "attraction" for new clients.

1. A business plan. Include a clear mission statement, describe the services you provide, the population you serve, the benefits you provide, and financial projections.

2. A marketing plan. Include a description of your targeted market groups and budgets for time, energy and money to reach those specific groups of people.

3. A comprehensive set of brochures, exercises, hand-outs and "give aways". If word of mouth is the best advertising, make it easy for your clients to say the nicest things about you! Make sure every client has valuable information, tools and ideas to share with friends. Put real value in your literature.

4. A plan for networking. A huge part of success is just showing up! Whether it's civic activity, volunteering at your child's school, or in your house of worship, show up! The more you put into your community, and the more you contribute, the more you will get back.

5. The perfect office. Are your waiting room chairs comfortable? Are your magazines current and appropriate? How about the wall paper, the music, the carpet? Your office should tell each client that when they choose you, they are getting the best!

6. Over-respond to every situation. Give far more than expected. Answer every question, then send a relevant article a few days later. Return phone calls immediately! Promise less, then deliver twice what you promised.

7. Eliminate the cost of delay. Never wait "until you can afford" new equipment, a better office or more training. The cost of delay includes too many missed opportunities. If you need it, and you'll do it eventually, do it now! Get on the internet, get a computer billing system, upgrade your phones. Delay costs you money, time, energy and limits your creativity. Do it now!

8. Take superb care of yourself. Exercise and eat well, get plenty of rest and hang around the most delightful, challenging and exciting people you can find. See one less client per day, and spend that time adding value to your remaining clients.

9. Market yourself shamelessly. Market your practice with style, with passion, good taste, and a low-key honesty that is shame-free and comfortable for everyone around you. The community needs your skills far more than you need a job ? clearly communicate what you do and how well you do it. Your community needs you! Let them know how to find you!

10. Tolerate no distractions. A clear vision and passionate commitment to your priorities makes life simpler and you become incredibly attractive to those who share your vision. Clean up any distractions and serve your clients with absolute integrity and total commitment. People know when they are getting your best.

Always focus on what you want for your business in the months ahead. We don't generally get everything we wish for in life, but being clear, focusing on the important rather than the convenient or the familiar, and being smart and working hard can take us further than we imagine. The clearer you are about what you want, the more likely you are to get it.

© Copyright 2003 by Philip E. Humbert. All Rights Reserved. This article may be copied and used in your own newsletter or on your website as long as you include the following information: "Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at: http://www.philiphumbert.com

---

Does Your Marketing Plan Need Changing?

Change is good, right? Not always. But when is it... Read More

Color Part 1: Accuracy

Color is one of the most difficult parts of a... Read More

Small Business Pricing: Setting A Price For Your Product / Service

The importance of pricing can not be underestimated as incorrect... Read More

10 Important Steps to Mail Order Success

There are a number of difficulties a beginning entrepreneur may... Read More

Get More Clients From Networking - Follow The Rules Of Dating!

If you're a business owner, you probably spend quite a... Read More

Network Marketing Is Definitely A Relationship Business

Heavily branded websites like amazon.com are household names and carry... Read More

Sum of Its Parts

I just spent a week at the beach with my... Read More

The Greatest Business Tips are FREE

The best way for someone to hang on to a... Read More

Customer Retention with a Personal Touch

Personal contact with customers is a crucial element in the... Read More

AIDA From A Different View - I Call It the 5 Ws

My childhood was my foundation for how I write and... Read More

Marketing Strategies: What Choices Do You Have?

Most business people want to see improvements in sales and... Read More

Attract More Clients by Raising Your Profile

One of the most common issues I'm asked about is... Read More

Read Your Markets Mind - 3 Great Market Research Resources

Starting a new online business, developing a new product, launching... Read More

Budgeting for a Postcard Mailing

If you've never done a postcard mailing, you're probably wondering,... Read More

Have You Sold Your Internal Customers?

You can make the sale. You know your core message.... Read More

Client Attraction Technique #1: Niche Marketing

When asked "what business are you in" many business owners... Read More

Promotions That Build Profit

Promotions are everything you do to let your customers know... Read More

Marketing Tips 101 - Where Can I Get Clients From?

The following tips have come from a wide variety of... Read More

Take The Test: Does Your Marketing Copy Sell?

Your marketing materials must grab your prospect's attention long enough... Read More

50 Benefits Of Joint Venture Marketing

What Is A Joint Venture?A joint venture is an agreement... Read More

Marketing And Patience

"Get your positioning and your programs implemented properly, and the... Read More

Lessons From a Six Year Old

My 6 year old daughter Emily knows exactly what she... Read More

A Creative RIOT

Relevant, original and impactful: that's what my friend Creative Director... Read More

Name the Top Cable Network

When Cable began as Community Antenna Television in 1948, all... Read More

25 Ways To Make Your Next Direct Mail Campaign Work

This list contains 25 powerful strategies to improve your direct... Read More

Sponsorship: A Key to Powerful Marketing

Sponsorship is the fastest growing form of marketing in the... Read More

Perceived Value Is In The Eye Of The Beholder

Q: My partner and I are having a hard time... Read More

Postcards ? Picture Perfect Promotion

There is a simple but almost mystical law which governs... Read More

Two Steps to Improving Your Marketing Success

Since the human brain seems to be able to focus... Read More

Dear Friend: Dont Start Your Non-For-Profit Fundraising Letters As A Stranger

Dear Friend:Don't do it.Don't start your fundraising letters with "Dear... Read More

Baby Boomers - Marketing to the Me Generation

Unless you've been in a dimly lit cavern for the... Read More

Four Keys For Successful Foundation and Corporate Fundraising

Earlier in my career, I worked for a training and... Read More

Smart Ways To Rocket Launch Your Profits

If you really want to pull more profits from your... Read More