Youre Halfway There!...Or Not Part 1

The year is almost over and the last half of this year will fly by just as fast as the first half. Are you on target for meeting your business goals for this year?

If you answered yes, congratulations! Keep reading for ideas that will help you stay on track.

If you answered no, don't panic. Keep reading to find out how to get back on track so you can meet or exceed your business goals for this year.

This is part 1 of a 2 part article series that will show you how to avoid another year of not reaching your business goals.

DURING JULY:

Spend the month of July creating a marketing plan for the rest of this year. How can your business make a greater impact in the marketplace before this year is over? What marketing strategies worked for you and which ones bombed so far this year? Focus on the strategies that are working for you, and work to make them even better to ensure greater results and more clients before the end of this year.

Think about holding a contest or special event before this year is over. You can create something unique or you can tie your event into a major holiday. Put the event on your marketing calendar and give yourself at least three months to plan and promote it.

Set a goal to issue at least three Press Releases before this year is out. Think about upcoming programs and services that you are launching and find a way to create a newsworthy Press Release about it. Mark the dates for issuing your Press Releases on your marketing calendar.

Set a goal to do at least two marketing campaigns before this year is out. If you are not on target for meeting your revenue goals for this year, you will need to do more than two campaigns. Maximize the effectiveness of each campaign by doing an online version as well as a direct mail version.

DURING AUGUST:

In August, focus on generating more revenue for your business. Since 'Back to School' is a major theme during this month, 'educate' your clients and prospects. You can do this through value packed seminars, teleclasses, infoproducts, and conferences. In addition to providing value, your goal is to show your prospects how you can help them solve their problems.

You can offer a Fall sale for a service or product that is new or old, but make sure your prospects are aware of the increased value of the offer due to the decreased price. Make the offer compelling enough so they will buy before the sale ends.

If you don't have an infoproduct, spend the month of August creating your first one and draft a plan for future infoproducts.

DURING SEPTEMBER:

In September, leave obscurity behind. Gain more recognition for your business through public speaking, networking, and publishing.

Volunteer to speak at seminars held by business associations or your local chamber. Start with business associations that you are a member of, and look for other opportunities for speaking by offering to speak in front of local groups that are comprised of your target market.

Step up your networking activities to gain more visibility for your business. If you are currently only doing your networking offline, add online networking to the mix.

Approach every networking opportunity with the intent to connect with at least three people. Focus on learning more about their business and their challenges. Exchange business cards after you have made a connection and follow up immediately. Stay in touch with your networking contacts on a regular basis.

If you are not already publishing a newsletter, spend the month of September creating your first one. If you don't want to commit to publishing a newsletter on a regular basis, then publish articles that focus on your areas of expertise.

TAKE ACTION NOW!

Spend some time implementing these ideas for your business during the next three months, and you will be on track for meeting your business goals for this year.

Copyright 2004 Black Unicorn Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Tresaca Hamilton is the CEO of Black Unicorn Communications. Black Unicorn Communications helps Service Businesses attract more clients in less time. Visit http://www.blackunicorninc.com for a FREE Business Success Toolkit, including the 7 day e-course: 7 Steps To More Clients

---

How to Run a Successful News Release Program

Marketing public relations gives you cost effective ways to reach... Read More

Lessons Learned at the Harvard Business School

"If God wanted to create a perfect punishment for a... Read More

Who are Those People Youre Selling To?

If you're in the IT business, that's an important question.Most... Read More

The Magic of Using Booklets for Tradeshow Giveaways

Candy, squeeze balls, pens, and key chains -- these provide... Read More

The Apprentice: 5 Lessons in Marketing

Donald Trump's hit reality show, The Apprentice is a godsend... Read More

Does The Market Really Want It?

At the very heart of any successful marketing strategy is... Read More

Five Cheap Tricks for Promoting Your Business

If you're like me, you're always looking for ways to... Read More

Keeping Marketing Simple / Ten Simple Steps

1. Business CardsIt is very important to market yourself via... Read More

Growing Your Brand Assets

Okay. Raise your hand if you think brand management is... Read More

SMS for the Estate Agent - Targeted Marketing Tool, or Legal Minefield?

Imagine having at your disposal a means to immediately inform... Read More

Business In 2010: A New Face of Marketing

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

Distinguish Your Business From The Competition

You followed time-honored online marketing techniques to the letter: you... Read More

John Kerry, Amazing Direct-Marketer!

If you want to uncover a little secret about how... Read More

How Price Gouging Can Hurt Your Business

"Price gouging" is an emotional, inflammatory term. Everyone is against... Read More

Slogans: Creating and Using Them In Life, Career and Business

Information is coming at us from all directions nowadays. This... Read More

Are Corporate Awards and Corporate Gifts Beneficial for Your Business?

With the increased challenges that all companies are faced with,... Read More

Do You Really Know Your Prospect?

I'd like to introduce you to someone. I don't actually... Read More

Copy SoapNet and Make Money

Whether you want to admit it or not, soap operas... Read More

Top 5 Tips For Media Selection

Marketers have a wide variety of media at their disposal.... Read More

Top 10 Tips To Market & Build Your Professional Practice

In building and running a professional practice (or any small... Read More

Testimonials - FREE Quality Advertising FOR YOU!

Every business person who has any kind of product or... Read More

What Are People Buying Online?

Benefits, that's what!Whether you're selling in print or in person,... Read More

Trade Show Exhibit Booth ? 7 Tips to Improve Yours

Once you have decided to participate in a trade show,... Read More

The Easiest Small Business Direct Marketing Tip You?ll Ever Get

This really and truly is the easiest (and most profitable)... Read More

More Marketing Dope

Direct marketing can make you very successful, but you've got... Read More

Direct Mail Sales Letter Mistakes to Avoid

Some companies that use direct mail to sell their products... Read More

Costly Web Copy Pitfalls

One secret to a site that sells: Look at your... Read More

B2B Marketing Tips - Create an Interactive Online Experience for Clients

Business to business communications on the web are as stale... Read More

Is Your Company A Member Of The Community?

One particularly hot south Texas day, I was making a... Read More

Boost Your Business With Testimonials

When used correctly, testimonials can boost your response dramatically. They... Read More

Are You Playing Checkers or Chess?

When you think about how to attract more clients for... Read More

Unleash the Power of Post Cards

Direct mail marketing is essential for a business to survive.Choosing... Read More

Three Alternative Methods On Getting Quality Testimonials with Bonus

Here are three alternatives to increase your testimonial numbers or... Read More