Small Business Marketing - Clarify Success

When you hear the word "success" does it bring on visions of fame and fortune for your business? Have you clarified and articulated what that success will look like for your business and how you'll know when you've achieved it?

What's the definition of success for your business? Most small businesses are selling their time and expertise to deliver a service to their clients. So the question I want you to reflect upon is this? "What does success look like?"

Now before you start answering with responses like, "I'll do $X Million in sales this year." ? STOP! That's not what I meant. The question is? "What does success look like for your client(s)?" Remember, your clients? Isn't it generally fair to say you're in business to provide a service to your clients? When you do it right, what does it actually look like for the client?

Don't get me wrong. I understand that we're in business to make money ? to make a living for ourselves. But that's rarely enough in life. Most of the service providers I know love working with and servicing their clients. If you focus on taking care of that, the rest will almost certainly take care of itself. So what does success look like for the client when you do it right?

Spend some time and clarify success for your service business. What are you passionate about? What is it that you're trying to do for your clients? What difference do you want to make? What do you "love" doing for them? What is it that they will have or be able to do because they bought your service from you?

This definition covers a broad range of issues for you and your business. All aspects of your business must be working well together to achieve this success. Be as specific as you can.

Now, if you really want to make this a valuable exercise for your business, then I challenge you to take the results of your own brainstorming and sit down with a few of your best client(s) to see what they think and get their input.

I think you can see that this type of reflection goes beyond listing your services or the results of your services. This is not, "I'm providing marketing and business growth services to help my clients' realize greater return on their marketing investments." Instead, let's get down to, "Clients won't have to struggle with their marketing efforts, wondering how they're going to get more clients. They will be able to easily generate a consistent supply of high-quality leads and convert them into more business so they can focus on what they love doing ? servicing their clients." See the difference?

For most small business owners I've known and worked with, owning their own business is a "dream." Unfortunately, if they're constantly stressed about how and where to find more business, then their "dream" may become their "worst nightmare."

Success then for my clients means helping them put a more systematic approach in place to ensure they're constantly generating leads and converting them into more business so they can realize their "dream."

When you clarify success in this way, you'll be able to devote your attention to continuously improve what you do and how you deliver your services to your clients. You'll be motivated to ensure you're delivering that value to your clients and not just doing what you always do so the clients will pay their bills. With success clarified, you'll be able to ask yourself, "How is what I'm doing today contributing to delivering success for my client?" And here's the real kicker ? because of your focus on your clients' success, expect to see more success for your own business!

(c) - Kevin Dervin, KPD Marketing

About the Author:

Kevin Dervin is focused on helping small businesses that are ready to grow, but struggle with how to consistently attract more clients. Visit http://www.proven-small-business-marketing-solutions.com for more great marketing information you can put to use in growing your business today.

Find Kevin's Kansas City based KPD Marketing practice at http://www.proven-small-business-marketing-solutions.com and subscribe to his free ezine called ABCD Grow.

recurring maid service Wilmette ..
In The News:

OpenTable now uses AI to track your dining habits and share insights with restaurants. Learn what data they collect and how to protect your privacy.
Google's discontinued Nest thermostats still secretly upload home data to company servers despite losing smart features, raising serious privacy concerns.
New Android malware NGate steals NFC payment codes in real-time, allowing criminals to withdraw cash from ATMs without your card. Learn protection tips.
DoorDash confirms data breach exposing customer names, emails, addresses after social engineering attack. Learn how to protect yourself from scams.
Concerned about Google's AI scanning your Gmail? Learn how to disable Gemini features that access your emails, Drive files and Chat messages for privacy.
Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.
Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.
A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.
South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.
Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALLĀ·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.
Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.
Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.
NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.
Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.
Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.
Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.
Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.
Fake airline texts claiming flight cancellations are targeting travelers with convincing scams. Learn how cybercriminals steal personal data and credit card info.
Discover how iOS 26's new Adaptive Power feature automatically extends iPhone battery life by learning your usage patterns and adjusting performance intelligently.
New TikTok malware campaign tricks users into running PowerShell commands that download Aura Stealer, which steals credentials and authentication tokens.
Gaia Family offers fixed upfront pricing for IVF cycles with unlimited embryo transfers and financial protection, partnering with over 100 U.S. fertility clinics.
The Jetsons Act aims to position Pennsylvania as a leader in advanced air mobility by establishing regulations for hybrid ground-air vehicles.
Fake Geek Squad invoice emails are targeting users with convincing charges and urgent phone numbers to steal personal information and money.

What is your Motto?

Company mottos can easily be printed on a business card.Sometimes... Read More

More Business Card Uses

Why would you use an event pass?Event passes are often... Read More

Competition Relations in Auto Detailing

There is significant competition in auto detailing and car washing.... Read More

Tips on Setting Up Your Small Business Bank Account

One of the first things you will need to set... Read More

11 Things Small Business Owners Can Learn From Tiger

1. There Are No "gimmes" ? They count two-foot putts... Read More

Covenants Not To Compete: Another Franchise Quandary

Imagine that you have operated a successful franchise business for... Read More

How to Start Home Based Travel Businesses

Home based travel businesses are no longer the wave of... Read More

Entrepreneurs Go Virtual!

With the massive explosion of start-ups and home businesses developing,... Read More

The Power of Why: Your Psychological Ally To Marketing Success!

Here's why 'WHY' is such a profit-making marketing trigger."Stop taking... Read More

Serious About Writing A Business Plan... Start A Business Plan Library

Tap these treasures of ideas. The best money you can... Read More

Making Direct Mail Work for Small Businesses

If you own a small business, then you know the... Read More

Attributes Of Companies You Don?t Want To Buy!

There are no "rules of thumb" in the pursuit of... Read More

To Buy A Fat Pig

What does buying a fat pig have to do with... Read More

FTC Franchise Rule if Enacted will Trigger Hardship for Private Sector

The FTC Franchise Rule maybe changed, as the Federal trade... Read More

Change May Be Your Ace in the Hole

Whether it has been thrust upon you by external market... Read More

Small Business Newsletter Dilemma: Which Day Do I Send?

If you're just ramping up your small business email newsletter,... Read More

If You Want to Work from Home

Here are some important points to take note of if... Read More

Is a Small Business Web Site a Wise Investment?

One of the greatest pitfalls in e-commerce is Field of... Read More

How to Find Success in the Import Export Business

Take advantage of world politics today and start your own... Read More

How To Cut Expenses And Manage Your Business

If you own a small business, you should know that... Read More

Arranging Your Fundraiser

When deciding to host a fundraiser for your company or... Read More

How To Ruin Your Business

If you're like the rest of us, you've spent a... Read More

Cleaning Grain Silos, Towers, Containers, and Combines

If you run a pressure washing company in a rural... Read More

Your Small Business Suggestion Box

A suggestion box is a really good idea for your... Read More

Small Business Marketing Series ? Choosing a Niche Market

Many smaller businesses choose niche markets for various reasons and... Read More

last minute cleaning help Highland Park ..