"I don't have time to market." It's a common complaint from 
self-employed professionals. When you are the only one who can 
serve the clients, manage the business, and perform all the sales 
and marketing functions, time becomes the most precious commodity 
you have. How can you find time for marketing with so many other 
important priorities?

There are many time management techniques at your disposal, of 
course. You can defer tasks or delegate them, chunk down projects 
to smaller steps, and set aside time on your calendar for making 
calls, writing letters, or updating marketing materials. Perhaps 
you have already tried all those methods and discovered that time 
is still scarce.

Maybe the real answer is not to find more time for marketing, but 
to MAKE time. Every day, you take part in many time-consuming 
activities that don't include marketing. What if you could 
integrate marketing with all those things you are already doing? 
Here are some examples of how that can work:

1. Attending workshops, business mixers, and cultural events. 
Whenever you plan to attend an event like this, consider inviting a 
business contact to join you. Just extending the invitation will 
contribute to building a stronger relationship between you. If your 
contact decides to attend, you can often get to know each other 
better in a more relaxed way than meeting one-to-one.

2. Having lunch or coffee with a prospect or colleague. If you are 
already planning to take time meeting with someone, add a third or 
fourth person to the party. Those invited will usually appreciate 
the opportunity to make new contacts themselves, and you may find 
conversation flows more easily when there is a group.

3. Traveling to another city. Whether you are traveling for 
business or pleasure, arrange to meet for lunch or dinner with a 
client or colleague. On a business trip, this is usually much more 
enjoyable than dining alone. As a tourist, a meal you would be 
eating anyway takes no time out of your vacation schedule, plus 
you'll often get local tips about where to go and what to do.

4. Taking a walk, visiting the gym, and other forms of exercise. 
Meetings with business associates don't have to take place in the 
office or a restaurant. Invite someone to join you for a walk in 
the park, run around the track, or a game of tennis. You don't have 
to learn to play golf in order to get exercise and do business at 
the same time.

5. Reading an article. Any time you read an interesting article in 
the newspaper, a magazine, or online, think of three people you 
could send it to. Writing a short "thought-you-would-be-interested" 
note and forwarding the item will take only a moment, but can make 
a big impression on the recipient.

6. Shopping, dining, or running errands. Every time you leave your 
home or office, you meet new people. They are behind the counter at 
the office supply store, in line at the coffee shop, sitting at the 
next table, or shopping in the same aisle. Whenever you find 
yourself chatting with strangers, remember to introduce yourself by 
name and occupation. You'll be surprised to discover how often this 
will lead to a connection that can result in business.

7. Attending social events. The best business relationships often 
begin casually in social environments. Keep your business cards in 
your pocket when you attend a wedding, housewarming, holiday party, 
or your child's soccer game. After you ask, "How do you know our 
hosts?" or "Which child is yours?" make your next question, "What 
do you do?"

8. Relaxing. You may have a long list of marketing projects that 
will take time but not your full attention. Consider doubling up 
these mundane tasks with a fun activity or some pleasant company. 
Enter business cards into your contact database on your laptop at 
the beach. Make phone calls from the hot tub or a park bench. 
Review your prospect list while watching old movies or listening to 
music. Ask your kids to help you stuff and address envelopes. Take 
your project to a friend's house so the two of you can work 
together on marketing.

As you can see, there are many ways to include marketing activities 
in your busy life. So instead of wishing you had more time for 
marketing, why not make marketing a part of the time you are 
already spending?

C.J. Hayden is the author of Get Clients NOW! Thousands of business 
owners and salespeople have used her simple sales and marketing 
system to double or triple their income. Get a free copy of "Five 
Secrets to Finding All the Clients You'll Ever Need" at 
http://www.getclientsnow.com 

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