Time for Those New Year Resolutions for Better Business Success in 2011

Yes it’s that time.  Time to reflect back on last year and come up with ways to make the next year even better.  I always feel at this time, why don’t I do this more often.  Why don’t I rethink my business in July and review what I’ve done and improve upon it.  Well, as much as I’ve tried over the years I really don’t do that.  However, I really do take advantage of this last week of the year to really rethink my business direction.  I hope you find these tips helpful.

Here’s are several New Years Resolutions to help you achieve greater success with your business this year:

Resolution #1 – Make a commitment to get to know two people within your industry on a more personal level every month.  Answer back an e-mail addressed to a group with a personal, “Hi. How are you doing? I’m Diana.”  Also, become more active on Facebook and Twitter and really respond back, not just tweeting your own tweets.  Engage!   If networking locally, introduce yourself at a professional organization’s meeting or a conference instead of just being in the background.

Resolution #2 – Take the time to organize your business and make it easier to run on a daily basis. If you haven’t done so already, invest in a 3-ring notebook and put all the valuable forms you use on a daily basis in there including all your marketing letters, follow-up client letters, proposals, portfolios, etc. By customizing these forms now, you have them available when a client contacts you and are then able to respond to that client immediately with the right professionalism that will convince them to use your services.   Bottom line – You don’t have to reinvent the wheel each time. Now you also have these online for easy access, but just having them in plain site so you can review can make such a difference.

Resolution #3 – Make an effort to keep your company name out there.  Send out regular press releases, articles, newsletters, post cards, thank you notes, and frequent follow-up.  Not only can this help your Google status, but it also gains you credibility as an expert.  Plan now.  Get a separate planner for this or go ahead and schedule it with your online calendar.  Actually write in the topics, what you are going to do, etc.  Yes, this takes time to do now, but just think when that week comes and all you have to do is “do the work.”  Instead of “what am I going to do now to market your business?”  You already know.  You just need to do it.

We wish you the best of luck in the coming year.  May it be your best year ever with success, happiness, and the right family/work balance that allows you to enjoy every day with peace and serenity.

Diana Ennen is the President of http://www.VirtualWordPublishing.com and co-author of So You Want To Be a Work-At-Home Mom: A Christian’s Guide to Starting a Home-Based Business with Jill Hart and also VA the Series: Become a Highly Successful Sought After VA (Kelly Poelker).