I have said for years in my business seminars that activity = sales, and sales = cash, and CASH = less stress and much HAPPINESS! Marketing and selling activity results in sales opportunities. These selling opportunities result in actual decisions being made to exchange their money for my products and services. When I take care of others, they naturally take care of me. The sale of these products and services creates cash flow in my business. This cash flow eases the pressure of the responsibilities to pay my bills. I CAN pay my bills. This euphoria of being able to pay my bills and meet all my expenses comes as a result of knowing that the wolf is being kept from the door. It all starts with activity. If there is no activity, there is no cash! The more the correct kind of activity the more cash is generated.

The key to a successful business marketing strategy is consistent business activity. I need to be consistently making telephone calls and asking permission of people if I may get my information into their hands. I need to be planting seeds (flyers, brochures, business cards, newsletters, emails, e-books) and in the most cost effective manner getting quality information into a prospective decision maker's hands on a daily basis. I need to be following up with those decision makers if they have any questions about my services on a daily basis. This is quality business activity! I need to be researching my prospective clients websites daily. I NEED to be asking more questions of my prospective clients.

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As a micro-business owner I need to get information about my company and it's products and services into the hands of a decision maker. It does not matter if I mail it or deliver it personally to the decision maker. I just know that it must get into their hands or they will not know that I even exist to help them with their business challenges.

I use both the Shotgun approach and the Rifle target approach. I both "scatter" my flyers, brochures, and newsletters all about. Plus, I target with "laser accuracy" in on very specific prospective customers and clients. This dual strategy has produced a very healthy return on my investment in printing and distribution costs. I would much rather invest in marketing than play the lottery. My odds are much greater investing every available dollar in my sales and marketing strategies.

We have produced a printed publication for over 25 years now that is distributed to hundreds of people at the first of each month. We produce a weekly e-newsletter that is sent on Monday mornings each week and have been doing so since the beginning of email. We have produced a podcast and posted over 50 some episodes on our website. This audio podcast is also posted on directories across the internet. This activity alone helped me capture the lead in search engine ranking. We have uploaded articles and blog postings to multiple small business sites across the internet. I have written my first book. We send out free e-books. We do all this activity in the name of marketing.

This is the kind of business activity that has kept my business alive and thriving for over 25 years and I expect for many years to come. Let me encourage you to Press On!