TIP: One way to find a new niche market is to evaluate your existing customers. Look for groups of customers with similar characteristics you don't currently cater to in your advertising. Then create new versions of your advertising appealing to their specific needs. You'll attract a lot more customers just like them.

3. EXPLOIT EMERGING TRENDS

Pay attention to changes you notice in your business and your markets. Try to spot trends you can turn into new sales opportunities -- before your competitors. The first company to identify an emerging trend and take action often becomes market leader in their industry.

For example, many small businesses took advantage of Internet early in its development. They used it to attract new customers they weren't reaching off-line and to capture customers from competitors who didn't yet recognize business potential of a web site.

TIP: Don't make sudden major changes in your business to exploit a new emerging trend. Instead, add something to your business to accommodate it. You don't want to alienate customers who aren't ready to adapt to new trend.

Start using these 3 marketing strategies to create permanent growth for your business. Use them repeatedly to continue adding new layers of permanent income without inviting competition.

Bob Leduc is a Sales Consultant with 30 years experience in generating low-cost leads. He recently wrote a manual for small business owners, "How to Build Your Small Business Fast With Simple Postcards", and several other publications to help small businesses grow and prosper. For more info: mailto:BobLeduc@aol.com?subject=Postcards Phone: 702-658-1707 After 10 AM Pacific Time/Las Vegas, NV

KARON: Give us your definition of “sales and marketing ready.”

DIANE: What I’m talking about are sites that are interactive and ever-changing to stimulate buying, customer interaction, and ease of navigation. If not, and you are not making a profit, it could be as simple as fact that something is just not right on your website. KARON: Hmmm… interesting points. These website vitals you’re talking about. Are these things that keep most people from creating and maintaining an effective marketing campaign? DIANE: Most of time yes. Primarily due to cost. Nothing is for free anymore online, nothing that is effective, that is...however, Web is still more cost effective. Creating effective marketing campaign takes knowledge, research, and communication. Maintaining an effective campaign means continuing to do what works, continually testing other strategies and constantly studying and gaining experience. KARON: So we would all be wise to investigate new options and learn as much as possible about new changes in Internet marketing so we can take advantage things that will bring us better results.

DIANE: It all changes so fast, that that’s only way to go. You just have to stay on top of things.

KARON: Where are marketing trends pointing? Are there new, effective things we should be looking toward in near future? DIANE: We should look to future marketing efforts to come through wireless communication, constant attention to personalization techniques online, and using power of offline marketing and online marketing together. Knowing how is half battle. Marketing is a process based on knowledge and a bunch of strategies working in sync to acquire customers, retain customers and upgrade customers to larger buys. KARON: Great stuff, Diane. Diversification is definitely important! I appreciate your time.

DIANE: Always a pleasure!

Be sure to visit Diane’s site at http://www.talkcity.com for additional information that can help your marketing plans bring about better results.