by Art Barron
Serious entrepreneurs who have not made New Year’s resolutions are likely to be as scarce as hen’s teeth.
It is said that some rules are made to be broken and New Year’s resolutions also seem to be no better. A record 30% of them are broken before the New Year brouhaha cools down.
Why then do serious entrepreneurs make these New Year’s resolutions? Only because they are die-hard optimists?
Whether they are to be broken or not, serious entrepreneurs have to make New Year’s resolutions. I did make a few in 2009 – or at least I tried to make, though I couldn’t zero in correctly on what I wanted to do. I thought of becoming an ace swimmer and then decided against it. Then considered quitting smoking but volleyed the idea before it touched the ground. And finally decided to build up my business at all costs.
New Year’s resolutions were broken, but I ended up doing something unbroken. It was an internet marketing course named 90 Day Challenge and it taught me what constancy is. I found out I should be able to achieve quite a lot if only I could make solid resolutions and not ones as flimsy as lines drawn on water. It is a course that is a must for serious entrepreneurs.
1. Leverage my time and money. After experiencing tremendous growth this year, of which I’m very grateful, there’s no better time to hire some help than now. With the economy in the worst slump in decades, people are desperate for work. There are talented people waiting to be discovered. So I’m investing my money in people instead of “stuff.”
2. Mastery over the social media. Absolute control over the social media is imperative for succeeding in internet marketing. Network marketing is a discipline that requires a lot of grit, drive, and determination. To succeed there, an ever widening social circle, and bonding with potential customers are of absolute importance. Paid Per Click ads do help, but you cannot rely on that alone completely.
Using Web 2.0 and social media is a way to let potential customers that you’re a real person, not just a name and email address. And Twitter is the breakout star! It’s going to be an important way to market and stay in touch with customers in the future.
3. What’s Working – What’s Missing – What’s Next?? Constant evaluation of what is producing results and then processing that feedback is vital. If something isn’t working, I need to make note of it and move on. There is something to be said for letting yourself “fail quickly” – this concept is really the key to success. As a serious entrepreneur, I need to continually remind myself and my team of what is working, fix what’s not, and to forget about the rest!
Even a successful business cannot be allowed to stagnate at the same level. Serious entrepreneurs should find out new ways for increasing the profit margin.
Don’t let fear of the recession guide your goal setting plans for 2009. This is a BIG mistake!
Fear may be a reflex action, and in certain circumstances a requisite as well. But response to a reflex action does not always show you the right path. Choose the path with care, and stick to it, come what may.
Internet shopping is predicted to hit $145.1 Billion in the coming year, a significant 14% increase — despite the recession!
Consumers will be spending more time at home, using their computers for everything from bargain hunting and product research to upgrading skills. And studies show this shift is ALREADY well underway.
So don’t let the Big “R” stop you from pursuing exciting personal, financial, and business goals in 2009. Take action!
Tags: absolute control, absolute importance, ace, barron, better time, brouhaha, constancy, die hard, discipline, leverage, marketing course, marketing network, network marketing, new year, optimists, resolutions, slump, swimmer, t zero, time and money
