I just finished reading the book “Get Clients Now” by C.J. Hayden. It truly is a great read and I think a must have for everyone’s business library. My goal for this 28 day program is to get out there and market my book The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Thriving Business and increase sales of my book. In the Get Clients Now program, Ms. Hayden suggests that you set ten action items for accomplishing that goal, so here they are … the steps I plan to take to increase my book sales:

1. Post on my blog (this one) daily
2. Spend 2 hours weekly researching for partners and getting direct contact information
3. Send 2 letters weekly to these partners
4. Write one article per week relating to my book
5. Post the article to at least 20 article marketing sites
6. Find at least one related blog weekly and add in blogroll
7. Post at least one comment on the above blogrolls
8. Post on forums daily with information relating to my book and expertise
9. Work on a teleclass I have been developing to market my book for 2 hours per week
10. Send one unadvertised bonus weekly to my book purchasers

So there you have it … these are my goals and I will be checking in weekly to let you know how my progress is going. Oh and if anyone has any suggestions of websites to help with the links I am looking to set up I would be happy to hear about them.

Last week I was faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to discontinue my working relationship with a client. I truly didn’t feel that I was the best fit for them nor were they the best fit for me. As always, when dealing with whether to end a working relationship with a client, I wondered if I was making the right decision. However, just the thought that I wasn’t sure it was the right relationship was enough of an answer to me that it was time to move on.

I don’t think enough can be said about finding your “ideal” client. If you spend the time making sure to only work with people you love and do things you love then you will continue to love what you do. It is so true that those clients that I call “suckers” … you know the ones that drain all your energy and that you really don’t like either the work you are performing for them or their personality clashes with you … can make you dread coming to work each day. It’s important to keep in mind that we all started our own business to be our own boss; so take a stand and make sure to surround yourself with clients that you know you are going to enjoy working with.

When deciding whether you want to work with someone don’t ever be afraid to say no. Trust your instincts and if something doesn’t feel quite right it is quite okay to turn them down. Just because they want to work with you does not mean you need to work with them. Your perfect client is probably waiting right around the corner. My best advice to you is to please don’t ever “take on” a client out of a sense of obligation or need. You should only be “taking on” clients that you know will fit into your business profile and future goals. By doing this you will not only be creating a career you will love and enjoy, but you will ultimately be creating a thriving business.

So even though I closed the door on this one client, it was amazing how quickly another one opened and in walked my ideal client, doing the tasks I love to do and in an industry I know inside and out!! Please make sure to remember that when one door closes watch for that other door to open or even a window!!