Back in January, I started reading Get Clients Now! A 28-Day Marketing Program for Professionals, Consultants, and Coaches by C.J. Hayden.

This book walks you through creating a 28 Day Marketing Program to help promote your business. It’s particularly aimed at service based businesses, but I’m sure the techniques could be adapted to those selling products as well.

With a title like that, the book instantly caught my attention. That and the rave reviews I saw on Amazon. (Yes, that’s an affiliate link above… if you plan to buy the book anyway, I hope you’ll help a girl out by clicking the link, LOL)

From the first few pages, I was very excited to get started with the 28 day program. I believe I share a lot in common with many small business owners -we love what we do, but we are designers or writers or [insert job title here]… not necessarily marketing specialists!

As a small business owner, though, you end up wearing many different hats – including that of a sales man (or woman).

The Universal Marketing Cycle: A Brief Overview…

Get Clients Now! focuses on the four stages of the Universal Marketing Cycle:

• Filling the Pipeline
• Following Up
• Getting Presentations
• Closing Sales

C.J. Hayden explains the strategies and ingredients necessary for improving your performance on the stages above. As part of the 28 day cycle, you are able to put together your own program, selecting the specific ingredients, techniques and daily actions that appeal to you.

The Importance of Self-Promotion

I’ve found this to be a very motivational book, and I can honestly say that I have accomplished a LOT because of it. I’ve completed several success ingredients, and have been networking through this blog and other social media. I’ve met a lot of great people, and formed relationships that I never would have if not for this book.

Some of the contacts I’ve made through the networking suggestions in the book have turned into qualified leads, too (and that is the point of the book, after all…)

Now, I love the concept of the 28 Day program… BUT – and there’s always a “but” – I’ve started 3 programs so far, and I have yet to actually complete one!

Although I always hit the ground running, I end up slacking off before reaching the final week (or two). I hope that doesn’t reflect poorly on the book itself, it’s just the side of me who ends up putting clients first, before my own business.

Avoid the Feast or Famine Cycle

Unfortunately, this throws me right into the vicious cycle of feast vs famine.

In other words, when business is slow, I market like crazy, which is great! But when things pick up and I’m juggling several clients at once, I feel I “don’t have time” for marketing.

This is most certainly NOT the smartest approach to take – because although you will not notice it during the busy times, you will most definitely feel the consequences “next month” when the work you were doing is finished, and there are no new clients on the horizon.

It’s important to keep planting those seeds, so you have a steady stream of work sprouting up.

Enter a NEW Month… and a NEW 28 Day Program!

So, this post is all about creating some accountability for myself. This time will be different, as I’ll be posting weekly updates right here.

Nothing like putting it all out in the open to help make you accountable!

Care to Join Me?

I’m planning on starting a new program very soon – a little over a week from now, on Saturday, May 17th.

The book suggests starting the program on a Saturday, but otherwise you have weekends “off” while you do the majority of your program tasks during the work-week. Of course, if your schedule is different, you can easily re-arrange the dates to better suit you. Point is… it’s 28 days of marketing and self-promotion.

You can’t go wrong there!

A Book Club, of Sorts…

I’d love to open this up to anyone else who has the book; have been planning on getting the book; have never heard of the book, but your interest is now peaked… well, you get the idea, right?

I’ll be posting weekly updates as I go through the program. It might not all make sense to you if you don’t have Get Clients Now! but you can get a general idea of what to expect if you do eventually want to try it for yourself.

Are You In?

So, if you want to participate, please make a comment below or post on your blog, etc. It would be great to have a group of people to help hold each other accountable. What’s there to loose – your business could (and likely will) benefit from it!

For those of you joining in on the fun, you can download the FREE marketing plan worksheets from the Get Clients Now web site.

Have You Already Completed A (Several) Program(s)?

I’d love to hear your thoughts… Has it worked for you?

Do you have any suggestions?

BTW, like Naomi’s recent small business game post…

…this is NOT a meme! LOL

Read More Posts In This Series

• View All Posts Tagged with “Get Clients Now!”

Last week, Naomi over at Itty Biz posed a thoughtful question to her readers: Let’s Play a Game – What’s Your Home Business?

