The year is almost over and the last half of this year will fly by just as fast as the first half. Are you on target for meeting your business goals for this year?

If you answered yes, congratulations! Keep reading for ideas that will help you stay on track.

If you answered no, don't panic. Keep reading to find out how to get back on track so you can meet or exceed your business goals for this year.

This is part 1 of a 2 part article series that will show you how to avoid another year of not reaching your business goals.

DURING JULY:

Spend the month of July creating a marketing plan for the rest of this year. How can your business make a greater impact in the marketplace before this year is over? What marketing strategies worked for you and which ones bombed so far this year? Focus on the strategies that are working for you, and work to make them even better to ensure greater results and more clients before the end of this year.

Think about holding a contest or special event before this year is over. You can create something unique or you can tie your event into a major holiday. Put the event on your marketing calendar and give yourself at least three months to plan and promote it.

Set a goal to issue at least three Press Releases before this year is out. Think about upcoming programs and services that you are launching and find a way to create a newsworthy Press Release about it. Mark the dates for issuing your Press Releases on your marketing calendar.

Set a goal to do at least two marketing campaigns before this year is out. If you are not on target for meeting your revenue goals for this year, you will need to do more than two campaigns. Maximize the effectiveness of each campaign by doing an online version as well as a direct mail version.

DURING AUGUST:

In August, focus on generating more revenue for your business. Since 'Back to School' is a major theme during this month, 'educate' your clients and prospects. You can do this through value packed seminars, teleclasses, infoproducts, and conferences. In addition to providing value, your goal is to show your prospects how you can help them solve their problems.

You can offer a Fall sale for a service or product that is new or old, but make sure your prospects are aware of the increased value of the offer due to the decreased price. Make the offer compelling enough so they will buy before the sale ends.

If you don't have an infoproduct, spend the month of August creating your first one and draft a plan for future infoproducts.

DURING SEPTEMBER:

In September, leave obscurity behind. Gain more recognition for your business through public speaking, networking, and publishing.

Volunteer to speak at seminars held by business associations or your local chamber. Start with business associations that you are a member of, and look for other opportunities for speaking by offering to speak in front of local groups that are comprised of your target market.

Step up your networking activities to gain more visibility for your business. If you are currently only doing your networking offline, add online networking to the mix.

Approach every networking opportunity with the intent to connect with at least three people. Focus on learning more about their business and their challenges. Exchange business cards after you have made a connection and follow up immediately. Stay in touch with your networking contacts on a regular basis.

If you are not already publishing a newsletter, spend the month of September creating your first one. If you don't want to commit to publishing a newsletter on a regular basis, then publish articles that focus on your areas of expertise.

TAKE ACTION NOW!

Spend some time implementing these ideas for your business during the next three months, and you will be on track for meeting your business goals for this year.

Copyright 2004 Black Unicorn Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Tresaca Hamilton is the CEO of Black Unicorn Communications. Black Unicorn Communications helps Service Businesses attract more clients in less time. Visit http://www.blackunicorninc.com for a FREE Business Success Toolkit, including the 7 day e-course: 7 Steps To More Clients