Before redoing or beginning any new marketing piece it's important you take the time to think about what role it's going to play in your sales process.

Always remember every marketing piece, from your business card to a simple flyer you hand out at events, should move a prospect forward in your sales cycle.

Let's look at a few ways you may be "moving a prospect forward" and some marketing tools that may help you do that...

Introducing yourself - Business cards, advertisements, yellow page ads, post cards

Understanding what you do and how you help people - Brochure, Web site

Getting permission to market to them - any of these

Buying something - Web site, sales letter

Earning their trust - Web site, brochure

Creating/strengthening a relationship - Ezine, post card

Getting their attention - Flyer, advertisement, classified ad

Provide information - Brochure, ezine, free report, post card

Your sales cycle may be long or short depending on what you do. You may also use the same medium, like your web site, to move people forward in different places of the sales cycle. The bottom line is you have to move people closer to buying from you.

Understand that eliminating them as prospects is moving them forward too. You may get a no for an answer and that is ok. The point is you know where you stand and can move on to another prospect.

Let's look at an example.

Let's say your boss decides you need a new brochure. The one you have is old and she knows you are running low on supplies so now is a good time to redo them.

Before you jump in and decide to simply redecorate the piece, look at what you've been using these brochures for. Have you been handing then out at speaking events or dropping them in the mail when leads come in?

If you ask the question "what action do I want the prospect to take" and "are my current methods working?" you will end up with a more productive piece. Also ask yourself "Is this the best way to get the prospect to take that action?" Are people doing what you want them to do?

Maybe redoing your brochure is a fine idea, but you find that placing them in like minded businesses in a plastic box and asking for a business card to get a free report is a better way to accomplish that goal.

Smart marketers don't just make a brochure to have one. It has a purpose. If you find you are having a hard time knowing what to put in your brochure you may not be totally clear on its purpose. Ask yourself these smart questions...

When will (or do I) use this?

What information do people need to know to move forward? In other words, what do people need to take away from this piece to come closer to working with me? It could be a sense of security. A feeling of trust. Information about how they can learn more about you.

Who will benefit from this piece? (the sales force, marketing, etc)

What do I want people to do next? (don't forget to ask them to do it)

Once you are clear about what you are trying to do, you can make an informed decision about if this is the right piece for that purpose.