When most business owners think of growing their business, they usually think of advertising. But you know what? If your business has been up and running for a while, then you already have a customer base and it's likely that you also have prospects and business associates. Business associates are generally other people in the same or related businesses as yours. You see them at conventions, networking events, etc. They may be your vendors or suppliers. They may even be "competitors." The big "aha" here is that these areas are where you should be doing the bulk of your marketing.

Let me explain. A study was done with 1,000 Harvard Business School graduates who have been in business for at least 5 years. They were asked where the majority of their sales came from. Of the 85% who responded to the survey, it was found that over 60% of sales came from repeat business. Then these same graduates were asked how much of their marketing budget was dedicated towards those existing and repeat customers. Get this - NONE! Not one marketing penny was spent towards those customers!

So what does this mean for you? I'm glad you asked! (you WERE going to ask, weren't you?)

Since most businesses are doing the same old same old, and since you want to make yourself stand out from the crowd and more importantly, make big bucks and become a household name, should you do what most businesses do? Or should you take advantage of a market that they are either unaware of or just ignoring altogether?

The correct answer her is that you want to do what the others are NOT doing.

Well, what are some good ways to do exactly that? Here are 7 things that you can do to make yourself stand out from the business "crowd."

1. Network: Get out and press the flesh. Meet and greet. Get to know people personally and face to face. Ask questions. Share common interests.

2. Help Others: Be the "go to" person. Who was it that said, "You'll get what you want by helping others get what they want?"

3. Follow-up: You have to honor your commitments! If you told someone you'd call or meet them, or get them information, or connect them with someone, DO IT! And do it quickly. If you just met someone, reconnect with them while you are still fresh in their mind.

4. Planning: Decide what you want BEFORE you take an action. Otherwise, you'll possibly be wasting time and energy in the wrong direction and with the wrong people.

5. Goal setting: Can't have a plan until you decide where it is you want to go. After setting your goals, break them down into smaller time restricted increments. This makes them attainable in your mind and also gives you a ruler to see where you are and how far you have yet to go.

6. Stay In Touch: O.K. you've followed up and you've begun to form relationships. Do you think you should deepen them or maintain them? Do this regularly and it will pay off big time.

7. Referrals: Is is possible that your customers and friends may know others who would want your products or services? Why not ask? This is a great untapped market!

Some of these actions may seem obvious and no-brainers, but you would be surprised how many business don't put them into practice. As you've seen from the Harvard survey, even many of the big boys don't do the basics. Don't let that be you!

To your business success!

Networking is not sales! Networking is creating relationships that can lead to sales.

If you've ever wondered if you should network or how to network effectively, then we can show you how it can be done while having fun at the same time. Networking is the marketing strategy that can super-size your business without gaining all those ugly pounds or raising your cholesterol. If you're a people person, networking is for you. if you're not a people person, this can help you overcome your fears while profiting.

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