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If sales are flat or simply not growing fast enough at your company, consider how you can build on the foundation. Ask yourself these questions:

• What products or services would my existing customer base like to see?
• What products or services could lure in new clients?
• What products or services are being offered by my competitors?
• How can I implement my new offerings?
• How will the new offerings affect my bottom line?

Here are ten ideas to consider:

1. Offer consulting services in your area of expertise.
2. Add a new line of products.
3. Form an alliance with another business.
4. Sell advertising on your website, in your e-zine or at your place of business.
5. Launch a second business that is complimentary to your primary business.
6. Offer new services and outsource them to contractors.
7. Create a subscription-based offering such as a newsletter or mentor program.
8. Create your own products for resale.
9. Train others to run a business likes yours.
10. Publish books, e-books or other information products.

Not only can the introduction of a new product or service increase your bottom line, but it can boost exposure for your business. Since most people need to be exposed to a product or service at least eight times before they pull out their wallets and buy, your business needs to be seen everywhere. New products and services mean new methods of advertising and the potential to expand your customer base.

Implementing a new revenue strategy is not the only way to grow a business. You need careful planning, capital, and a good marketing plan. Even the biggest companies started out small so with a little ingenuity and some careful planning, your business could be the next success story.

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Stephanie Chandler is a small business expert and author of "From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur: Make Money With Books, E-books and Information Products" (John Wiley & Sons) and "The Business Startup Checklist and Planning Guide" (Aventine Press). Visit her website at www.BusinessInfoGuide.com to access hundreds of resources for entrepreneurs.

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Second Article

Marketing - The Life Blood Of Any Business

by: Andrea Lea Churchill FWS Marketing

Marketing is a broad business subject that encompasses a range of activities including advertising, public relations, sales, and promotions. Generally, you will find that people often confuse sales with marketing, when in fact the two are quite different. Marketing is all about getting a product or service into the market, promoting it, influencing behavior, and encouraging sales turnover. Sales, quite distinctly, is the actual transaction of getting a product or service into the hands of your customers.

With so many messages being propelled towards all of us these days, it is more critical than ever for a company to get their product noticed. This means marketers have evolved to being creative. Marketing is not an exact science and managers who know little about it are afraid that the marketing staff within their firm is often wasting valuable money. The truth is that marketing is an investment that always pays off; it just may come back in ways that are not necessarily measurable. So even though one campaign may bring moderate results, another will bring astonishing profits.

Companies not committed to a marketing program are at a disadvantage in today's business world. Those who are still focused on their products, rather than their customers, are doomed to experience lots of failure. Knowing what your clients' expectations are and working to exceed them is the key to ultimate business success.

There are millions of marketing ideas just waiting to be created. If you need to generate ideas, start by brainstorming on paper or on the computer. One small idea generally leads to many other ones. Alternatively you can do an internet search for specific marketing ideas you are wanting to use in your marketing program. If you lack the time or talent to be creative and generate your own marketing ideas, there are marketing companies that can assist you to build a complete marketing strategy.

When you are planning your marketing program, keep in mind the hurdles you may face, and think of ways to eliminate them. Some things that may hold you back from implementing your marketing ideas include budget shortfalls, lack of skill, or being understaffed. Think of ways around this as you plan your strategy for the future.

Finally, think about the specific steps that you can use in a marketing campaign. Your marketing actions might include advertising, sponsorship, branding, and public relations. Or, you may want to stick with direct mail, product packaging and creating promotional materials such as caps or pens. Whatever method you choose, make sure you are pointing excited energy in that direction. It will be reflected in the results!

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Andrea Lea Churchill has created a resource site FWS Marketing . Feel free to submit an article if you would like to contribute.

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