Seriously, what IS stopping you from effectively marketing your small business? Because chances are you aren’t.

I say this not to come down on you, but because it’s the reality. Most entrepreneurs, particularly solo-entrepreneurs, are so strapped for time and money their marketing gets the short end of the stick. And their business growth is too slow as a result.

All too often, when I talk to clients, I find out they know what they really should be doing to market and grow their business – whether it’s writing regular blog posts and ezines, doing social networking, attending live networking meetings, or even just calling past clients to check in.

The problem is they have a whole list of “reasons” for why they can’t do whatever it is.

It might be lack of time, money or know how. But you can get around all of these hurdles with a little creativity and effort.

The truth is, most people have some kind of internal blocks that keep them from taking action consistently. So they come up with reasons why it won’t work or they can’t do it.

Reasons like…

• “Oh, I could never email people a regular newsletter…That would be rude and intrusive.”
• “I just don’t like social networking.”
• “I don’t understand Facebook or what it could possibly do for my business.”
• “Fliers would never work with my type of clients.”
• “I can’t stand going and selling myself to a bunch of strangers who aren’t interested.”
• “I don’t have time to write a regular ezine, let alone blog posts every week.”
• “My employees would never get on board and do that.”

This list could go on and on. But what it really boils down to is, whatever the reasoning, you’re holding yourself back from success. And you don’t have to.

Below are two simple steps you can take to move past your marketing roadblock in a jiffy…

1) The next time you find yourself thinking, “That’s a great idea, but I could never do _________ because…” stop yourself. Because if you say you can’t do something then you’re right.

2) Then ask yourself “How could I make that happen?”

When you reframe the statement into this question you open the doors of possibility and a solution can be found.

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About the Author: Practical Marketing Expert Stacy Karacostas, founder of SuccessStream Sales & Marketing Solutions, specializes in taking the stress, struggle and confusion out of growing your small business. She's the author of the 2-page marketing plan workbook Putting Your Business on the Road to Success, and The Small Business Website Bible. Stacy also writes the fun and informative Marketing Junkie blog and Bright Ideas weekly newsletter. For more practical, business-building wisdom help yourself to a copy of her free report The 7 Deadliest Small Business Marketing Sins... Are You Guilty?