Already a month has gone by!  Thought I’d give you a moment or two to get settled into the new year before pouncing on you with new ideas!  It is important though to take account of our progress as we move ahead, so here are some excellent points to review.  You won’t find better advice anywhere on getting started, than this list offered by our partners and experts on Alignable:

2017 has the potential to be a refreshing new start for your business. Here are 5 easy-to-implement resolutions that cost only a little of your time, but each one can have a big impact on your success. Each resolution is an element of 'Success Thinking' by pulling you out of the day-to-day fires and letting you put your feet up and think about the overall health of your company.

• Print these out.
• Write them down.
• Review them once a month

If you want 2017 to be a turning point, here is your starting point:

Resolution #1: My business will treat everyone like a client, not a customer.
Customers are one time sales. You invest marketing, signage, sales training- but only collect money from customers. There is no relationship. After a customer goes, you sweat whether another will come in.
Clients, a term that originated in the legal and accounting industries, refers to a lifetime relationship where the individual comes under your professional care. Clients form the basis for a thriving business. Customers may never be seen again.
Control the future of your business with a mindset that you will treat anyone who buys like a client.

Resolution #2: I will understand Client Lifetime Value (CLV) and make decisions based on that.
Client Lifetime Value can drive more decisions, give perspective, measure profitability simply, and forecast the future easily. It is the value of a client who, through a nurturing relationship, stays with you for multiple sales over multiple years.
Use a client's average sale per year and multiply it by the average number of years they stay with you. Now use this decision to budget for more new clients based on the cost per lead sold- #3 on the list!

Resolution #3: I will compute 'Cost per Lead-Sold' and use it in decision making and budgeting.
Knowing how much $ is invested to get, not just a lead, but a lead that converts to a client, is very critical. If you are investing more than you get back from any media, it's time to re-evaluate. The first step at looking at marketing effectiveness is computing the cost per lead sold.

Resolution #4: I will not be a media lemming.
Don't follow the crowd over the cliff following the latest media shiny object. Just because 'everyone else is doing it' doesn't mean it makes sense for your business. If three new types of social media spring up this year, don't be distracted until you have measured every media you already use to determine the ROI.

• Don't be deceived by 'free' media. Nothing is free. Count any time you work on social media into the ROI computation.
• Don't buy media from people coming into your business. Anyone arriving at your doorstep with a proven solution is only thinking of themselves, not you. Unless they ask 10 specific questions before they talk about their offer, they are just another media salesperson. Don't fall for it.
  

Resolution #5: I will consider current and past clients in my marketing.
There is an entire market of proven buyers sitting in your files and client lists. While everyone else is chasing new customers, you should train, educate, and sell your existing clients!
Instead of constantly chasing new customers, have a special sales or event for those you already have! Their cost to acquire is zero- you already have them. And many feel slighted when you treat new customers better. Or ignore them completely. They can be a rich source of revenue and profit, too.
These are not 'lose 50lbs in 8 days' resolutions. You CAN implement these easily. And the results will be surprising.

Contributions from: Mark Mehling, Owner - Take Control Marketing
Thanks to MktgStudyGuide

You are an artist, a stylist....you are talented, you are filled with creativity and there is no end to your abilities as a cosmetologist …but you are not a photographer. Images can cost a bundle ...and you are working with a small business budget.  What are your options?

You already know images are the beacon to your business. It's the photos that call out to a potential client..."Come to me...I can give you the look of your dreams!"

You are always taking photos of your work.  All you need to do is make a few adjustments to make your efforts pay off in multiple ways!  The results will be that your images will look more professional, your clients will be happier and your potential clients will get more of the message  ...and be more likely to schedule a consultation with you!

Nothing can take the place of professional photography, but here are a few tips that can make your photos look better and until you have the bucks to call in a professional!

A final word...Nothing can beat a professional photographer, so save your tips and hire one! Of course there's a lot involved, but it can be worth it because photos are forever.

Don't overlook:
Asking the brides or clients who are attending special occasions/events to take a special photo just for you.

Making deals with photographs (Just so all is equitable for everyone involved) 

When a client's photo turns out especially well, remember to reward them...maybe a free conditioning or a discount?

We got more ways to help you improve your photo taking skills! Just connect with me for a complimentary consultation at a time that's convenient for you!

