Jim Connolly Marketing

  • Home
  • About
    • About Jim Connolly
    • Jim’s small business marketing newsletter
    • Top Marketing Tips for 2026
    • Privacy Policy
    • How I use cookies
    • Contact
    • Disclosure
  • Let’s Grow Your Business

Here’s a better way to grow your business

Updated January 2024

By Jim Connolly | January 19, 2024

immediate marketing results

Photo credit: Bruce Mars

There’s a better way to market your business. I’m going to share it with you today. Read this short message to the end, because it is not what you think it’s going to be.

Agreed?

Let’s go!

For your marketing to succeed, you need to focus like a laser on your major business growth goal or goals. For this exercise, your business goals should be expressed in numbers.

For example: To increase your sales in 2024 by 200%.

That goal becomes your focus. Because as you’re about to find out, that focus is what leads you to making the right marketing decisions. It guides you toward engaging in the correct marketing activities.

But first, there’s a problem you need to overcome.

When I speak with, and receive emails from small business owners, the vast majority are focused on improving a part, or parts, of their marketing. Things like.

  • Better email open rates.
  • Improved SEO.
  • Linkedin training.
  • More subscribers.
  • A better sales funnel.
  • More effective ads.
  • A bigger list.
  • More client enquiries.
  • A bigger social network.

In this example, the correct marketing activities are not on that list. That’s because small business owners have never heard of them or are unaware how they work. So, they focus on what they have heard of and work hard. By focusing on the wrong thing, they take the wrong action.

Here’s what they need to focus on.

  • A 200% increase in sales by the end of 2024.

Armed with that measurable goal and timescale, they are free to consider and select the best options. (I list a handful in a moment). As you’ll see, there are lots of massively better alternatives.

Here’s just one example I often use with clients, to achieve far better outcomes, and faster.

Endorsed relationships

You can smash an annual financial goal using what I call endorsed relationships. An endorsed relationship is where you form a relationship with a suitable business owner or company, and they endorse (or recommend) you, your products or services to their customers.

Because their customers trust them, their recommendation can lead to spectacularly high conversion rates. And it happens fast. Of course, in return, you do the same for them. Your ‘marketing’ task is simply to identify and connect with a handful of potential endorsed relationship partners.

Depending on the annual financial goal you have for your business, it’s possible to achieve it with just a few, good, endorsed relationships. Sure, you need to know the correct way to do this, but when you get it right, it’s exceptionally powerful. It also frees you up from being bogged down with marketing. I know, right!

Freedom to grow your business

If you focus on smashing your specific goals, you’re free to benefit from lots of other wonderful opportunities like endorsed relationships. Here’s a handful.

  • Compound marketing.
  • Joint ventures.
  • Prospect bridges.
  • Becoming a zero competition provider. (I absolutely love this one)
  • Introducer networks.
  • … and the other, similarly great ways to transform your business results.

So don’t simply look for ways to improve what isn’t working.

Focus instead on your outcome — your defined, numeric business goals for 2024. Because there are vastly more powerful tactics available to you, which have nothing to do with typical marketing. You’ll then be free to think, plan and grow the business you always wanted. With none of the marketing limitations that have held you back.

IMPORTANT: If you want to make more sales, boost your profits and grow an amazing business, this will help you!

Creative Marketing Tips

Get my best ideas delivered direct to your inbox. Just add your email below.

You can unsubscribe at any time. I respect your privacy.

Jim Connolly

Hi! I'm Jim Connolly and I help small business owners to increase sales, boost their profits and build amazing businesses. Read more here.

Featured by

marketing advice, marketing help

Site sponsor

packaging consultancy

Categories

  • AI (6)
  • Blogging (407)
  • Business development (492)
  • Copywriting (307)
  • Email marketing & mail shots (187)
  • General marketing (1,664)
  • Professional development (544)
  • Social media marketing (358)

Hosting provider

20i hosting

Search

Recent posts

  • Traditional marketing is dead July 27, 2026
  • The stupid game July 13, 2026
  • Hey! Not so fast! July 6, 2026
  • How to get your fees right June 23, 2026
  • A 3 shot espresso for your business June 17, 2026
  • Unproductive? You’re probably just bored June 12, 2026
  • Make AI grow your business June 8, 2026
  • It motivates people to take action, now June 4, 2026
  • Is your business one of the 50% that prospects now avoid? Probably! May 30, 2026
  • Give your best ideas away for free. Here’s why May 12, 2026
  • AI is wiping out your competitors. Now take their market share May 5, 2026
  • Powerful words for your marketing toolbox. Part 2 April 29, 2026
  • Your social media is sending an important message April 27, 2026
  • When was the last time? April 23, 2026
  • Jim, why are my sales numbers down? April 20, 2026
  • The secret sauce you were looking for, is here April 15, 2026
  • A few things worth learning, from the top small businesses April 9, 2026
  • Be optimistic. Because all this is true April 2, 2026
  • Why your audience isn’t growing in 2026 March 27, 2026
  • This marketing idea costs nothing and is extremely effective March 25, 2026

Creative Thinking?

My Creative Thinking Website
  • Home
  • About
  • Let’s Grow Your Business

Copyright © 2026 Jim Connolly