The Mistake That Can Kill Your Business

Too many times, as entrepreneurs, we get consumed with trying to do it all. We cram in one more email, one more blog post, one more sneak peek at Facebook or Twitter. We stay up late into the night tweaking one more ad, putting one more image on our website, or adding one more item to our to-do list. Sound familiar?

And pretty quickly, we go into overwhelm mode, where we’re busy putting out fires instead of believing in ourselves. We begin to crumble under the weight of our growing business, and we lose ourselves in escapism. We focus on only what has to be done today instead of looking forward to tomorrow, and we’re just relieved when our inbox finally gets to zero.

But is that what really matters most? Our inbox getting to zero? All those piddly things getting done?

No.

What matters most is to keep moving forward with our business. To block out the tidal wave of new emails, new Tweets, and “one more thing” and to remember, instead, to create every day. To bring something new into the world.

Mix Up Your Marketing For Increased Sales

Have you evaluated your marketing mix lately? True profits come from sales staff on the streets and are backed by memorable marketing efforts. Your community should think of you first for any concession need. Below are a few, easy tips to help you break out of the traditional marketing mix.

Put a “Face” to Your Business
Your time is spread thin, so look at any involvement like a business deal and evaluate the ROI (Return on Investment).

* Consider supporting a charity your customers and community care about

* Write a newspaper column

* Be a guest blogger

* Speak at an event

* Serve on a non-profit board or join a chamber of commerce

Combine Direct Mail with E-Marketing
While social media and E-marketing efforts are effective, many people still look forward to receiving mail and respond to these pieces. Try both and keep in mind these tips for best results.

* Don’t waste money; make sure to continuously update your mailing lists

* Offer opt-in programs on your Website or on any printed piece, including
invoices

* Offer a carrot to get contact information. Combine special deals on social
media sites and support efforts with direct mail pieces

* Avoid SPAM filters. Don’t use: Free, Gurantee(d), One time only, $$, Apply now, ALL CAPS, Excessive punctuation (!! or ??)

* Always include the option to be removed from a mail list