Stay the course

By Andrew Neitlich | May 16, 2005 | Selling Web Design Services

I’m finishing up some projects as I write this, looking out to how to keep my pipeline full (not that I need to; this year has been FANTASTIC and I could take the rest of it off; but I love what I do).

The answer is simple: Stay the course. I have a focused target market, and need to continue reaching out. So my plan is:

- Pitch ideas to two current prospects who I know from other client work;

- Play tennis with a top referral source and work with him to create some opportunities;

-Turn on my online marketing efforts to my target market, with an emphasis on new educational, valuable materials for this market.

- Experiment with a new target market, closely related to the current one, but different enough to be worth some testing.

The key is to not panic, not flounder, but keep building on what I already know works fine.

Are you staying the course?

Written By:

Andrew Neitlich

Andrew's consulting practice focuses on helping professionals and entrepreneurs build successful businesses. He received his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1991. You can get his books, sign up for his free newsletters, and learn more about him at www.fastmarketingresults.com. Andrew also maintains Down to Business: SitePoint's Small Web Business Management blog.

{ 7 comments }

digitman May 22, 2005 at 8:44 pm: you really should update the blog
more often.
perception May 20, 2005 at 4:33 am: Consistency in marketing is everything.
I used to make a big effort – which I hated – get lots of work and then forget about it, until I suddenly ran out of work and needed some more.
Now I do a little marekting everyday – which I actually enjoy – and I am really starting to see the benefits.
I try and make sure that I am always talking to some new prospects and some existing clients at all stages in the sales cycle.
etsuko May 20, 2005 at 12:03 am: Just need to keep chugging along. I know I won’t be able to take my mind of thinking stuff that I love doing. I’d probably end up in a delusional state later if I ignored it too long. ;)
BerislavLopac May 19, 2005 at 4:21 am: Considering Edison’s views to Tesla’s inventions, as well as his thoughts about AC power, no amount of work would make hima a succesfull scientist/inventor. On the other hand, he was a successful businessman.
mrsmiley May 17, 2005 at 5:52 pm: Nice quote. Something like 1000 failed attempts at the light bulb before he got it right. Never really looked at success in that light before (no pun intended)
Ravedesigns May 17, 2005 at 1:01 pm: Great advice Andrew. It reminds me of a favorite quote that I love…
“Genius, nothing! Sticking to it is the genius! I’ve failed my way to success.”
-Thomas Edison
nzgfxguru May 17, 2005 at 1:34 am: Great information, I have to agree that you have to keep going. Always keep in mind future prospects and work on them. Some people get complacent when they become successful.