Good Riddance!

How was 2010 for you? Undoubtedly there were things you tried that worked great and then there are those great ideas that, well, just didn't work at all. Chances are the economic climate also had an effect on how your business fared this last year.

With the New Year just a few days away it's time to say good riddance! It’s time to let go of what's gone and move forward.

Say good-bye to the same old strategy that has been tried over and over again but never produces the results you want.

The definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. Make 2011 different, try a different strategy. When you let go of what you've clung to for so long (probably for security, change can be scary!) you'll find you get more creative because your mind is forced to think of other possibilities.

Say good-bye to the business deals you made last year.

It’s time to thank your clients for a great year, close up any remaining tasks or communications and then turn off the light on the year.

Embrace the fact that the business climate has changed. Clients have moved on or even shut their doors for economic reasons. Instead of looking back, look ahead to new ways you can serve your target market. Find a new way to "repackage" your offer to serve in the tough financial times we've been facing.

Hanging on to the memories of what you've accomplished in 2010, although great for the ego doesn't move you forward. There are many new business opportunities right in front of you when the creative process is not bogged down by what was. When you let it go you’ll find your mind is open to thinking of new ideas to move your business forward.

Say good-bye to traditional advertising.

As you review the year take a hard look at what produced the best number of leads and sales for your business. Print is not as effective as it once was, the phone books are rarely used and mass media like television and radio are so cluttered with commercials it's hard to remember the messages.

The year 2011 will put us all right in the "age of personalization." People will trust what their neighbor, or even a stranger, says about your business more than any other form of advertising. People now expect access to customer service via the internet and social media – and they expect fast, personal results.

People use the internet more than ever to research before buying. And mobile phones let fingers do the walking faster than ever before with instant access to the latest advertised specials and product reviews. (Do you have a mobile version of your website?)

Say good-bye to what you thought about the internet and marketing. It can all change with the blink of an eye.

In 2010 the internet showed us how powerful social media can be. Did you dive in or are you still watching from the spectator stands? Are you still clinging to the hope that "if you build it they will come?"

There is a good reason mega companies like Bank of America, Wal-Mart & Best Buy use Twitter. They recognize that it’s no longer attractive to think and act like the big guy on the block and they are using the internet to bridge the gap and communicate directly with their customers.

The New Year will give you a fresh opportunity to use the internet to become in sync with your customer base. It's time to stop being an onlooker and start being a participant in the discussions. The web won't stop turning to wait for you, it's up to you to choose 2011 to be the year you really use the power of social marketing as part of a larger internet marketing plan.

The New Year is coming at a lightening pace; it's time to clear away the old mindset about how business is going to be done. Now is the best time to set out a new path for yourself and your company to assure bigger success in 2011.

Happy New Year!