2. Write out at least a quarterly marketing schedule: What will you do today, next week, next month to increase sales. Will you send out postcards, write monthly press releases, create weekly e-mail campaigns.

If you write this down, you have a much better chance of sticking to it. This will also allow you to map out major holidays and relevant events that are pertinent to your customers: ie, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Mother's Day, etc. Doing this will allow you to prepare ad campaigns weeks or months in advance.

3. Put your schedule within your everyday view: If you devise a schedule, yet fail to look at it on a daily (or at least, weekly) basis, then you are much less likely to use it. Put it where you can see it. On those days where you have a marketing duty scheduled, do that first.

If you are lucky enough to find some free time before a scheduled duty, work on your marketing campaign. The beauty of this is that it allows you to get in the habit of thinking "marketing first."

4. Track your marketing results: Devise a method to figure out where the bulk of your customers come from. Is it a direct mail campaign, e-mail contact, affiliate links? Whatever it is, find out. This will allow you to increase your marketing in that area.

For example, if you use direct mail, put a code on the back of each mailer. Offer a discount to those who use this code when they place an order. This simple tracking method can be used in whatever form you accept orders (via phone, a web site, in-person, etc.).

Good marketing campaigns usually consist of more than one type of marketing. If you're working within a limited budget, try combing one free method (eg, free article distribution, press releases) with a low-cost method (eg, postcard mailing). The key is to advertise on a consistent basis.

Many small freelancers/business owners market only when they have money, for example, place a newspaper ad or create a brochure. But, there are free methods that can be utilized all the time.

Consider this: Robert W. McChesney, a professor of communications at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, cites studies showing that Americans are exposed to as many as 2,000 commercial messages a day. How will yours get through?

Given the ever-crowded ad market, hit and miss advertising (ie, advertising only when you can afford it) will not work. Remember, consistency is the name of the game. And, the only way to build consistent sales is to market all the time.

Note: The Small Biz Complete Marketing Kit! outlines seven free and low-cost advertising methods. Order here.
*********************************
The Small Biz Owner's Complete Marketing Kit! a complete "how-to, shoe string" marketing guide for entrepreneurs - specifically geared for those who are serious about growing their small business and want to get a handle on marketing - now! It will show you how to increase sales, generate leads, and save time & money. A must-have if you are truly serious about growing your business.