One of the biggest challenges many solo-professionals and small business owners face, is actually getting their marketing done. Marketing is usually the first thing to get put on the back burner, when business gets busy.

After all, if you're swamped with sales and clients, marketing isn't usually your top priority, right?

Well, actually, marketing should always be your top priority. It belongs right up there with servicing your clients.

Because if there are two things that will make your business successful for the long run, it's happy satisfied clients (they buy more and they refer their friends) AND a marketing system that continuously fills your business with new prospects.

So HOW do you stay on track with your marketing, when you get bogged down with running your business?

Here are 3 tips ...

Tip #1: Make sure you have a Marketing Plan.

When you have a marketing plan, you don't have to re-invent the wheel every time you need to implement a new marketing activity. All of the "heavy lifting" is done when you create your plan. This makes implementation much more efficient.

Tip #2: Create a Marketing Calendar

In my 10stepmarketing System, we create a marketing calendar where we map out all of our marketing activities for the year. This calendar becomes the roadmap for the year and is an easy way to stay on top of the marketing you've committed to.

Tip #3 : Schedule Time

Schedule time in your calendar, day-timer or PDA for all of your marketing activities, just like you schedule time to meet clients, pay bills, and go to the dentist.

By scheduling time, you MAKE your marketing a priority and eventually doing your marketing activities will become a part of the way you do business.

Your Marketing Step

Have you let your busy schedule, or an aversion to marketing let you get off track? If so, it's only a matter of time before your lack of marketing starts to have a negative impact on your business.

Take some time this week to create a marketing calendar. Then schedule time for your marketing activities, just like you schedule time for everything else in your business and daily life.

Abide by that schedule and I think you'll be amazed at how easy it is to stay on track! By the way, you can use this system in your life, too! 

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About the Author

Debbie LaChusa created The 10stepmarketing System to make marketing your own business as simple as answering 10 questions. Learn more about this unique, step-by-step system and get a free Marketing E-Course when you subscribe to the free, weekly 10stepmarketing Ezine