They sincerely believe it will be easy to generate hordes of customers standing in line to spend money. I really hate bursting their bubble. But, it's not going to happen that way.

Building a successful business is hard work. Most of that work will be devoted to finding customers. Finding customers will be your toughest job. You need a detailed strategy to attract number of paying customers required to meet your financial goals.

By trial and error over many years, I've developed a 5 step marketing strategy that enables me to launch a new product or service profitably every time. You can copy this system to launch your own new enterprise or to revive a floundering business.

STEP 1: Identify Your Target Market

The first step in developing your strategy is to isolate best target market for your product or service. Your sales efforts will be most effective if you focus on a group of prospects with common characteristics and similar problems.

Start by defining on paper your ideal customer or client. List all of characteristics you expect to find in good customers or clients. Be sure to include characteristics that make your product or service valuable to them. Then, use this list to identify a target market. Define your target market in writing.

STEP 2: Find Your Most Appealing Customer Benefit

Exactly what is most compelling problem you can solve for prospects in your target market? Why is your product or service best solution to their problem? Your answers to these 2 questions reveal customer benefit(s) to stress in your sales approach.

STEP 3: Develop A Few Motivating Offers

The most successful businesses are 'classy' businesses. You can turn an ordinary company or office into one by simply adding a touch of class to it.

Examples: > use designer letterhead and business cards > provide limousine service for visiting clients > offer an employee profit-sharing plan > put plants in brass containers > have a leather sofa in waiting room

TIP 2 - Develop An Efficiency Plan

The ideal company or office should be super efficient. Study all processing areas and create systems that work really well. Do this by using custom forms and by entering each task into a 'task manual'. Then monitor systems and make minor improvements.

TIP 3 - Become Environmentally-Friendly

To gain admiration from your customers or clients, make your company or office environmentally-friendly. Take a tour and make notes of everything that could be improved. Then gradually implement changes. Publicize your environmental efforts or commitment in product brochures.

Examples: > recycle fine paper > use bio-degradable products > avoid animal testing > use goods made with recycled material when manufacturing > practice proper disposal of hazardous material

TIP 4 - Implement Salary Supplements

Nothing makes an employee more enthusiastic than having 'perks' in their employment. As well as a good salary, offer occasional salary supplements.

Examples: > paid training courses > bonuses from new business brought in > rewards for useable ideas > transportation costs > word-related competitions with terrific prizes

TIP 5 - Design Your Own Forms