Getting Help to Make It Happen

By using this program, you are going to add a new level of focus, strategy, and structure to your marketing that will substantially increase your likelihood of success. But you can stack the odds even more in your favor by adding some outside help. Here are some of the additional aids that can make your sales and marketing efforts more effective and less stressful:

Accountability. Have someone other than yourself to who you are accountable—someone who will ask you once or twice a week what you have done so far, and what’s next.

Perspective. Get a different point of view on your progress or your challenges. Just hearing your problem restated by another person can give you insight that will help you find a solution. When you are feeling low because you haven’t reached your goal yet, it’s also great to have someone point out that you are more than halfway there.

Support. It’s helpful to have someone else to complain to or celebrate out loud with, someone who cares about your progress. If you are up against a roadblock, grousing about it for a few minutes may be all you need to get back into action. And having someone to share your success with can make it much sweeter.

You could use your spouse, best friend, or business partner to provide this extra help, but the individuals closest to you may not be the best choice. The people in your personal life will not always be thrilled that you plan to spend more time on marketing, and your business associates may tend to sidetrack you with immediate problems or day-to-day management tasks. You may find it more helpful to look for accountability, perspective, and support from someone with more detachment, yet who clearly understands the importance you are placing this month on achieving your marketing goals. The best way to get this extra advantage is from a business buddy, action group, or business coach.

A business buddy is a friend or colleague who also wants help to get into action and stay on track. The two of you assist each other in reaching your goals by setting up a regular check-in, with each of you reporting on progress, announcing successes, stating challenges, and committing to next steps. The buddy’s job is to listen, celebrate, commiserate, ask clarifying questions, and be a brainstorming partner.

Action groups serve the same function for a group of people who wish to work together. You may be able to find an existing group with a business or marketing focus (sometimes called success teams or mastermind groups) through local business organizations, or by networking online. If you would like to be part of a group whose members are all using the Get Clients Now! program, you can find a group to join via the book’s companion website, www.getclientsnow.com. Some groups have a professional leader, while others have each member take turns leading.

You can also hire your own business coach, a professional who is trained in assisting businesspeople to achieve goals and increase their effectiveness. Some coaches specialize in working with entrepreneurs or sales and marketing issues. They may call themselves business coaches, marketing coaches, or sales coaches. You might also choose to work with a life coach, executive coach, or success coach. Ask your friends and colleagues if they have worked with a coach to who they could refer you, or get a list of coaches familiar with this program from the Get Clients Now! website.

Keep in mind that support from a buddy, group, or coach does not have to involve in-person meetings and travel time. Many groups meet via telephone conference lines or live online chats, and your buddy or coach can work with you by phone or e-mail.