'via Blog this'
Companies and businesses don't become successful without a plan - and a lot of work!
To start up or re-energize your business with a complete plan in place you'll first want to consider and understand some of the biggest and different working parts of a good strategic plan. * keep in mind, these are just a few of the ingredients.
1). A Great Web Visibility. One that includes internet saturation with excellent content and offers people real information. Remember, this is only a part of your over-all plan. I see so many people who bought a website 10 years ago and have not touched it since. You can now find it at the bottom of the 14 trillion-th Google search page!
2). A Social Media Campaign. This term is so over used now that it almost made me ill to type it out! :) But, if you're going to be in business in 2012, this is a must! I've battled so many established business owners on this one. Fear NOT Facebook!! (and all the rest) the research has been done, the numbers are in and if you're not using social media venues at this point, you're out of the game. However if you're going to attempt this on your own, please remember a few basic rules; Be engaging and useful to readers and subscribers. Don't over post or over boast. and remember this is just another part of your plan - not your entire plan!
Lets take a moment to consider another vitally important part of a great plan; Community, social functions and local charity events (volunteering in your community).
3). A Community Presents.
My fear for Main Street is that the above mentioned "social media" is taking place of their actual visibility out in the communities they live and work in. Since we're talking "social" lets talk -- socially...are you really out and active in your own community? Do people know you and what you do? For a small business owner or professional, there's not much more frustrating and disappointing than to be talking with someone that you've known for a long time, maybe someone your kid goes to school with or maybe it's a neighbor and they say to you, "I just had to call out a plumber to fix all my broken pipes!"... and you're standing there thinking, 'really? I'm a plumber!...why didn't you call me?'... but you already know the answer. They either forgot or they didn't know; and either way, it's your own fault. You got a big fat 'F' at marketing yourself or your business among your own sphere of influence.
So another part of your plan should be to be engaged in your own community! Everyone benefits!
But, please, don't just jump into the first thing that comes up, that's NOT a good plan! Think things through. What are you passionate about? What will both make you feel good about what you've just spent time on and expose you to a larger sphere for your business? Maybe you're the owner of a local pet grooming store. The local animal shelter or rescue group would probably be a great fit. Or perhaps you own a hardware store or you're a construction contractor, consider Habitat for Humanity. Or maybe you have children in school, there are a number of booster clubs, PTA's and so forth for you to get involved with.....you get the point, right?
Sadly, too many small business people fail to see the massive return on this investment of time. A 'What does it do for me?' attitude. Just to name a couple of things;
1) It gives you the opportunity to connect and network with other professionals and businesses in your own community. 2) It allows others a personal look at the way you conduct yourself, to show yourself as a person of character and integrity, who cares about their community. It gives people a real connection to you which will in-turn, make them remember to call you and refer you in the future.
I'll have a lot more on this subject in an upcoming blog...please stay tuned :)
Go and be great at what you do!
Sharon @ MainStreet Marketing Boutique
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