Don’t let the following tips fool you. They are simple, but they are the foundation of great business.

1. Be a Decent Human Being. Good manners and gratitude are a huge deal. Being outgoing and caring for others are powerful values that shine in your work.
2. Do Great Work. There is no way around this. You must put the energy and imagination into producing kickass work. Unless you can create mind-blowing product, you might as well quit now and get a “regular” job (apologies to those in traditional jobs which are no longer “regular!”)
3. Show Your Work. If no one “really” sees your work, you’ll never be remembered or bought. Figure out how you will break into the world of being “seen,” make a plan and then do it. Over and over and over…so you will be “remembered.”
4. Over Deliver. When you get someone’s attention, make sure you are worth the attention. Then, get back to them in a “together” way. Be totally engaged EVERY time you meet. This is how you get to work with them for life. We seek people “who get things done!”
5. Follow Up. YOU need to keep after it – day after day, month after month. Again, I’m sorry. Nobody’s going to hold your hand. Aggressive sales tactics are for chumps. You’ll cash in by making basic human connections, by simply being available and keeping in touch. There are so many ways to do this.
Everyone Needs A Plan.

A well thought-out and organized plan dramatically increases your odds of succeeding as an entrepreneur.

It allows you to:

Know where you are.
Know where you’re going.
Be efficient.
Work with focus.
Do great work.
Use money smartly.
Work productively.
Get more clients.
Be SEEN.
Be REMEMBERED.

•  Your Plan gives you guidance, reminds you of your goals and breaks all the work down into manageable steps. It is the map of your hopes, dreams and ideas for your business.

•  Your Plan takes time, thought and work to produce. Many entrepreneurs find this process difficult.  Don’t go it alone.  Marketing Creatives has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs to create their own Custom One-Year Plan.  Read more...

Finding tools for “seeing” what makes us unique are valuable in today’s entrepreneurial world.  This one is easy to use and very effective. It enables you to know yourself more fully.

In marketing, it is More Important to be Different than to be Better.

Begin the exercise as follows: Use 1 sheet of paper, create 2 columns and title each column header “Same” on the left and “Different” on the right.

• Create a List of Attributes:

The Same – what do you do professionally that every other person (who says they do what you do) does?
List the elements all same businesses must do and be specific.  Read more...

The SWOT is an amazing business tool.  It enables businesses and individuals to see themselves from inside and outside of their business.

In marketing, it is More Important to Be Different than Better.

To do this work, use the Strengths from your SWOT and expand them as suggested below:  Read more...

• Expand and Describe each strength.

• Explore what makes each individual characteristic work for you.

• Explain how they work for you in your business.

• Show examples where possible.

• Profile (think “CSI”) and create “YOU” as defined by your strengths.

Here is a powerful exercise that simplifies getting to core values and learning how each person and business has a unique position in the world based on those values.

In marketing, it is More Important to be Different than to be Better.

To do this work, ask yourself:  What never changes about you, your work, your approach to any issue — no matter what is happening in the world?  Read more...

• List 10 things that would be important to you and your well-being.

• Describe how those things contribute to your well-being.

• Prioritize each on their value to continuing to do your business.