I get the question posed in the title of this post often so I have two questions myself to preface the answer – How long do you plan to be in business? and, How long does it take to build a really high quality home?

See, the problem with this question is it is based in the “marketing idea of the week” syndrome that pervades all too many small businesses. I know you need customers, I know you need more business, but marketing is not an event, it’s a business long practice.

If you are just starting out or focusing on growth then you should take the time and effort to build the necessary foundation of an ideal target client and core message of difference. Then you can put in motion an increasing series of lead generation tactics to spread that core message.

Done properly, it is likely going to take six months to a year for you to see the kind of long term momentum that you want. The kind of momentum that has people talking about you and commenting that they see you everywhere. Marketing is a living and evolving system.

If your are a business owner the message is think long term, build the system and work the system. If you are a small business coach or consultant the message is set the proper expectations with your clients.