"How to Avoid Being One of the 95-98%
of Businesses That Fail Within the First 5 Years"
This year (2002) marks my fifth year in business.
It's been a rough and bumpy road ... but well worth every
minute of it.
You've no doubt heard that if a business can
make it to their fifth year, it has "arrived." This
doesn't mean that the journey from that point on will be without
obstacles and challenges, but the biggest and the worst ones
-- the ones that make you want to throw up your hands and
quit -- have usually been dealt with. You've finally reached
a point where you have confidence in what you're doing. You
know, in your heart of hearts, that this is the road you want
to travel.
I can't say that everything I did to get where
I am today has been the best choice, but I will say one thing: I never stopped marketing. I never stopped letting
others know who I am and what I do.
From the moment I made the decision to become
a self-employed writer, not one day went by that I
didn't spend time on marketing. I immediately made a brochure
and several flyers. I submitted articles to a local business
journal (which were published). I "bolded" my listing
in the Yellow Pages so I'd be noticed ahead of the others
in the Writers category. I sent postcards to advertising agencies
introducing myself. I attended local Chamber of Commerce networking
activities and passed out my business card. I joined and attended
meetings of two leads groups. I set up a website and registered
it with all the search engines (they were free in those days).
I began writing and sending out a newsletter. I visited with
the manager of the local Small Business Development Service
and advised him of my services. I offered my writing for outrageously
low prices so I could demonstrate my abilities (and build
my portfolio).
And that just scratches the surface.
If you're still working towards that "magical"
five-year mark and think you're never going to make it, my
first words of advice are to HANG ON! If you truly enjoy what
you're doing, don't give up. The next thing I would say to
you is to do something (no matter how small) every single
day to market your business. Growth and longevity don't
come by a-wishin' and a-hopin' -- they come from hard work,
patience, and persistencein marketing.
Nan Yielding has nearly 10 years experience as an online business owner. She is the owner of Writing-Etc.com and offers internet marketing services and assistance to help website owners attract more customers and increase sales.
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