Improving your chances to succeed in the advertising and marketing business in Puerto Rico, has been your priority for a while. I bet you have done everything in your power to overcome the challenges granted by the global economy. You've redesigned your credentials presentation and your website; engaged your team to deliver great service and big ideas; and, like everyone else, streamlined your expenses. Still, you stay up at night asking yourself… "Is there anything ELSE I can do to improve my business ASAP?"
The answer is YES.
As I've witnessed over the last 18 months, working with advertising clients and agencies in Puerto Rico, you can stop begging for discounts in services such as copywriting and still make a profit. Discounts provide a temporary relief allowing you to meet your client's needs and cover your costs; but unless you work for charity, relying on favors and cheap services will only perpetuate your current situation.
Doubtful? Think about the time you invest searching for better priced products or services. How many times have you ran, jump or fought to save a client a buck or two, just to end up reporting those hours as overhead or administrative? Have you seen a significant increase in your ROI or is it only helping you survive?
Well, you are not alone. Like many people I know you can stop being a survivor and start enjoying the perks of a winner status. All you have to do is add "making a mental shift" to your to-do list.
The following are 4 ways to put your thoughts on the right track.
Think progression, NOT recession
Any marathon runner would tell you that looking back in the middle of a race will get you off track, make you lose your pace and miss the finish line. This means that every minute you spend talking and even thinking about how awful things are (or were) will keep you from moving forward to your goals. Instead, think about what you've done to change your situation and be proud of it.
Praise and bless the things you like as if you have earned them already
If what most gurus say is true, that your reality mirrors your mindset, operating from a scarcity mentality will only keep you from achieving the desired results. Have you ever caught yourself resenting how others have all the luck (i.e. resources or connections), while you have to work hard? These thoughts are only reinforcing the fact that you don't have what it takes to succeed. And, I'm sure this is not entirely true. The best way to counteract these sabotaging thoughts is to make a shift and truly believe that it's only a matter of time. The success you see in others is like any piece of clothing you've ever ordered from a catalog. You don't have it in your possession yet, but it's yours. It's on its way! So start thinking about what you will do with it when it arrives.
Success is NOT about hard work, but about the RIGHT work
Those who think that working hard is the key to success will certainly work hard to get there. But there's no universal law that requires long hours and lots of resources to be successful. The only reason some people achieve the desired results earlier in the game is that they know what needs to be done (and how), and when they don't, they ask for reinforcement. For example: In the past, I've been hired by clients to do some simple copywriting that they have done before by themselves or with their company resources. As they told me at the end of the process, they found that the amount of time and resources ($$$) they invested before turned out to be higher than what they pay for my services. The truth is that even when they paid full price, they were able to charge their traditional fees to their clients (higher than mine) and dedicate their own free time and/or resources to do additional billable work.
Be thankful
Yes, you've made all the right moves to improve your business. So, it's about time to stop whining for the lack of results and start appreciating the good things coming your way. Whether you want new clients, more work or money, if you have done all the right things soon you will see them. Like most new moms usually say, once the baby is born it's all about non-stop work and pure joy so the waiting period is the only time you will have to write the thank you notes. THIS is your time to be grateful.
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The author is a Freelance Copywriter and Strategic Idea Planner with over 15 years of experience. Send your information request to Lizanne@pickmybrain-pr.com.
