Word for week 43: Question
 
Meaning as noun:
1. a sentence in an interrogative form, addressed to someone in order to get information in reply.
2. a matter of some uncertainty or difficulty; a problem.
 
Insight: Comes from Mrs. Michelle Obama, who says: “Focus more on learning than on succeeding. Instead of pretending that you understand something when you don’t, just raise your hand, and ask a question.”

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So here’s a question…how does the word “question” fit into a database building strategy?
I can tell you, at every twist and turn!  Starting with the question: “What is database building?”
 
The briefest answer I can provide is: “It’s the system you use to build your client list.”
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Sounds pretty simple right? Old school methods (some still in use today) included business cards, telephone calls, flyers, and even door-to-door visits played a part in building your client list.
You’d take all of the information, whip out the paper and pens and spend hours trying to decipher various hand-written notes. Even later, when spreadsheets came on the scene, those who were not experts with excel had to hire an admin, or personally take on the challenging job of typing all of the information with accuracy and then managing it in ways that produced really useful results.       
 
We’ve moved ahead quite a bit, from the rather clumsy, time-consuming, uncertain methods of gathering and managing our client lists …so far ahead in fact, that the question I hear most often now is,
“How do I select a system that will help me build my client list?”
 
The answer of course starts with your individual business requirements, however, once you’ve identified your target audience, the tools we recommend are proven to help you attract more clients.

Most start-up and small business owners are short on time and money, so another question I get a lot is “How much is this going to cost me?”.  I like that question a lot because it costs nothing to learn more, a consultation is free, and it costs nothing to use the tools.
 
The final question I frequently hear is “Does it really work?”  To that question I’d point you to many of the clients we’ve assisted in growing their client list, but more importantly, if you’ll take an opportunity to chat with me, you’ll see very clearly, in just a few moments how well our guidance can work for your business or organization.
 
In the end, it is pretty simple after all …as an owner of a for-profit or the founder of a nonprofit, you need a system that will allow you to nurture your relationships, keep your audiences engaged, reach your target audience wherever they are, integrate with social media and provide you with the information you need to make better business decisions.   
 
Schedule a chat with me …get your questions answered,  and see how it all comes together, to help you grow your most valuable business asset…that’s your database!

Until next time … bye bye.

So what’s the take away from my story and how does this relate to Database Fitness?   
Using the right tools can often transform stressful situations into successful outcomes. Things change and we need to face those changes. Especially if you’re self-employed, using the right tools can lead to better outcomes.

Are you still using spreadsheet programs to maintain client information?
Are you using Gmail to follow up with clients? 
Are you feeling overwhelmed with scheduling communications to keep in contact with clients? 

If you believe you are doing your best to grow your business, and it seems like an uphill battle, then now may be the time to evaluate your tools and consider making a change.  There are more efficient and productive ways to build  relationships with prospective clients and maintain trust with existing  clients. 

Communication is crucial for client engagement with your business -- and engagement can lead to the greater revenue and business  growth that you seek.
 If you are struggling in what seems an up-hill battle to attract your ideal clients, let’s chat!

Database Fitness = Business Growth

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​It's a New Year and your business may be heading in a new direction. Is there a special topic you'd like to see covered in the DonPaul Marketing Newsletter? Please make a comment  below and we'll feature your question in an upcoming blog! 

Week 2 - Know Your Audience. Know Them Well. 
You need to know who your audience members are, what they like, and what problems they face. This shouldn’t be guesswork — research your audience to create a detailed target customer persona.
  
Whenever I meet a new business owner I ask them to describe their ideal client.  Whenever they start the description with “Anyone” or “Everyone” my heart sinks a little. There is no product in existence that’s suited for EVERYONE. There is no service in existence that will please ANYONE and EVERYONE. Even the very air we breathe, which is an essential element to EVERYONE, can cause problems for some.... depending on the geographical area.

​Creating a clear profile description for your target audience is an important step in growing your business.

It takes time, patience and care and sometimes it takes revisiting. 

It’s okay to get wrapped up in your own passion and it’s natural to be driven in your desire for success, however getting your message in front of the right people is imperative. Taking the time to research and reach out is well worth the effort, and learning to let go can be a benefit as well. 

The right tools play an important role in developing your ideal audience.

Putting a robust CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system in place can be a powerful and yet affordable asset for a small business owner. 

Your system can work for you 24/7 sifting and sorting, delivering and testing for the right people, and at the same time, your CRM system can politely keep informed those in the audience who may not quite fit your profile.

Best of all, your system will allow you to monitor your audience, identify those who are ideal and allow those who are not to quietly slip away with no bridges burnt in the process!

Whether you are just starting to build your audience or you have an established database that needs revitalization, we can show you some great steps to reach your goals.

If you are uncertain of the next steps to take, let's talk.