Did you see a new marketing method recently either at your home, or maybe online? Maybe you learned something you never thought to do, and you're dying to give it a try? Or did you speak to your friend, who told you about his friend who used this new and totally 'fail-safe' approach to marketing that made him thousands of dollars in a day? Why is it that you can never MEET this 'friend'?

It's a tough thing not to pay attention to those few people who make a lot of noise. They talk about ideas that promise big returns with almost no work, in almost no time. It sounds great, but unfortunately, as you know more often than than not those big dreamy techniques provide little more than deflated results, and a deflated wallet.

You see those big promises in certain markets especially. There's some new marketing technique that nobody has ever heard of, and supposedly it gives you such a big return because of this new angle that you and others like you are doing everything in your power not to just sign up and fork over the cash right then and there! But this can be dangerous to your bottom line or even your entire business.

Whenever you try out a new marketing idea, it's important to proceed with caution.

Here are The Select 7 Marketing Tips:

1. Not broken? Don't fix it.

If you've been in business. You've been making money and bringing clients to yourself using your own methods of marketing. Don't just stop everything and throw it all away if you read something new. It sounds crazy but people actually trash their entire marketing plan if they get caught up in big money promises.

Trying to augment it, or improve upon it is fine, but abandoning it altogether is insane.

2. It's OK to be Testy.

Instead of total abandonment, test out your new ideas on a small percentage of the customers or prospects on your mailing list. About 10% will suffice. Study how that small portion responds, and then you can introduce the idea into more and more of your marketing as long as it proves to you that it's working. Test on some, see if it works, apply it to more. Repeat this process continuously.

3. Measure your results in order to determine what works best.

There's no reason to try something new if you're not able to see what works.

For example, I recently tested a different approach on a page of my website that is solely dedicated to generating subscriptions for my newsletter. To see if the new copy worked, I sent prospects coming from one online source to the new page and tested the old version of copy against the new. I then tweaked the version that worked best until I found a balance that got the best response from my target audience of small business owners.

4. Marketing is NOT Magic.

Just as there's no magic bullet in medicine. There's no magic bullet in marketing. People spend money developing, and customizing ideas to their specific budgets, markets, and industries. That's probably how you developed your own marketing plan. A marketing plan is developed over time. That's how it becomes a solid, successful, proven approach. It's a common marketing statistic that a potential customer will need to see or hear your ad up to 7 times before it starts to have an effect, so keep that in mind while you're waiting for responses. When you start trying out new ideas, don't set unrealistic goals to see a return. Good Marketing takes time, but as you know, when it's done well, IT WORKS!

5. Resist Big Money Claims

All too often I run into prospects who come to me with testimonials they found on some new marketing, business, or 'guru' site. They're so eager to join because of how GOOD the testimonials sound. 'I made Millions overnight'! It's a big claim, and it gets attention.

Now I'm not saying that those testimonials aren't as real and true as they're depicted. I have no way of knowing, and unfortunately, neither does anyone else who visits the website. Usually though, you don't go into a law office and see a testimonial of some guy's face screaming: 'We made millions!'. Instead you'll see plaques on the walls from professional institutions, which can be verified,or you'll see news clippings from big name cases, which can also be verified. Either way, it's important to remember that although many people make millions every week around the world, the VAST majority of people don't, no matter what field it is.

That doesn't mean you won't be a millionaire, it simply means, don't rush to join a site just because you see a picture and the phrase: 'I did it!'. Do your homework, and be smart.

6. Have a New Idea? Try it, but ...

DON'T stop the marketing that has gotten you results over time. Start small by introducing only using 10% of your marketing resources to this new venture. The other 90% should be left alone. When you start changing things, you want to make small moves because large ones can cause destabilization. Many business owners have unfortunately lost huge sums of money because they didn't just 'try out' a new marketing technique. They learned some new method and then through out EVERYTHING they had been doing for this new 'Magic Technique'. There's no reason to take away your safety net. Start small, and you won't miss the next big idea, but you won't be left behind either. Prudence pays.

7. Step Away, Come back.

Very simple. Don't rush.

It's definitely easier said than done. The fact is that reading about quick money, and big success is a huge temptation! It seems like everyone on this site, or in this book became a millionaire! Right? Your blood starts pumping. It's tough not to sign up right then and there. But don't. The precise reason 'businesses' use those blood-rushing stories and words is so you will make your decision from that emotionally-based feeling place, rather than a calm, attentive, intellectual-based place. It's tough, though, isn't it? Especially once you get started, so the important thing to do is give yourself some time.

Is it difficult to do? Yes. But when you're talking about business, when you're talking about money, when you're talking about your livelihood, you owe it to yourself and your family to make a smart, educated, calculated decision. So let a few days pass, even 2 or 3 will do. It'll still be there. Do a bit of research and then make your choice.

Recap:

In any business, changing your marketing methods will not only be important to stay on top of new techniques, it's VITAL that you alter things as the economy, prices, and our culture changes. You're always going to be learning, but when you implement new concepts, be safe - protect your business. Do your homework, and talk to people you KNOW are successful. Make small changes and go with the ones that experience shows you are working. That's the only true way to build a solid marketing portfolio.