Everything was closed off from face to face, in person, meetings/gatherings/events. I've got to do something. I can't just go silent. And then I was like, okay, let me try this whole podcast and marketing myself.  People are talking about it. I'm listening to it. Like, let me see how this goes. And so I decided, let me try and set up being a guest on podcasts first and see how that goes. 

In the beginning, nobody would have me on their show. I wouldn't even get a no, like I just wouldn't get no responses at all. Just crickets.  I sat back and I told myself, well, what's going on here? Cause I know people are getting on podcasts. Why can't I get on anything? And then I kind of tweaked and strategized for about two to three months.

And then I got booked on a hundred podcasts in 60 days,  which was completely possible then, cause we're all stuck at home doing nothing anyway, right? So I was quite happy going on one podcast and another and another,  It was pretty easy,  but then the podcasters were turning around and saying to me, what's the name of your podcast?

As your business evolves, you need to make decisions quickly. A one-page business plan serves as a quick reference that you can consult when faced with new opportunities or challenges. It’s a reminder of your business’s mission, goals, and strategies, helping you stay on course without getting sidetracked by less important tasks.

Reviewing and updating a one-page business plan is far less daunting than overhauling a traditional plan. By reviewing it at least twice a year, you can assess what’s working and what’s not, make necessary adjustments, and pivot as needed. This regular review process ensures that your business stays agile, allowing you to respond effectively to changes in the market, customer needs, or your own business objectives.

Staying on top of what’s working and what’s not by regularly reviewing your plan can save you significant time and money. By identifying and cutting out ineffective strategies early, you can allocate resources more efficiently. This proactive approach helps you avoid costly mistakes and ensures that your efforts are directed toward activities that truly drive growth.

When you have a clear, up-to-date understanding of your business plan, making informed decisions becomes easier. Whether it’s deciding on a new marketing strategy, expanding your product line, or adjusting your budget, the one-page plan provides the insights you need to make choices that are aligned with your business’s long-term goals.

Decision-making becomes more streamlined and strategic with a well-defined business plan. It acts as a guiding framework, helping you evaluate new ideas or opportunities by assessing their alignment with your core business objectives. This process aids in prioritizing initiatives that contribute most effectively to your long-term vision.

Consistently produce valuable and high-quality content that resonates with your target audience. Whether it's blog posts, videos, social media updates, or emails, content should be informative, entertaining, or inspiring. Quality content keeps your audience engaged and encourages them to share your content with others.

Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for content discoverability. Optimize your content to rank well in search engines, making it easier for new audiences to find you. Research relevant keywords and incorporate them into your content, meta descriptions, and titles.

 Collaborations can expand your reach. Partner with other businesses or influencers in your niche for co-branded content or promotions. Cross-promotion exposes your brand to their audiences, and vice versa.

 Building an audience isn't just about broadcasting messages. Actively engage with your audience by responding to comments, questions, and messages. Show that you appreciate their feedback and input.

Live video can be a powerful way to connect with your audience in real-time. Host webinars, Q&A sessions, or live product demos to engage and interact with your audience.

One of the most compelling reasons to collect email addresses and phone numbers is the direct line of communication they provide. Unlike social media platforms or other third-party communication options, email and text messaging allow you to reach your audience directly. This means your messages are more likely to be seen and, therefore, more effective. Whether you want to share exciting updates, announce a sale, or provide exclusive content, email and SMS are highly effective channels. You just need to be sure not to abuse the ability to connect with people. Please be sure your message is of use to your audience.

The more you know about your audience, the better you can tailor your marketing efforts to their needs and preferences. Collecting their interests and the where/why they connected with you along with their name, their email addresses and phone numbers enables you to segment your audience, creating targeted marketing campaigns. By delivering content and promotions that are more relevant to each group, you enhance engagement and conversion rates. For example, you can send personalized product recommendations, special discounts, or event invitations based on the individual interests and behavior of your contacts.

Building an email list or a phone contact list is not just about pushing your products or services. It's also an opportunity to build a community and establish trust. By regularly communicating with your audience through email newsletters, text messages, or phone calls, you can create a sense of belonging and loyalty. Share valuable content, offer helpful advice, and demonstrate that you genuinely care about their needs. In doing so, you'll build trust and strengthen the relationships you've established.

While social media platforms are excellent tools for reaching new audiences and engaging with your existing followers, they come with limitations. Algorithms can change, limiting your organic reach, and platforms may lose popularity over time. By collecting email addresses and phone numbers, you have a backup method to connect with your audience even if your preferred social media platform changes or becomes less effective. This diversification is essential for long-term sustainability.

When you collect email addresses and phone numbers, you retain ownership of this valuable data. You're not subject to the whims of third-party platforms that may restrict your access to your followers. This autonomy allows you to maintain control over your marketing efforts and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and trends in the digital landscape.

Building your audience and collecting email addresses and phone numbers is a crucial strategy for effective marketing and staying connected with those you've come into contact with. These contact details provide a direct line of communication, enable personalized marketing, help you build trust and community, and offer an alternative to social media channels. By harnessing the power of email and SMS, you can create stronger connections with your audience and ensure the longevity of your brand or organization in an ever-evolving digital world. So, start building your audience and collecting those contact details today; it's an investment in the future of your success.

• A marketing plan/calendar in place that reflects the paths noted in your plan focused on achieving the goals you set for your business. In creating your marketing calendar, begin with a big overview for the year, indicating where you are starting and where you want to end up. Then you will break it down by quarters, where you’re starting that quarter and where you want to end up at the end of that quarter. All of this will lead up to your year-end goal. THEN… detail out one quarter at a time focusing on your starting point and your ending point. You will create paths to reach each “end of the quarter” goal. When you start the next quarter you might have to adjust the starting point based on the results from your prior quarter but you’ll have guidelines in place for action to be taken.

It sounds like a lot of “stuff” to put together and I won’t kid you, it is, BUT once you have the notes in place and processes setup, moving forward will be A LOT EASIER and less stressful. You will feel more in control over what is going on IN your business allowing you to work with clients and customers.