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Five Secrets for Getting Twice the Marketing Done in Half the Time

Guest post by: Stacy Karacostas

Article Overview: So, what's my secret? I've developed a few rules for marketing any business more effectively and efficiently. As long as you stick to them, your marketing should keep getting done and you should keep seeing results.

Five Secrets for Getting Twice the Marketing Done in Half the Time

Ever feel like there are just not enough hours in the day to get all your work done, and market your business too (not to mention making time for things like sleep, exercise or hanging with your family)??

What entrepreneur doesn't right?!? I feel that way too sometimes-and I'm a marketer and copywriter by trade. But that doesn't mean I don't get it done. And it doesn't mean I work ridiculous hours to make it all happen.

In fact, I work less and get more marketing done for my own business now than ever before. That's on top of doing workshops, creating products, and working with a number of clients on their marketing.

So, what's my secret? I've developed a few rules for marketing any business more effectively and efficiently. As long as you stick to them, your marketing should keep getting done and you should keep seeing results.

1)Plan it Out

Few things beat having a goal, a good plan for reaching it, and to-do list to help you get everything done. And you'll get way more marketing done if you know exactly what you want to do and when. That's why the best marketing plans include timelines and due dates to give you extra accountability.

Otherwise, you'll just keep saying "Boy, business sure is slow. I really do need to do some more marketing". But you won't ever do it because you don't have something concrete to do.

2)Dedicate Days to Working ON Your Business

This is a big one! Because the reality is, you can never FIND time for anything-let alone marketing. You have to MAKE time. And if you're always busy working in your business it's never going to grow.

Even if all you do is set aside one day a month, that's a good start. But more is much, much better. I set aside Mondays and Fridays to work on my own business, plus an 1-2 hours on the other mornings. This is my time to write my ezine, create new products, do strategic and marketing planning, etc.

3)Do Your Marketing First

Sure, you have to put out fires and take care of clients and customers. But you're not doing yourself any favors if you let that get in the way of marketing and growing your business.

So start your day by doing at least one thing to market your business right off the bat. Write a thank you card to someone...Post comments on a few blogs...Call a client to see how they are...Or work on a new product or promotion for half an hour.

Whatever you do, by doing it first it won't get put off until tomorrow.

4)Automate It

This is another big one. Everything is much easier once you automate it. It's better to put in a few good hours up front getting something set up that runs on autopilot, versus making time to do the same tasks over and over (which never happens).

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to automate some of your marketing is by using an email autoresponder.

For about $20 a month, you can send out ezines and timed sequences of emails anytime someone signs up, registers or buys from you. That way you're always following up and staying in front of prospects and customers-without lifting a finger.

5)Outsource It

This one is my favorite! I LOVE outsourcing everything possible. Which is kinda funny, because I used to be a die-hard do-it-yourselfer. Plus, at one point I was the kiss of death when it came to finding good folks to outsource to.

But just like anything, a little information and a good bit of experience goes a long way. Besides, it just doesn't make sense to spend tons of time trying to figure something out when you could be making money or working on your business.

I know it can be hard to see where you can let go of the reigns. So here are a few simple guidelines:

First, if someone else can do something for way less than my hourly rate, I outsource it. Second, if I don't know how to do something technical or time-consuming, I outsource it. Finally, if something sits on my to-do list for more than 3 weeks, I outsource it.

If you're ready to get more marketing done than ever before, just follow these suggestions. Then enjoy watching the results roll in.

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Article Tags: business, coach, marketing



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