Change.

We’re entering a New Year and most of what you hear is about is…change.

People always make resolutions to do things different in their personal and professional lives. Some want to lose weight, get a better job or even start dating – whatever floats your boat.

Now of those who say they’re going to change, more than half will lose steam and quit before three months is up.

Why?

Is it because they don’t have the determination? They don’t have the time or energy? Sometimes these are factors of them throwing in the towel, but I see a larger reason.

They don’t’ sit down and plan with the right goals for the year.

Sure, you can SAY anything you want, but there’s a saying:

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

I am a firm believer in this and yes, I also am looking to make changes this year, but I’m defining my goals and I’m going to accomplish them for the year – in both my personal and professional life. At least from my own experience, not planning and putting things down (on paper, computer, whatever), puts in the negative from the very start.

For instance, you want to build a better business?

How do you go about doing that? Put together the strategy, tactics and timelines on what and how you’re going to accomplish that.

You want to post more content to your blog, newsletter and social networks?

Start working out an editorial calendar for each area and stick to it!

Once you get things put together, you have a framework to work from and starting making…change.

What are you planning for the year? How are you going to make it happen?

Related posts:

1. Time For a Change
2. How to Change Your Content Marketing With Halloween Candy
3. Happy New Year!

The majority of my professional network is online savvy and knows Internet marketing works. I mean we have all these cool things to get people to find us and using online stuff is the cool thing, right? Well, not all businesses think this way and I know there are a few, including some I’ve spoken with.

Now I know I may get some flames from those who say, “Any business can use Internet marketing!” or “You’re an idiot” or “Take out the trash!” Wait, not that last one, but yes, go with me on this and let’s see where this ride leads us.

Ok, so there’s SEO, social media, content marketing and all kinds of other things to get a business found and convert into qualified leads, right? Well, there are some businesses that don’t know what these are and I’ve talked to some that don’t want or even need it.

What do I mean?

Well, I spoke to a few the other day who rely on referrals and yellow page advertising and do very well for themselves. When I brought up online marketing and things like local search marketing, they said, “Thanks, but no thanks – we have no need for it and we have enough business now.” When I told them a few ways they could increase their leads, they weren’t interested.

They are not the only one, actually. From my perspective, it’s ok if you don’t want to join the online bandwagon, but I believe there are some questions to ask yourself before you turn your back on online marketing.

Don’t Turn Your Back Before You Ask These Questions

• Are my competitors using Internet marketing? Are they showing positive or negative results?
• Can I integrate Internet marketing techniques into my existing marketing strategies? How?
• How many resources and funds will it require to use both current and online marketing campaigns? Is it worth it?
• Do my current and potential customers use the Internet to find my products/services? Where do they go to look for what I offer?

If you can answer these questions truthfully and still find you don’t need or want to use Internet marketing, then go for it. If you do realize you could use some help with the “online thing,” then get to it or ask me for help – I don’t bite.

My point of this post is this: Not everyone knows about online and the wonderful things it brings business. It’s always better to include why and how it helps by asking these questions, without going into every shiny new online marketing tool or technique under the sun. Then, maybe more businesses will understand WHY Internet marketing is a good thing for them.

What’s your take on this? Do you use online marketing for your business or rely on things like referrals from local customers?

Photo credit: horiavarlan

Related posts:

1. Online Marketing – Different Is Better [Photo]

Related posts:

1. Content Marketing, Online Marketing Resources and a Special Offer!

With so many jumping on the bandwagon and investing time and/or funds into being more social, they’re forgetting a very important thing: never stop investing in what they own.

What do I mean by this?

In recent days, Google and Facebook have upped their battle strategies and each wants to be the best and grab as many people as possible. That’s fine and all, but would I send all my prospects to my Facebook page or only share content through Google+?

Nope and nope.

If you’re one of those who only believes in building up your social presence without a consistent build-up of your own stuff, I’m sorry, you may want to look at past events and learn from them.

For instance, remember some search engines before Google? What happened to Alta Vista or even the now up for sale Yahoo? Yep, someone came in and did it better.

What about MySpace? Yep, it’s still there, but do you think you’re target audience is only hanging out there? Maybe. Maybe not. It’s best to focus on people, not shiny things.

What I’m saying here is really simple: don’t put all your eggs in someone else’s basket. Using SEO and social media to boost lead generation and get yourself out there is great, but what would you do if someone new develops a better game? What if Google or Facebook went away?

When you’re looking at investing time and funds into another platform you don’t own, don’t forget your own stuff:

• Your website or blog (hosted on your domain and hosting)– keep it up with great content and resources that encourage prospects to go with you and not your competition
• Your mailing list – Provide a newsletter and other great content that educates and gets your subscribers to take action
• Your content – Keep it up with great content marketing and curation, but make sure you don’t just send out what everyone else does. Be original.
• Protect your stuff – Be sure to keep backups of your website/blog, mailing list and the content you create. This also goes for your conversations online – you never know who or what will decide you’re their next target.

Now, I’m not saying you should ignore all the different ways to get the word out or even use them to enhance the stuff you own, but don’t put all your eggs in someone else’s basket – they may want to make an omelet and then you’re the one that goes hungry.

Related posts:

1. Focus on People Before Shiny Toys