A 9-Step Goal Setting Process That Consistently Delivers Results

If the mere thought of doing a marketing plan makes you shiver and want to hide under a rock — relax.  It doesn’t have to be that hard or ominous a task.  When you really stop and think about it, a marketing plan is really nothing more than a goal setting process.

Wouldn’t it be great if your marketing plan just came naturally, almost organically?  It can be.  It can be as much fun as planning a party or a vacation.

Here is my magical 9-step process for creating an inside-out organic marketing plan.

1. Start with a goal. What is it that you really want to accomplish?  Is it a certain amount of money? Maybe it’s to build a list with a certain amount of members.  Either way – it’s ok for it to be general, we’ll narrow it down later.  But give yourself the freedom to dream and focus on what you really want.  Here’s the truth.  You can write whatever you want – but you will spend your time and energy on what you REALLY want.  What is that?
2. Narrow the goal into objectives. Take the goal you wrote and write down some things that you think will get you there.  If it’s general, make it more specific.  If it’s long-term, make it more short term.  Say your goal is to build a million dollar business.  You can narrow it by saying you want to build a list of 10,000 people in the next year.
3. What actions do you need to take? This is where you make your list.  Start from the end and then tell the story of how you got there.
4. What resources will you need to help you? Most marketing plans talk about budgets – but there is more to great marketing than money — besides, when was the last time you had all the money you needed?  For each action item, think about skills, talents and resources that you’ll need to help you.  Now start thinking about the people you can reach out to for help.  Are there software solutions out there that might help you achieve your goal?   Get creative about resources; time, people, skills, knowledge, talent, software, etc.
5. What obstacles will stop you.  This is a step many miss.  Stop and think about what might stop your progress.  You might say something like “I don’t know 10,000 people.”  Just that statement alone can really put a hamper on your progress.  List everything you think is an obstacle.  No time, no money, no contacts, etc.
6. Come up with 5 solutions for each obstacle.  Another step everyone misses that can really make a difference.  For each obstacles challenge yourself with the following statement “In what ways can I…(build a list of 10,000)?  Don’t ask “How can I” ask “In what ways” because it prompts your brain to come up with a list instead of just one solution.  You won’t believe how much fun this process is.  It opens you up to creating opportunities you hadn’t considered.
7. Pick the best solution. Now you’ve got ideas and solutions – pick the one you’re going to start with.
8. List the affirmations that will inspire you. “People sign up for my list and invite 3 more to do the same”  is a great example of an affirmation for building your list.  Simply focusing on this affirmation will give you even more ideas and action items.
9. Track your progress.  Set milestones for yourself and see how you do in meeting them.

How You Know If It’s Working

You can tell what’s important to you by tracking your money and your time.  For everything you sit down to do ask yourself if it’s going to take you closer to your goal or not.  If yes – then get to it and if it won’t, then stop and get yourself back on track.

What’s worked for you?  Share your goal setting success!