Some might call this a meme, but she doesen’t specifically call anyone out to answer, so it’s NOT a meme, LOL.

Not as Obvious as You Think…

Naomi received a question from one of her regular readers, asking what she actually does for a living.

“So what do you actually do for a living?”

This can be somewhat shocking to hear that a regular reader doesn’t quite understand what you do… If a regular reader doesn’t get it – how are new visitors you your site or blog supposed to know?

Enter the What’s Your Home Business Game! Naomi posted several questions that will help clarify exactly what it is that you do for a living. Sounds like a fun and completely useful game. It’s my turn now, so here goes…

A good friend of mine recently decided to start-up her own business, and asked me if there were any web sites or blogs that I recommend she read.

I’m currently subscribed to approximately 40 blogs relating to small business, blogging, marketing, etc. Although I love them all, some are more highly regarded as great resources on these topics.

The cream of the crop so to speak…

Now, this isn’t a definitive list, as it’s all subject to personal opinion, if you know what I mean. There are obviously a LOT more blogs than the ones listed below, and many of these actually cross-over between different categories – although I did attempt to place them in the most applicable spot…

Anyway, these are the blogs that I personally refer to the most. Whether it is to read the latest post, or search through the archives for something specific, you can often find me on these sites. They are the “must reads” on my feed reader.

About a year ago, I wrote an article for the main site that outlines The 6 Phases of the Web Site Design & Development Process. As part of my business web site, the article is slanted to how I personally help clients through the process of creating a web site.

Here, however, I wanted to create a more generalized post. Same basic idea, however this version can be utilized by anyone, regardless of who they hire to design their web site.

I hope this helps when considering building your own site!

The Web Site Design and Development Process

There are numerous steps in the web site design and development process. From gathering initial information, to the creation of your web site, and finally to maintenance to keep your web site up to date and current.

The exact process will vary slightly from designer to designer, but the basics are generally the same.

Freelance Switch posted an article titled “Freelancers Beware of Receiving Payments via Credit Card through PayPal” a few days ago that still has me shaking in my boots!The article details a terrible experience that Cara Williams had with a very bad client and PayPal.

PayPal often boasts about it’s strong buyer protection. But what about sellers? Sellers – especially sellers of services and other non-tangible goods – are least protected of them all.

Question is… what’s the alternative? There seem to be drawbacks to just about every payment out there (chargebacks to PayPal payments, chargebacks to credit card purchases made through other merchant accounts, bounced checks, etc.)

There has been a massive outpouring of support and concern over the issue – go look at the growing comments! I’ve learned quite a bit from the comments to this article.

I personally use PayPal and good old fashioned checks for payments for my web design services. On one hand, PayPal is nice and quick, but they take away a percentage (as with any merchant account…) Checks are great because you get the entire amount for yourself – it just takes longer to arrive in the mail, and involves an extra trip to the bank, etc.

So, what should you do? Yes, PayPal is convenient, inexpensive, and everyone and their mother seem to already have an account. But, with such lack of protection for the seller (aka you and me) – we might actually be better off spending a little extra money on a “real” merchant account. Question is, of course – which is the best one? Who will stick up for us the seller against fraudulent chargebacks?

Go check out Cara’s Story – heck, I’d almost call it a nightmare! Lots of great conversation over the issue on Freelance Switch. I’d love to hear your thoughts or suggestions, whether it’s over here, or at the original article.

Edit: Freelance Switch has since posted a follow up article, with some alternatives to paypal. You can read that article here:

• Linkswitch! PayPal Alternatives & Extra Goodies

I just came across a very interesting post by Nick Cernis on Put Things Off in regards to using the “F” word with clients and potential clients.LOL – No, not a curse word – but the word “Freelance” or “Freelancer” etc.

Shock! Horror! Are You Using The F Word Around Your Clients?

In his article, Nick discusses both the Pro’s and Con’s of using this term with clients and potential clients, etc.

Personally, I have been using this as part of my non-official title on my other web sites, but am now reconsidering it…

Of course, as part of this blog and blogging community, I am among the company of some amazing Freelancer’s! That is what I am, too, so I will proudly continue to use the F word around here, LOL.

