So you’ve set up your own business, because you want to spend your time doing what you love, helping the sort of clients that you want to work with. But is it going to plan? Or do you seem to spend more time chasing after potential clients? When they do turn into clients, are you doing the work that you really enjoy doing, getting paid what you want to be paid and being paid on time? If not, where did it all go wrong?

Many service businesses know that they should promote their businesses, in order to attract the right sort of clients. But they think that they have to chase after prospects and try to persuade them to become clients. They believe that they have to try all sorts of different marketing activities, until they find one that works. Or they think that they have to do the marketing that everyone else in their industry does. Are you one of these people? If so, stop struggling! There’s no need to waste more money on your marketing, when there’s a much simpler way to attract ideal clients to your business.

How do you do this? By doing something as simple as planning your marketing, instead of winging it!

Here is a process we use for helping our clients to plan their marketing and make a success of their business. It forms the structure of my book, Magnetic Marketing, and the new email course we’ll be piloting from 1 May 2016, the Magnetic Marketing Course. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Situation – where are you now? You need to know what really makes you different from your competitors and why people buy from you rather than other businesses.

2. Objectives – where do you want to be? Set yourself short, medium and long term goals for your business, so that you know where your business is heading.

3. Strategy – how will you get there? Will you sell more of your existing services to existing clients, new services to existing clients, existing services to new clients or new services to new clients? Decide what you want to focus on, as each strategy needs different types of marketing.

4. Targets – who are your ideal clients? They are not everyone with a pulse and a credit card! You need to be specific so that your marketing is targeted to them.

5. Tactics – what is the best marketing to do? Don’t try to do everything and don’t do something that won’t get your message to your ideal clients. Focus on a few good marketing tactics rather than many weaker ones.

6. Money – how much will your marketing cost? Work out how much you can afford to spend and stick to your budget.

7. Men & Women – who will do your marketing? Do you know what you’re doing, or do you need help? Don’t try to do it all  if you’ve never done marketing before. Look for people who can help you.

8. Minutes – how much time do you have for your marketing? Marketing is not an overnight, quick fix; you need to allow time for things to work and schedule it so that you can keep doing marketing every week, even when you’re busy. Do you have time for some marketing every week?

9. Measurements – what will you measure in your marketing? You need to do more of the marketing that works and less of what doesn’t work. The only way you’ll know what’s working is by measuring your marketing. Measure, review and refine your marketing.

Don’t leave your marketing to chance. Create a plan to follow and you’ll find it much easier to attract perfect clients to your business, instead of having to chase them. If you’d like some practical help with creating a Marketing Plan, why not join the Magnetic Marketing Course? Every week you’ll receive an email full of resources and exercises for you to work through, taking you through the planning process in just nine weeks. Each week you’ll be sent tips and ideas that you can put into practice straight away, which will start to make a difference to your business. The course costs just £99 +VAT and will be launched on Monday 9 May 2016. You can pre-register now and by clicking here. We look forward to seeing you on the course!