If you treat your business like a business, it will pay you like a business should. If you treat it like a hobby, it will cost you, because typically, hobbies do not pay.

If you are looking for success, you either commit to your business or you don’t. There is no middle of the road.

If you choose to commit yourself and your resources to developing your personal training business,
learn to stay consistent, to use the best tools possible, and to take your business seriously. The end result will be both professionally and personally rewarding.

7 Signs You’re Treating Your Business Like a Hobby

1. The Problem: You have an email address that ends with @gmail.com or @comcast.net or @yahoo.com, or any other free email service provider.

The Fix: These services are just fine, but they do bring professionalism to your business. Purchase a domain with your business name or your personal name and get a new email address with that domain. If you already have a domain of your own and you just don’t know how to set up the business email, there are several options…start with company from which you purchased your domain…or connect here and we'll get it sorted out.

2. The Problem:  You have not incorporated or even created an LLC.

The Fix:  Incorporate or set up an LLC so that you legally separate your business from your personal finances. Don’t risk losing your home, property and life style in a liability suit You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on legal fees. Just go to legalzoom.com or BizFilings.com for a fast easy and affordable process. You may have other questions or concerns so connect with right resources  and let’s get you started on incorporating your business.

3. The Problem:  You do not have a business bank account for your business.

The Fix:  Open a BUSINESS bank account. There may be a small monthly fee associated with this, but you’re going to need a place to deposit all that money you’ll be earning! Most banks do not charge a fee if a minimum balance is maintained.  

4. The Problem:  You don’t pay yourself a salary and you’ve been in business for more than two years.

The Fix:  Follow IRS standards and pay yourself a regular salary. This is a frightening yet profoundly empowering move.  Once you start paying yourself regularly, you’ll realize how it makes you act differently: You make different decisions in your business because you are always thinking about how you will be able to pay your salary next month. It really puts a fuel under the fire.

5. The Problem:  You see your business as a part of your host agency, so you don’t have a separate website and have not established a different name.

The Fix:  If you’re an independent contractor, it’s also time to realize that your host agency is not your employer. You must act like a business owner by getting yourself a different name and marketing yourself and your business separately. If the host agency wants you to sign a contract to place your business “on the down-low”, start looking for a new relationship, don’t allow your business to take a back seat. If you are looking for ways to build contract relationships with agencies connect here  to get a list of some real resources.

6.  The Problem: You don’t have a separate phone number for your business.

The Fix: Use a phone number that's dedicated to your business.  Do you answer the phone? "Hello"?  How professional is that?  When your business has it's own phone number,  you can answer with a professional phrase like "Good afternoon, this is Paulette, May I hep you?"

7.  The Problem: You do no marketing activities on a regular and consistent basis.

The Fix: Finally, commit to doing one single marketing activity on a regular and consistent basis. Try electronic newsletters and blogging , but if you want to choose something else, that’s fine. Just decide on something, commit to it and do it. Take action.

Your assignment? Go through each and every item on the list and make a point of correcting it before this year is over. It’s time to take your business seriously – I promise you’ll profit from it.

From: Meredith Hill is founder and CEO of the Global Institute for Travel Entrepreneurs (GIFTE).
GIFTE helps travel professionals monetize their passion for travel so they can go from surviving to thriving.

  If you can answer "yes" to at least some of the above questions, then it could well be worth delegating this job.  Get the full story on the best ways to use delegation from the Mind Tools Website!

There you’ll get some “mind blowing” tips on:

• The Who and How of Delegating
• To Whom Should You Delegate
• How You Should Delegate
• Keeping Control
• The Importance of Full Acceptance

When you learn how to arrange your workload so that you are working on the tasks that have the highest priority for you, and allow other people to work on meaningful, challenging and related tasks, you have a recipe for success.

To delegate effectively, choose the right tasks to delegate, identify the right people to delegate to, and delegate in the right way. There's a lot to this, but you'll achieve so much more once you're delegating effectively!

To help pull it all together, use the Delegation Worksheet provided by Mind Tools

We’re looking for individuals to help support our growth.

Designing a fitness plan for your database is a lot like designing a fitness plan for your body!

Thus far you've made your commitment (Step #1), assessed your database, (Step #2) and now it's on to Step 3: Designing your fitness program....

