Small business marketing is all about focusing on what is important and getting things done. Training and seminars are GREAT but not effective unless you actually USE what you learn in them! That is where coaching comes in!
Yesterday a man who sells great content was having a web-a-thon that was offering a superb product for a high price. I wanted it BAD. BUT, I have not viewed all of the training that I have bought yet and especially have not implemented all of the the things that I should. So no training…sigh.
I DO training and webinars, in fact, yesterday I was on one with Geri Stengel of Ventureneer, a website for non profit marketing, and she said she got some great ideas from my 100 Free Marketing Ideas content. That warmed the cockles of my heart, but when I emailed her back I noticed her signature line in her emails. It is FABULOUS. All kinds of social media links, info about her business, etc. Mine is lame…sigh. I KNOW I need to fix that. I have heard it from a million different people and even TEACH it to others….so what is the problem?
And what does that mean for all you training and webinar junkies?
You go to a training or sit on a webinar, absorbing great content but not IMPLEMENTING what you heard (that nice Nikki Ubaldini calls that having “smart drawers” – taking a class and putting all your notes into your desk!)
Here’s what to do!
- If it is free and you have the time, attend the training or the webinar. If you pay for it, you better plan to use the info!
- Take notes and make an action list – 3 items only of what you are going to do with the content
- Implement those items!
- If you need more to do before the next webinar or training comes along, refer back to your notes and pick 3 more things to IMPLEMENT
Another way to get better at what you need to do from training is to teach what you are working the most on. I TEACH time management because I am a student of getting things done and know more than most people about how to set up systems and plans to make my life easier and more effective. If you are struggling with social media, offer to teach a class on it! I bet you will learn and DO a lot while you are preparing for it!
Make a list of the things that you notice you need to do! It can be HUGE, but the best thing about a list like this is that you can do something when you only have 5 minutes!
The last thing to do is get a coach. I am a small business marketing coach and help people stay on track and focused. I provide accountability and a PLAN for getting from point A to point B without getting distracted by all the shiney objects that come our way.
It may surprise you that I HAVE a coach too. Anyone who is successful knows that meeting your goals and moving forward requires getting help from someone who knows things you do not know (you know what you know, you don’t know what you don’t know!)
With all the great free and paid Training and Webinar information out there, it is easy to get overwhelmed…stay focused and implement and you will be on your way.
PS – you can see from my picture that TODAY was the day I implemented a new email signature…I feel so productive!
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