I hope you’ll give this article a read! It is interesting to see the comments and what everyone else has to say on the matter.

What do you think?

Do you use this term with your clients and prospects? Did the article change your mind about it?

I would love to hear your opinion on the matter, whether it’s here or over at the original article!

Skellie of Skelliewag and Anywired recently wrote a four part series on Freelance Switch about Becoming a Freelance Web Worker.This isn’t just in reference to becoming a freelancer – the articles focus on how to be a freelancer who does 100% of their business online. I found the posts to be very helpful and informative!

The series focuses on:

How to find clients, how to work completely online and how to run your freelancing business from anywhere in the world.

Working as an online-only freelancer takes this flexibility to another level. You can work for who you want, when you want, in any state or country in the world (all you need is an internet connection and a computer).

I would say that the majority of my business is done online – in fact I don’t actually have any local clients. I think of this as a great thing, because that means I don’t have to deal with any in-person meetings.

Most importantly, I’m able to do all of my work from the comfort of home, or wherever my laptop takes me. With no local clients, I’m lucky enough not to have to go to their office to work, for example.

On the other hand, most of my clients and prospects prefer the phone to email, and most pay by check rather than by PayPal – so in this sense, I’m not truly a web worker yet.

However, the majority of my business either comes from referrals or from online sources (most have found my web sites through the search engines, for example).

My favorite post in the series is Part 2: Finding Work Online. Skellie lists 23 ways to find work online, and goodness knows we can all use tips on how to get more work… well, those of us just starting out, anyway, lol.

So, I am fairly close to being an online only freelancer – the tips in the articles below might just get me to 100%. Hopefully they will help get you there, too!

Becoming a Freelance Web Worker

• Part 1: Why You Should Do It
• Part 2: Finding Work Online
• Part 3: The Working Day
• Part 4: Working Anywhere

With the New Year fast approaching, my mind is constantly on creating my goals and resolutions for 2008.

I’ve come across a few interesting articles on the subject, as well as several that highlight the idea of fear both helping and hindering your efforts to reach those goals.

Several of my favorite blogs have some good food for thought. I have been coming back to these articles as I set my resolutions for the upcoming year.

I hope these help shed some light for you as well!

Freelance Switch
How to Apply What You Learned in 2007 for Continued Success in 2008

The Shane and Peter Inc. Blog
2008 Goals: Scare Yourself

The Shane and Peter Inc. Blog
The Million Dollar Question

IttyBiz
Entrepreneurship: What To Do When You’re Scared Sh*tless

eMoms at Home
Is it Fear of Failure or Fear of Success that is Holding You Back?

I just came across a new Ebook from one of my favorite blogs! Freelance Switch is an amazing blog for Freelancers. I’d just about have to say that it actually is my favorite blog.

They’ve recently published a 212 page Ebook titled How to Be a Rockstar Freelancer. (Currently available as an Ebook… due out in Paperback in January 2008!)

I haven’t gotten my hands on a copy yet – this book is extremely high on my wish list, though… if I get a little extra Christmas money, I very well plan on spending some of it right here.

So anyway, I can’t give my own review, but from what I’ve heard from other people who have read this book, it is a great resource. It apparently covers information that is not included on the blog. Goodness knows I’ve received invaluable advice from the Freelance Switch blog, so I can only imagine how much more helpful this book will be.

Topics include…

• Getting Your First Jobs
• Scoping & Timeframes
• Pricing Yourself
• Doing the Job
• Clients
• Getting Paid
• Marketing Yourself
• Building a Business

This sounds like a truly great read. A perfect last minute Christmas gift for any Freelancers out there.

This week’s find is a great one, and should be of particular interest to anyone trying to get their small business off the ground!

Naomi Dunford over at Itty Biz has recently posted a number of topics in a new series titled Marketing School. Naomi has a great writing style – it certainly does NOT feel like school, lol. She teaches many important aspects of starting (or beefing up) your business, including topics such as:

• What is a USP (Unique Selling Point)?
• How to Build Your Own USP
• Identifying Your Target Market
• and much more…

It’s definitely worth a read – I’ve learned a lot from the articles so far, and am anxiously awaiting the next post. I believe there will be approximately 30 articles to the series once it’s complete.