The #2 Reason Your Marketing Isn't Working

Last month I wrote about the #1 reason your marketing isn't working and I thought I'd continue on with that trend to see what else I could come up with...the #1 reason was 'the marketing doesn't matter without the right mindset'.

The #2 reason however is lack of having a plan; a big picture plan and vision that is. Planning is quite different these days when you're dealing with much more online or global business prospects and promotions.

Just because it's easier to reach your prospects and clients faster with email, social media and video doesn't mean you want to stop planning and just record something and send it out when you feel like it.

This is what I see business owners doing however more and more and frankly it's not getting most of them anywhere; they're not seeing results running this type of hap hazzard marketing strategy.

As the CEO of your small business (even home based or online business owner, yes you too), you need a big picture plan on 'what's next'. You always want to be thinking "what's next" or you'll stay stagnant and won't grow as fast because you aren't thinking far enough and planning far enough in advance.

If you are serious about building a 6 or 7+ figure business then you seriously need to sit down and develop a clear marketing action plan, big picture business vision, business operating systems and then figure out (ahead of time) how you (or your team) is going to implement that plan...because implementation is the KEY.

Here are a few examples of things you'll want to be planning for if you're serious about building your business next year:
How are you going to attract more clients
How are you following up with the ones you have
What do you need to learn more about
What kind of support team do you need to put in place
What opportunities are available to you now
What are your BIG IDEAS and how do you plan to implement/launch/sell them
Is your web presence currently able to support all that you need to do
Do you have enough streams of income in place or which to start
What is your system for getting support
How will you stay motivated
How will you invest in yourself; in which coach or mentor
What is your plan for self care and sooooo much more....

I hate to see it when small business owners have to go back and get a J.O.B. or struggle basically to survive trying to do what they love..yet they really have no idea what they're doing to grow their business. It's a shame that most entrepreneurs like this won't invest in their own learning or coaching so that they can learn what it takes to run a smooth-running, money-making business that they're passionate about.

We spend money to go to school, college or trade school to learn what it is we're supposed to 'do' for our life yet we won't invest in ourselves as entrepreneurs to learn what we need to do to more effectively run and grow our businesses.

That seems kind of silly to me??

My parents spent a ton of money on my formal business education and I had jobs that stemmed from that...but I was meant to be an entrepreneur not an employee. And everything I learned about running my business and being an entrepreneur I learned from other people in my field who were doing what I was doing and who were ahead of me and who taught me what to do specifically to accelerate my learning curve.

So, as the CEO of your business, I say it's time to take your business seriously and:
set up a big picture plan (get help if you need to to see what's possible)
set up systems and implementation strategy to put that plan into action
invest back in yourself and your business for continued learning and coaching
always think about 'what's next'
I hope this gives you some things to think about but just don't sit there and THINK about them, do something about them!

Remember, to get a plan in order to get a more specific and targeted approach to your marketing and business growth. It's often times hard to see what's possible for yourself however, we can only think as big as our minds have been conditioned to think.

What if there is more out there for you? What if there is an easier way to do what you're passionate about AND make more money?

You know in your gut if this is right for you. If working with me is YOUR next step so I encourage you to TAKE ACTION and step into your greatness, your purpose, live your passions, love more and make more money than you've ever dreamed.

JOIN ME this year to LIVE BIG!

My Live Big Mastermind offers two tiers of participation: Platinum and Platinum Plus. Go find out all the details at www.LiveBigMastermind.com now, but you'll want to hurry because there are a limited number of spots and filling very fast!


Meanwhile...I recommend you take advantage of my Free Biz Quiz; it's a quick questionnaire that gets you thinking about YOUR next steps. It's helpful for you to fill out in any stage of your business PLUS I respond to them personally and will set up a complimentary Getting Acquainted Session with anyone who fills this Quiz out!

Fill out the Biz Quiz at www.JumpStartYourMarketing.com/quiz now!


© Copyright 2009 K. Sawa Marketing International Inc.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Katrina Sawa is known as The JumpStart Your Biz Coach because she literally kicks her clients and their businesses into high gear. She works with highly motivated women entrepreneurs that want to maximize and fast-track their business to make more money and enjoy more free time. Katrina uses online and offline Relationship Marketing Systems & Strategies to leverage your resources, contacts and your expertise; plus she kicks you in the butt to implement it all too! Get her Free Entrepreneur's Success Kit online at http://www.JumpStartYourMarketing.com!