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Top 10 Tips To Market & Build Your Professional Practice
In building and running a professional
practice (or any small business or a home-based business), there are many items
that must be monitored closely. As a small operation, you can't afford to find
out too late that a critical aspect of your business has gotten off-track! This
list looks at 10 items to emphasize at the start of a new year, or any time you
want to rapidly grow your business in a short period of time.
This Top 10 is really two groups of 5 items each. The first 5 items are tools,
things to have on hand that will help you grow your business quickly, while
items 6 through 10 are personal qualities or personal styles that create a
powerful sense of "attraction" for new clients.
1. A business plan. Include a clear mission statement, describe the services you
provide, the population you serve, the benefits you provide, and financial
projections.
2. A marketing plan. Include a description of your targeted market groups and
budgets for time, energy and money to reach those specific groups of people.
3. A comprehensive set of brochures, exercises, hand-outs and "give aways". If
word of mouth is the best advertising, make it easy for your clients to say the
nicest things about you! Make sure every client has valuable information, tools
and ideas to share with friends. Put real value in your literature.
4. A plan for networking. A huge part of success is just showing up! Whether
it’s civic activity, volunteering at your child’s school, or in your house of
worship, show up! The more you put into your community, and the more you
contribute, the more you will get back.
5. The perfect office. Are your waiting room chairs comfortable? Are your
magazines current and appropriate? How about the wall paper, the music, the
carpet? Your office should tell each client that when they choose you, they are
getting the best!
6. Over-respond to every situation. Give far more than expected. Answer every
question, then send a relevant article a few days later. Return phone calls
immediately! Promise less, then deliver twice what you promised.
7. Eliminate the cost of delay. Never wait "until you can afford" new equipment,
a better office or more training. The cost of delay includes too many missed
opportunities. If you need it, and you’ll do it eventually, do it now! Get on
the internet, get a computer billing system, upgrade your phones. Delay costs
you money, time, energy and limits your creativity. Do it now!
8. Take superb care of yourself. Exercise and eat well, get plenty of rest and
hang around the most delightful, challenging and exciting people you can find.
See one less client per day, and spend that time adding value to your remaining
clients.
9. Market yourself shamelessly. Market your practice with style, with passion,
good taste, and a low-key honesty that is shame-free and comfortable for
everyone around you. The community needs your skills far more than you need a
job – clearly communicate what you do and how well you do it. Your community
needs you! Let them know how to find you!
10. Tolerate no distractions. A clear vision and passionate commitment to your
priorities makes life simpler and you become incredibly attractive to those who
share your vision. Clean up any distractions and serve your clients with
absolute integrity and total commitment. People know when they are getting your
best.
Always focus on what you want for your business in the months ahead. We don’t
generally get everything we wish for in life, but being clear, focusing on the
important rather than the convenient or the familiar, and being smart and
working hard can take us further than we imagine. The clearer you are about what
you want, the more likely you are to get it.
"Written by Dr
Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr.
Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and
resources for your success, including a great newsletter.
It's all on his website at: http://www.philiphumbert.com"
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25 Super-Practical Steps to Build Your Business!
