Are you headed for success?

(This post was originally published in October 2009 and was updated with new content!)

If a media mogul, with a net worth of half a ba-jillion dollars, offered to share his or her secrets of their success, would you listen? I don’t know about you, but I’d be willing to listen and learn from any media mogul who wanted to share anything with me!

The wisdom, knowledge, and understanding you could gain from that person would definitely be worth paying for. However, there is one requirement to gaining access to this free knowledge, you have to sign-up for their newsletter and share it with all your friends. Would you do it?

I think the majority of you would because you want to take your business to the next level. That’s the place where opportunities come to you instead of you having to knock on doors to find them. That’s where success, prosperity, and the freedom to live your life the way you want is. How do you get there?

You Have to Make Strategic Marketing Moves

Getting the word out about your blog, website, business, products, or services is key to business growth. People won’t know who you are if you don’t tell them. Common sense right? Yet, the Small Business Administration says;

[In 2008] There were 627,200 new businesses, with 595,600 business closures, and 43,546 bankruptcies.

As an entrepreneur I have to believe that one of the primary reasons for all the closures and bankruptcies has  to do with their marketing plans. I can’t help but wonder, “how did they spend their advertising dollars?” Did they do what typical businesses do and overspend on print marketing and TV spots? Sure, the economy did make things harder for entrepreneurs . . . but not impossible. That’s why you have to make strategic marketing moves to position yourself for success.

Want to know the greatest marketing secret ever? You’ll be surprised along with some ways to maximize the technique.

So, what are the secrets to growing your small business?

1. Maximize tools, resources, and information that you already have

If you have a laptop, a mobile phone, and a car then you’ve got an office. Don’t limit your thinking to what you don’t have because God equipped you with everything you need to succeed. If there’s a piece of equipment that’s a “gotta have,” then continue to work with what you have until you can afford it.

Resource: 5 Free Ways to Market Your Business

2. Build relationships with prospects and create clients for life

Don’t go for the quick sale. Take the time to get to know people, what they want, and what they need. Doing so positions you to generate long-term sales and success. Not doing that makes you sound like a pushy used car salesman . . . and no one wants to buy from that guy.

Want my best advice on building relationships? Check out 10 Ways to Build Relationships and Keep Clients for Life

3. Brand your company and distribute a unique message that declares who you are and what you’re about

What company comes to mind when you hear “We love to see you smile?” What about, “Just do it?” These are themes associated with company brands. You can have that same power but it doesn’t come over night. It’s something you have to build piece by piece consistently. When I went to Social Camp Memphis this year there were people who knew who I was before I said anything to them. That’s the power of personal branding. Make it work for you!

Resources: Check out How to Use Social Media to Build Your Brand Locally and listen to my show Personal Branding 101 with Ronald Wilsher

4. Leverage social media and traditional marketing in a way that yields real results

A real result is one that makes a physical impact on your local market. If you can network on Twitter and as a result create relationships that leads to business in your city then you’ve got yourself a real result. Whether you like it or not, social media isn’t a fad and it’s not going away anytime soon. Are you leveraging it to make real results for your business?

Resources: You’ll enjoy my post, The Recipe for Social Media Sales Success – in it I share how social media marketing can help you make real dollars and cents. Also, take a look at 35 Keys to Social Media Success by Chris Brogan. Chris shares some valuable info for entrepreneurs who are venturing into social media marketing.

The Bottom Line

You have to build your business with these four walls in order for it to grow and succeed. A tool that can help you build your business and take it to the next level is my newsletter, “Success Tips!”.  I mail out tips and advice on marketing and growing your business. If the Success Center is a grand buffet then “Success Tips!” is a plate full of meat that promotes strong business muscles. Each edition builds on one of the four walls of business success above. Don’t take my word for it, look at what others have to say about it;

What Should You Do Next?

So, you’re all stirred up and ready to take your blog, business, product, or service to the next level. . .now what? Remember the ba-jillionaire’s requirements for gaining access to his free knowledge at the beginning? The process is as simple as 1, 2, and 3.

Step 1 - Sign-up
Enter your email address below. I hate spam as much as you do so I WILL NEVER sell, rent, or abuse your contact information. Once you’ve signed up, check your email in-box for my welcome letter and be sure to add rodsuccesscenter (at) gmail.com to your safe list.

Note: You can read through the newsletter archives to catch-up on past editions. You’ll find tons of solid advice that will help you market your business.

Sign up for Success Tips!

Step 2 - Share
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Step 3 – Subscribe
The Success Center is a grand buffet chocked full of information and knowledge on being successful in many different areas of your life and entrepreneurship. You don’t have to sit down and eat it all at once . . . feel free to stay up-to-date on new dishes by subscribing to the RSS feed or via email. I’m proud to say that this blog is updated at least 4 days a week so there’s always something new here.

Your two cents

What else creates a strong business and promotes success? What are you doing to promote growth for yours or what tips have you learned from others? I would love to hear you thoughts in the comments section below.

Disclaimer: We will never share your email address with anyone, period.