Digital Products Business News: WHEN YOUR MARKETING NEEDS HELP

Everyone needs a little help from time to time, and that's certainly true about marketing and sales. Most self-employed professionals are not experts at marketing, and when they are, it's often difficult to be an expert on your own behalf. Here are five signs that maybe your marketing and selling needs some help.

You don't know what to do. Maybe you have too many options in front of you, and don't know which one to pick. Or perhaps you feel like you don't know enough to make the right choices. Or you're new in business, and don't have a clue where to start.
You don't know how to do something (or don't want to do it). You may not be an expert at building websites or writing copy or having sales conversations. Or you may know exactly how to set up a blog or lay out a postcard, but you'd rather not spend your time that way.
What you're doing isn't working. You've been marketing or selling in a particular way for some time, but you're not seeing the results you want. Or it seems like something has changed, and your old ways of marketing aren't working like they used to.
You're not getting it done. You may know exactly what to do and how to do it. But it's just not happening, or not happening fast enough. Perhaps you have challenges with time management or your inner critic. Or you just need another pair of hands.
It feels like a struggle. No matter what your situation is, if marketing and selling always feels like you're struggling, you could probably benefit from some advice, perspective, or hands-on assistance.

If it seems like it might be time for you to find some marketing help, here are five ways to get the help you need.

Hire a pro. Professionals exist for any area of marketing and selling you might need help with. They can advise you, coach you, or do work on your behalf. If you fear you can't afford professional help, consider this. If a few hours of help could bring you more business quickly, wouldn't that be worth paying for? Professional help might not be as expensive as you think. Check out services like oDesk, Fiverr, or Google Helpouts to find affordable experts. (And see our special Google Helpouts offer.)
Take a class. It's easier than ever to learn any skills you might need to get better at selling or marketing. If you can't find the type of class you need in your local area (or don't have the time to get to one), you can take a class on your phone or computer. For local classes, look at Meetup, a nearby university, or local entrepreneurship center (like the U.S. Small Business Administration). For virtual classes, see Marketing Profs University, or UniversalClass, and by all means consider the Get Clients Now! program.
Ask a friend. You may already know people who have all the answers you need, or can provide you with the perspective and support to overcome obstacles. Don't be afraid to ask friends and colleagues for help. If you feel you're imposing, offer something in return. Barter arrangements can often make qualified help affordable for both parties. Consider joining a mastermind group, success team, or action group where you can get ongoing help from your peers. Find a group via The Success Alliance, a local entrepreneurship center, or the Get Clients Now! Reader Community.
Watch a video. You can learn an amazing number of skills and techniques at your own pace by watching YouTube videos. Just search for any area of marketing or sales where you're having trouble, and set aside an hour or so to watch. Start with the recent Get Clients Now! video on How to Manage Your Sales Pipeline.
Read a book. Of course, I hope you'll start your learning about marketing and sales by reading my book Get Clients Now! But there are many other great titles available to help you, including David Newman's Do It! Marketing, Jill Konrath's SNAP Selling, and Bob Burg's Endless Referrals.