The work has to be done one way or another, so you might as well do it in a regular, orderly manner. You will find out that it is actually easier to do things this way. There will be nobody to stand over you and demand that you get things done and follow rules. It is up to you to make plans and stick to them; make your own rules and use them to help yourself. Keep daily tasks up to date and there will be plenty of time for you and Discipline to share a beer and watch some TV.

We all have tasks to perform which we like less than other jobs and it is tempting to put off doing these things. The result of that, however, is that these tasks pile up and one day we find we have to face a mountain of nasty jobs and get through them before we can go on to something we like better. It is on days like this that we regret turning our back on Discipline and, if nasty jobs are bad enough, we promise ourselves that we will be reformed characters in future and never again will we let things slide.

When we finally finish nasty jobs and turn our minds to more pleasant things, it does not take long for our resolution to waver; we forget our faithful friend, Discipline, and start to slouch again, tucking those nasty jobs away for later while we hang out with those no-good characters Slovenliness and Procrastination. Before we know it, we are back facing same mountain.

Never forget that Discipline is your true friend. He will forgive you if you forget to invite him around for a while and he will help you sort out any mess you made in his absence. No fair weather friend he: no matter how often you shun him or just plain forget him, Discipline will always be there for you, ready to help you make a fresh start.

This is one of a series of articles published by author, Elaine Currie, BA(Hons) at http://www.Hunting Venus.com Subscribe to Online Profit Course newsletter by mailto:huntingvenus@SubscribeMeNow.com 100’s of free tips and advice on working from home. You may republish this article only in its entirety and with all hyperlinks intact.

First, I divided my marketing "backyard" into geographically distinct territories based on proximity to me as well as likelihood of interest. Then I developed a marketing approach for each region, noting that "selling" points for my book were likely to be subtly different in each market. I then researched media and other means of outreach within each territory, including local newspaper, radio stations, and even retail outlets. Lastly, I put my plan into operation a little over three weeks ago, starting with region containing my former hometown.

* RIPPLE EFFECT

The immediate result was a 750-word article and full-color picture on back page of local weekly newspaper--an article that included my Web site URL and publicity for a book-signing at a local retailer. I also garnered additional publicity for book-signing in two regional daily newspapers.

The book signing activity was brisk, sales through my Web site picked up, and I received a special order from Borders. All-in-all, not too shabby a result from just one well-targeted press release to a local market.

So, while Web opens up whole world, don't lose sight of your backyard and don't lose sight of more traditional marketing methods to bring your product or service directly to a specific audience.

As youngsters we first learned to walk by taking tiny steps--tiny steps that soon became confident strides. The same can be said of our marketing: by starting out as a big fish in a small pond, your "pond" is sure grow as each tiny "splash" you make sends out yet another concentric ripple.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Copyright (c) 2004 by Matt McGovern--All rights reserved.