Reg Gupton provides 7 marketing tips for anyone in the personal service business

I recently read the following by Robert Middleton and felt it was worth passing on.

Below you'll find the "Seven Areas of Marketing Fitness." Put your

mind on improving these and you'll build the foundation of a very

strong marketer with plenty of endurance.

"Seven Areas of Marketing Fitness"

1. Your Marketing Message: Is it 100% clear exactly what you are

selling, who it's for and what problem it's solving? Is what you

offer providing real solutions to vital issues your prospects are

struggling with?

"What is it you do again (and who do you do it for)?"

2. Your Web Site: Does it effectively communicate (not only the

message but the essence of) what you and your business are

about? Sketchy content and amateur design will have visitors

clicking off your site in a heartbeat.

"Do you have a website (with information I can understand)?"

3. Your Value. Are you clearly articulating the value and benefits

clients get when working with you? Can you express this in terms

of an "Ultimate Outcome" that your clients get from you? Do

prospects fully understand the impact of this?

"What can I really expect to get if I work with you?"

4. Your Differentiation: Do your services boldly stand out or do

they look like what everyone else in your field is offering? What's

a complaint no one else has addressed? What can you emphasize

that all your competitors have missed?

"What is it that makes you different from everyone else?"

5. Your Packaging: Are you just selling a process (consulting,

training), or instead are you providing services that will deliver

an outstanding outcome every time? This one change can

dramatically alter a prospects' perception of your value.

"What kind of long-term results can I expect?"

6. Your Credibility: Are you making a strong case for your

services? Are you proving that you can get the job done? Have you

built a portfolio of case studies and testimonials that prove you

produce consistent results for your clients?

"Can you help a company like mine (and where's your proof)?"

7. Your Service: Is it easy to reach you? Do you respond quickly?

Do you keep your word? Do you provide the information needed?

Do you answer the hard questions? Are you pleasant and fun to

deal with? Do you make the client a priority?

"Can I reach you when I need you (and will you treat me well)?"

By Robert Middleton of Action Plan Marketing. Please visit

Robert's web site at www.actionplan.com for additional

marketing articles and resources on marketing for professional

service businesses."

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton
gupton@growthseminars.com