Get started NOW – don’t wait for everything to be perfect, because it will never be!
You’ll send that marketing e-shot out to the database once you’ve sorted out the little button on the website that you want a different colour. Or maybe it would be best to wait until Monday, it’s no good sending on a Thursday, is it?
The truth is, you are not going to get to that 100% perfect stage where you are ready to go. Lots of factors outside our control will affect the timing and success of marketing and business development campaigns. The best chance you have to get results is to do something NOW!
All those great ideas that are going round in your head, the “to do” list that you need to start implementing, the phone calls, the networking events, the direct mail piece you have to design – they are all vying for your attention and by thinking about all these tasks and activities, you get nowhere fast!
You have to prioritise, list all the little steps that are required and the information you are going to need to achieve the bigger goal. Then begin. So for example if you have to make some business development / sales calls, your list could look like this:
- What is the purpose of my call? What am I offering the customer? Why would they use me?
- Do I have a database or am I simply cold calling from a directory? Am I calling once to get the right person to speak to then ringing again to ask for them direct, or will one call suffice?
- What happens if the person you want to speak to answers the phone themselves? Are you prepared to go straight into your “script”? You have to think about all these scenarios and how you will react because you have to remain in control and be ready for business.
- What is your target for today? How will you structure your calls? Will you have a break / make a cuppa / get some fresh air after every 10, 20 or 30 calls? When will you send follow up information to the people you speak to? If immediately you have to have an email template ready to personalise briefly after each call.
This list isn’t conclusive or perfect but it gives you enough ammunition to hit the phones now.
Same goes for whatever the task is. Lots of networking events to choose from? Pick one and commit to attend. Get your promotional pitch ready so when people ask what you do you have a good answer that hopefully then encourages them to ask “how do you do that” – giving you permission to talk more!
If you need help in identifying priority areas and putting a realistic plan together to get started and build the momentum with your marketing, please let me know.