When your body needs a tune up...It's easy to say that you'll take action, but words are just talk.  To get your body fit you'll need to take action.  It's the very same with database fitness; it's only going to happen when you have a plan in place and put that plan into action. Here are some points to ponder:

• Consider the goals you want to accomplish with your database. What is your motivation? Are you putting a desire for sales ahead of a desire to build relationships? Having clear and concise goals to get to know your target market is a primary step towards overall success.  In this arena...you can not "fake it until you make it". If you have a sincere desire, product, or service and a true commitment to help others find solutions to their problems, success becomes you!
  
• Create a sensible routine. Be real....there are only 24-hours in any given day and most small business owners are “wearing many different hats” ……a job done by several people in a large corperation is typically done by one, in a small business.  Add to that family and life situations ...for many even another full time job ....and what's left?  When you take on a new physical fitness program, you must set aside time to visit the gym or some period to exercise....everyone knows those TV commercials that promise fitness with no exercise is simply not true!   Use your assessment list from Step 2 to determine how much time you'll need to devote to marketing, promoting and managing your database.  If you think 15 mins a day will be enough…then you must have an excellent admin staff...because that's about the amount of time it will take to TELL them what you need done.  If you are doing it yourself, you probably need to revise your thought process.
• Go at your own pace, but be consistent. If you're just beginning to get your body fit after years of being dormant, I'll bet 5 mins of vigorous exercise will send you crawling to the pharmacy for an ice-bag...or a heat wrap....and you probably continue that exercise !!  Growing your database from a few contacts to hundreds or thousands (of quality contacts)  can be very painful (in the money and time you can squander) and there too you can become discouraged and lose momentum. Steady build wins the race.  Look carefully at EVERY opportunity, everyday to build relationships with your target audience.... and then celebrate your database growth. Celebrate it as you would a successful outcome to your weigh-in!
  

• Allow time for follow-up and analysis. It's been well documented that seven or more "taps" may be required before a potential client will take action or convert into an active client.  The time it takes to stay in touch and "tap" into members of your audience may take you beyond the scope of time that you set aside in your regular daily routine.  Depending on your product or service, some follow-ups may require a face-to-face meeting, but in today's communication arena, an on-line meeting or a conference call can be very productive as well.  Similar to the options you may have in the physical fitness arena, you may decide to visit the gym or just use a Wii to stay in shape....the key is to do it and do it again until you see positive results.  Schedule a Database Fitness Consultation with me and we'll plan the best plan for you to continuously "tap" your audience on the shoulder ....without becoming a nuisance!  To be sure of your progress, your system should allow you a method to analyze your activity. We'll talk more about that in Step #4....
  
• Put it on paper. If it’s not written, then it’s not real.  Nuff' said.

Database fitness is a key element in growing your business. Especially in the B2B world, the big companies understand the importance of having a data management plan; but the small businesses and solopreneurs feel over-whelmed and under-budget when they even try to do it. Review this article from Marketing Professionals on what the large companies are being directed to do to maintain a healthy database …..
and then connect with me to see how you can do it too ….even on a challenged budget!

Are you looking for ways to make your 2013 holiday debt go away? How about making 2014 more successful?   Consider the impact mobile technology is having on our world and then consider taking an active role in bringing mobility in communication to the business and private sectors!  Consider becoming a Mobile Application Sales Agents.  Visit my site and learn more....then connect with me and I'll get you started in a flash!  www.DonPaul.com/reps

Saturday Dec 21st on GMAP1 Internet radio with Ms Marcella Hardin  10am Central and 11am Eastern for the Saturday Morning Coffee Club.  Marcella will be interviewing Paulette Smith, owner of DonPaul Enterprises about strategies to help keep small businesses online, on-target and on-budget.

Marcella is the Promotional Manager of Product Sales at MAHA542 Studio Inc. and On Time TV in the Greater Chicago Area  and she broadcasts weekly on GMAP1.com. She is also Editor / Small Business Consultant at Chicagowest Advertising with extensive knowledge and experience in all things related to business ...and gives generously of her time to mentor and support growing businesses.
TUNE IN: - www.gmap1.com
Saturday Dec 21st  11am Eastern




Check out Marcella on LinkedIn 



 

Connect with me for a private consultation… and we can discuss what works better for your business!

Paulette Smith
Solutions@DonPaul.com
www.donpaul.com
Talk/Text 240-463-5136