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What targets should I be setting for my marketing?

Guest post by: Helen Dowling

Article Overview: I know in my own business that I ALWAYS do better each month if I set some targets for my marketing. If I’ve got goals to aim for, I know where I am and I can try to achieve them.

What targets should I be setting for my marketing?

I know in my own business that I ALWAYS do better each month if I set some targets for my marketing. If I've got goals to aim for, I know where I am and I can try to achieve them. So my targets for this month for instance are:

• 1 x meeting in the diary every week

• 1 x new client every week

• 1 x networking event every week

Because I'm clear on what I'm striving to achieve, I can aim for these and know whether I've done them.

To put some meat around the bones on these targets, one meeting each week is with a potential customer - someone who is looking to use our services. This can be over the phone or face to face - it doesn't really matter. These meetings can also be with past customers too. So for instance this week, I have had a phone meeting with a past potential client and a meeting with a past customer.

One new client each week means a client who is willing to give us more work. This could either be a new client, an existing one who wants to give us more business or a past client who wants to come back on board with us.

One networking event every week is pretty self explanatory really. But for me, this isn't only about going along to the event; it's also about making sure that you follow up after each networking event too as that's where the power of networking is.

As well as these main targets, I also have goals in place that are going to help me to achieve these targets. So other things that I do are things like:

• To follow-up with 2 x potential clients by email or phone each day

• To post 6 social networking posts per day

• Send out at least one piece of email marketing per week

• Contact 5 x past clients each week

And so on...

If I'm trying to achieve the goals that I've set for myself each month then I'm going to do whatever I need to, to get there and these small goals help keep me on track and make sure I'm heading in the right direction.

Just in case that wasn't enough, I also usually work on a project each month too - so for this month, it's our programme on Emails that Sell.

Because I find working on a project hard work usually, I keep myself motivated with this writing about how it's going on our membership site. This helps members as it gives them an insight into how I work and what's going on within my business and it makes sure that I actually do something on my project each week so I've got something to write about!

So, what targets should you be setting for your own marketing?

Well I would suggest setting firm targets and goals about what you'd like to achieve within your business. If your focus is on getting more sales, your targets should focus on helping you to achieve this objective. If your focus on the other hand is about getting something like your website up and running, then you need to set small targets around this.

If you're not currently setting targets and goals for your business, try it and see whether it makes a difference for you.

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Article Tags: exceptional thinking, focus, helen dowling, marketing, setting targets, small business, targets



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Re: Alexa Ranking Goals - Well done Michelle! If you keep up your current momentum you should be able to get below 200,000 by the end of the year. @Trent, your input on Alexa is always welcome and I think your analysis is correct. As GT says, setting Alexa targets - and stating them publicly - is a good way to keep us working in the right direction.
Re: Ineffective marketing ideas - What is he doing in front of a library selling Rats? This is marketing to the wrong targets
Re: Did you reach your goal this year? - I did a bit better than 1/10, but I missed a lot of targets.
Re: Social media question - Hi Rachel, I'm a member and active user of both Twitter and Facebook, but more so of Facebook. Yes, there is a lot of power between the two when used correctly. The nice thing is that you can link the two by having your Twitter tweets show up on your status updates on Facebook. This alone is powerful as my tweets get responses from my Facebook friends, who are potential business partners or clients. One thing with Facebook is setting up a group about you, your product, or your business. As you build up targeted friends you can invite them to your group and build a reputation for yourself. This is kind of the same angle you want to use with Twitter as you tweet about your niche. Another aspect of using Twitter and Facebook is setting them up to automatically post a link and description of your blog posts. As others have mentioned, you should set up a blog and post content relative to your niche. As you can see by setting both sites up like this, part of your marketing efforts are on autopilot. This is just a small example of what's possible, and do read over the other suggestions that you were given because they are great as well. Hope that helps and best wishes, Alan
Word of Mouth - Word of Mouth marketing by its very nature takes time. You need to develop relationships before people will refer you. Why not boost it a little by making a few partnerships? You could partner with a gym or put on seminars. Think who else targets the same people and how you can work with them and help them. You can also write articles and become and expert in your field - put them online, write a column for a community paper on health, etc. Even a door to door flyer drop with a simple one pager can help drive some clients. Good luck!


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