New Year's Resolution! - Feature Article

New Year's Resolution!
By Brooke Long

One of the hardest things to commit to in the New Year is marketing your business. And in that realm one of the toughest to get a handle on is your web site. People always say they are going to start their web site, or complete their site, etc. What your goals are could be endless - but marketing is extremely important. You must keep your name and what you do in front of your clients and prospects on a continuous basis - especially when you are busy - to bring in business. Ignoring your marketing when busy will result in a yo-yo cycle of business. Having a web site is just one form of marketing your business, but it is one that can reach more people than many other marketing methods. Some possible New Year's Resolutions for your business:

#1 - Start/Finish a Web Site

Some businesses need to sell on the web, some need to provide information, some just need an online brochure, and the list goes on. Having a web site is important, but you already know that. So how do I start/finish my site? There is one basic component:

Have a timeline

Follow it

Work with your web designer to find out all of the elements, when they are needed and in what order. With that information the two of you can put together a timeline that you both can follow. It seems elementary doesn't it? However, this is the most difficult thing to do - and it is the most important.

#2 - Start an E-Newsletter

You already have a web site and are keeping it current for your customers and prospects. What else can you do to keep your product or service foremost in their minds? An E-Newsletter containing helpful or informative content that you send on a regular basis to your contacts is a great way to accomplish this.

These are just a couple of ideas for marketing your small business in 2004. These are both relatively easy ways to consistently market your business when you are busy and when your workload is light. Don't forget - between all the typical exercise, weight loss, and stop smoking type of resolutions - commit to something that will benefit your business.