Self-Employed Service Professionals: Where Does Marketing Fall on Your Priority List?

When you're phone is ringing off the hook and your busy working with clients, the last thing you're probably thinking about is taking time out to market and promote your business. (Big mistake)!

In fact, the two big mistakes most self-employed professionals make with marketing include; not making time for it and not being consistent about it when they do finally start. Marketing is a marathon, not a 50 yard dash. The longer you wait to put an effective system in place, the longer that dreaded "clients/no clients" roller coaster ride will continue.

Think about it, if you don't drink until you feel thirsty, you're already dehydrated. Marketing is the same way. The time to start is not when you feel a thirst for new clients - it's NOW!

Not sure how to get started?

Here's 10 things that you can do RIGHT NOW:

1. First, take a look at your calendar and block off at least two hours a day for marketing time (yes, at LEAST that much time is needed).

2. Touch base with past clients just to say hello amd let them know you're thinking about them.

3. Sharpen your elevator pitch and marketing message so that you can clearly communicate the value your provide your clients.

4. Attend a networking event, meet new prospects and align yourself with other professionals.

5. Write an article on a topic that you're an expert at, or better yet, start your own monthly newsletter or ezine.

6. Take a marketing class, or hire a professional marketing advisor to help you implement an effective client generating system in place.

7. Write a press release about a new service you're offering, or a recent event that has taken place around you or your business.

8. Revisit your ideal client profile. Create a strategy for reaching these "ideal clients" in large numbers and on a consistent basis.

9. Repackage your existing services and update or create new services for your existing clients.

10. Put together a 12-month postcard campaign with each month having it's own "theme".