I don’t tend to send out newsletters every single day. That isn’t just because it takes a lot of work to put a newsletter together; it’s mainly because I know that I don’t need to inundate my audience with information.

In my line of work, I can wait to blog every few days and send a newsletter every week or two. Unlike a news outlet, my information doesn’t change hourly. I realize that and so I use social media to stay connected, but not to inundate my readers with STUFF.

Unfortunately, there are many companies that haven’t gotten that message yet. Those places practically spam their customers and prospects with daily “news” that isn’t really news at all.

In order to avoid becoming a pest, you need to use social media to your advantage. And that means you have to keep a few factoids in mind:

1. Social media success happens over time. Be patient. You can’t send out 100 tweets today and expect to be a success by tomorrow.

2. You want to build real relationships with your social media contacts. Don’t just “collect names”. You can have 1,000 fans on Facebook and not one of them may be really reading what you write. Develop true partnerships and make sure you reciprocate.

3. Spam is hated. It really is. So stop spamming. Always ask yourself, “Would I want to receive this information?” If the answer is “no”, you might want to rethink your strategy.

4. Oh, and that brings us to the point that you NEED a social media strategy. If you’re just blogging, sending out newsletters, and doing Facebook updates “when you feel like it”, you’re not taking advantage of these powerful marketing tools.

There’s nothing wrong with hopping on the social media bandwagon. Just make sure you pay your dues or you’ll be seen as a hobo just riding the rails!

“I don’t have time to go to a seminar offsite, let alone head back to school!”

It’s something that plenty of entrepreneurs say when asked why they haven’t stayed on top of the latest trends and techniques to manage and improve their businesses.  But it’s also just an excuse.

In today’s fast-paced Internet world, there are mucho opportunities for entrepreneurs to keep their ears to the ground.  Best of all, many of them are FREE:

1.  Webinars

These are hot, hot, hot and are a great way to find out what’s going on.  (You can even check out your competitors if they offer free or low-cost webinars.)  You don’t have to leave your home or office, either.

2.  Teleseminars

Like webinars, these learning opportunities take place in a virtual capacity, via telephone.  You’ll call into a special number and be tied into a training session.

3.  Ebooks

Many sites offer free ebooks if you sign up for their newsletters.  Avail yourself of this freebie; most ebooks are relatively short and you’ll probably learn at least a nugget of new info.

4.  The Library

It’s old-fashioned, but it’s free!  All you have to do is take the time to go there and peruse the book aisles.  You won’t spend a penny, but you’ll have all the great minds at your fingertips!

5.  Blogs and Websites

Many blogs and websites keep you up to date on new and emerging trends in your industry as well as peripheral industries.  Subscribe to these fountains of knowledge… you never know when you’re going to read something that makes you go “Aha!”

Are you a “social” person?  I don’t mean someone who is extroverted or likes to talk on the telephone… I’m talking about “social” in terms of marketing.

Yep, THAT type of social.  Think Facebook, YouTube, blogs, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn.  It’s all out there, just waiting for you to take advantage of the swingingest social scene cyberspace has to offer.

So why aren’t you out socializing for all it’s worth?

I’ve head a lot of excuses… most of them dealing with — not surprisingly — time:

- “Who has TIME for social networking?”

- “I don’t have TIME to do social media marketing the right way!”

- “My TIME is too valuable for twits or twirps or chirps or whatever those little 140-character things are!”

Many, many excuses. 

All unacceptable.

In today’s competitive marketplace, social media marketing is a superb equalizer.  The little guy AND the big guy can meet, face-to-face, in a virtual arena.  And David can slay Goliath one tweet, post or podcast at a time.

If you’re not engaging in social marketing, the time to begin is now!  You’ll wonder how your business ever thrived without it!

Remember the old Preference by L’Oreal commercial that ended with the tagline:  “Because I’m worth it”?  The underlying message was that the product had value.  Too bad more entrepreneurs and small business owners don’t think of themselves and their enterprises with the same motto!

Many times, professionals underestimate their value in a number of ways:

• Denying themselves the educational opportunities they know they should take advantage of to stay at the top of their game.
• Not taking calculated risks to potentially propel their businesses.
• Refusing to raise their rates or prices even after years and years.
• Telling themselves they can’t go for their dreams.

If you’re stuck in a mindset that’s holding you back, I urge you to start telling yourself that you’re “worth it”.  You might be surprised to find that if you say it often, you’ll start to believe it… and others will, too.

From the time we’re kids, we quickly learn that if we aren’t held accountable for certain responsibilities, we can slack off more and more.  For instance, if a youngster is expected to take out the garbage but no one ever checks up on her to make sure she’s doing it, that youngster will probably start “cutting corners” here and there.  The end result?  The job isn’t done (or is only half-finished).

Accountability is just as important for adults, especially those who want to run their own businesses.  Though there are those rare people who can hold themselves accountable, most individuals will stop performing at their top levels if they don’t have accountability. 

This is one of the reasons I am so passionate about my Marketing Made Easy for Small Businesses coaching program which is launching later next week.  While the program’s main focus is to help entrepreneurs and business owners form lasting marketing strategies, a side effect of taking the coaching program is its accountability factor.

If you’re the owner of a business or you’re planning to start a business in the new year, I strongly urge you to join me throughout this year-long program.  You’ll be held accountable for your actions, which will practically guarantee that you’ll get more done than you would otherwise.  And in today’s competitive environment, it’s important to take advantage of every single edge you can!

Send me an email at julie(at)jadcc(dot)com today and I’ll register you within 24 hours.  Alternatively, head to this page and register online.

I look forward to helping you ensure that you’re accountable (and profitable) in 2010!