One of my favorite quotes from author John Maxwell is "The whole idea of motivation is a trap. Forget motivation. Just do it. Exercise, lose weight, test your blood sugar, or whatever. Do it without motivation. And then, guess what. After you start doing the thing, that’s when the motivation comes and makes it easy for you to keep on doing it. "
The reason I find it appropriate for marketing is because so many small business owners are looking for some type of encouragement to get them out the door and sell their product or service. Don't worry about the motivation. Just get out there and do something! Once you start doing it on a regular basis, it will become habit, and then the motivation will come.
To get started write down at least three marketing activities that you can do every day to attract the potential customer. Use a calendar, your PDA/cell phone, or a string on your finger if necessary to remember to do these three things, but the key is to do them! I would suggest thinking about who your best type of customer is and implement marketing actions to get that same type of customer again. If you are completely befuddled as to what to do, then try any of the following activities:
* Knock on doors, call, email, or send direct mail to prospective customers.
* Attend at least two networking events per week.
* Do a press release.
* Give away free samples or give away your product or service on a trial basis.
* Call existing clients and ask for more work or referrals.
* Put a magnet on your car.
* Partner with another business, in a different industry that has similar customers, and send each other referrals.
* Offer to do any type of speech or seminar on a specific topic (not a sales pitch) for free.
The TSBDC offers free and confidential one-on-one counseling for existing and start up small businesses. To register for go to www.tsbdc.org.Other contact information - Phone (615) 230-4780 www.volstate.edu/tsbdcThe Tennessee Small Business Development Center Network is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and local community donors.
