It’s Okay to Be Yourself

Joan Friedlander, www.joanfriedlander.com

“Many times, the first draft of a marketing action plan reflects all the false conceptions of what a person thinks they need to do in order to succeed at marketing,” relates Joan Friedlander, a business life management coach who has facilitated more than 50 Get Clients Now! programs. “I love that moment when people figure this out and start coming up with plans that reflect who they are, and what they really like to do. They’re much more successful, and happier, too.” She explains,

There are probably 100 different marketing tactics that you could choose from. You are not going to be excellent at executing all of them. Do yourself a huge favor and choose only those action items that you can actually see yourself doing.

Are you most comfortable connecting with prospects one-on-one? Go to meetings and events where you are likely to meet prospects or referral partners. Then, rather than trying to land a client in that noisy environment, invite people you want to get to know better to have coffee with you instead.

Do you hate cold calling? Don’t put it on your plan. Instead, build your Daily Actions around warm calling and referral building. A client I worked with made this one simple change and completely altered his results—as well as his feelings—about marketing.

The only thing you’re required to become good at is talking to people so they can understand what you offer and that you can help them. This takes just two things from you: time and practice. It’s okay to start right where you are.