1. Talk To Other Entrepreneurs. Talk to them about how they started a marketing program. You are not the first person to do this. Others have gone before you and are usually willing to share their experiences. Lessons can be learned and costly mistakes avoided.

2. Don’t Get Overwhelmed. Acquire a basic understanding of marketing to avoid being overwhelmed and to help reduce the fear and anxiety that occur when you enter an unfamiliar area. Read books on marketing and take marketing courses. Become familiar with marketing terminology and activities.

3. Start Thinking Early. Begin the thinking process early, before you make any purchases or hire any marketing help. Waiting until you need to do marketing can be too late. Do as much advance work as possible. Research your target group, your competition, the potential of your ideas, and the services you’ll offer. Start the marketing process by determining who you are and what you are selling.

4. Set Realistic Expectations. Ask yourself if your expectations are realistic. Discuss this issue with your family or business associates to arrive at a set of expectations that they can endorse. In establishing a reasonable initial financial goal, consider a 10% increase in sales as a starting point, and remember to factor in additional costs for new marketing materials. Be prepared in case this goal takes longer to reach than you expected it to.

5. Be More Aggressive. Visit existing customers and prospects. Present new ideas and be objective, honest, and realistic about what you can do and who you are. Don’t promise too much. As mistakes are inevitable, it is useful to make them early and with smaller potential customers. Don’t take it personally if you are rejected. People may be reacting to the way you have presented your company, or they may not have a genuine need for your services. Either way, there is a valuable lesson to be learned.

6. Qualify Leads Carefully. Listen to what prospects are saying and not what you want them to say and be very realistic about their intentions. Many promising businesses have failed in their infancy because an entrepreneur thought a positive response to his or her idea meant money in the bank.

7. Develop Alliances. Join up with other small businesses that complement your products or services. They could provide much-needed leads and act as part of your support system.

Author: Eric Gilboord A2E