Once you know how you want to position your company in marketplace and you have updated all of your materials, only thing left to do is present yourself to people who want what you have to sell. This may be a very different group of people than ones you've spent last year with. Many of us cut our marketing teeth at local chamber of commerce, but they can be full of small, one-person businesses that may not have need for services you want to provide.

The best thing to do is to identify what types of companies are going to be attracted to what you are providing. Are they of a certain size, a certain geographic location, a certain industry? Once you've identified parameters, it's time to determine how you are going to reach them. What associations do they belong to? Can you write articles for that association's newsletter? What networking groups do they attend? Can you join? Do they usually find their vendors from advertisements, referrals, or direct mail? Who else already provides services to them that could potentially provide you an opening into companies in exchange for a finder's fee or reciprocity (these are called Centers of Influence)? Develop contacts with marketing companies who could potentially bring you in as a subcontractor for their clients' marketing campaigns. Although, they will generally take a cut or mark up your services, perhaps, you'd enjoy focusing on building these relationships so in future you could focus just on graphic design aspect of your business, not client-building part.

This may seem like you are starting from ground zero as you pull away from those groups that you've been networking with during past year and begin again as a new member in new groups, but soon you will be reaping rewards of a thriving business working with people you like and doing what you want to do. What could be better?

Once you've established yourself in these new communities, you can't continue to spend half of your week trolling for new clients or you'll cap your income in relatively short order. Your next line of attack should be meeting some Centers of Influence. Read more about how to do this at: http://www.askthebizcoach.com/ezines/061802gettingclients.htm

Download a free copy of *50 Ways to Win New Clients* at: http://www.askthebizcoach.com/freebies.htm

However unpleasant this may seem it is normal. I am four years into my business venture and almost $100,000 in debt between business and personal expenses. I have sacrificed my good credit in name of my business. This year, I am finally making a steady salary of about $1,000 a month (which includes my second job). In any given week, I am still putting off creditors and trying to find ways to borrow from one account to pay off another.

Now back to H. Remember that part I mentioned about Happiness? I do believe in it. In fact, I believe in it more now than I did when I first started. I am in debt up to my neck but I have also learned more in four years of running my own business than I EVER learned in school. If I stand at top of mountain of my business I can see how far I have come. I allow myself moments of pride in my own accomplishments. I also allow myself to make mistakes and more importantly to forgive myself (and others) for them. A trait that is VERY necessary. Every day, I learn through my successes and mistakes how to run my business better and make better decisions. Furthermore, by nature of being an entrepreneur, I have been given opportunity to meet other entrepreneurs. These people are most incredible, gutsy and talented people I have ever had pleasure of meeting. I am proud to be a part of this team!

Will my current business succeed in long run? I have no guarantees. I believe it will because I have learned to believe in myself. However, if it doesn’t succeed I will pick myself up, dust off my clothes and get right back on that entrepreneurial horse again!