The book starts by explaining the 6 different marketing strategies that are available to most businesses and their effectiveness. These six strategies are - 1. Direct contact and follow up, 2. Networking and referral building, 3. Public Speaking, 4. Writing and Publicity, 5. Promotional Events, and 6. Advertising in that order. The next two chapters focus on the marketing/sales cycle and setting your own goals. The book then launches into outlining 'The System' - their 28 day marketing program that is geared towards increasing your bottom line. The last part of the book focuses on strategies for specific problems you may be running into with implementing the system. The whole book is just 10 chapters in about 200 pages. Very efficient and effective in getting results.

There are a lot of worksheets throughout the book that the reader can use. This book is most effective when you use it with the help of a business coach. There is a lot more to becoming successful in sales & marketing than just understanding the basic theory. Even though the book does a great job of arming you with detailed knowledge and incredible confidence, you still need someone with experience to guide you through this process to get the best results.

This 28 day program will be slightly different for everyone who follows it because of the unique situation you may be in. But if repeated several times, you will see better and better results. The best part about the book is that it demystefies sales & marketing and gives you a systematic approach that you can follow. It is as simple as that. And, you will know quickly if the system works for you (it's only a 28 day commitment). When I read the book, I was a bit taken aback thinking 'Is this it? Is it that simple?'. I spent a little time trying to compare the book to the recognized text books in the field and finally decided to just put it to the test myself. I tried a few things that the book recommended and saw instant results!

Sure, there is more to sales & marketing and you will discover it over time with experience (as it applies to your specific business). But no other book gives you this much information in such a short time. Good luck with your business and definitely seek the assistance of a business coach!

49 of 50 found the following review helpful:


Create an action plan that gets results!  Nov 30, 2003 By H. David Peirce "Zossima"
I hate marketing. I can write a marketing plan that is as good as they come, but when it comes to doing the marketing, I absolutely can't stand it. It scares me. This book avoids all the fluff of the marketing plans that the MBA books teach you to write. Instead, Hayden gets down to the basics of creating an action plan that will take you from where you are right now to one giant step closer to closing a big sale in 30 days.

The process is simple: 1) Decide where you are stuck. You may be stuck getting prospects or following up, for example. 2) Decide which marketing strategies you will use. THE STRATEGIES YOU CHOOSE WILL DEPEND ON WHERE YOU ARE STUCK IN YOUR MARKETING PROCESS AND ON YOUR OWN TALENTS AND INTERESTS. You may, for instance, pursue a strategy of public speaking, if your goal is to build your contact list. 3) Set your long-term and 30-day goals. 4) Create a list of daily actions for the 30 days.

I was so enthused to have something so simple (1 page) yet more concrete than any 20-page plan I'd ever written that I couldn't help but dive in.

50 of 52 found the following review helpful:


Bravo! Hayden delivers a self-marketing solution that works!  May 27, 1999 By Teacher-mk
C.J. Hayden provides an efficient, user-friendly, step-by-step program that anyone can customize and follow. It leaves postulating and theorizing to those who want to simply talk about self-promotion and marketing, and pragmatically zeros in on creating the action plan needed to materialize success. I know, because I tried the program to increase my own client base and it worked. I also introduced the program to a number of my small business clients, and we all want to thank C.J. for this significant contribution to courageous entrepreneurs everywhere!

41 of 43 found the following review helpful:


More than Just a Formula  Jul 11, 2001 By Roberta Hill
I like models and charts but I shy away from set formulas or programs.  So, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Get Clients Now! offers something for everyone. It seems a little bit like the new Weight Watchers Program with the concept of arranging your points in a manner that best suits your current goals. In fact, C. J. Haden uses the concept of a daily meal plan as part of the 280 day marketing plan.

First, Hayden identifies the six key strategies for marketing and then lists about 20 specific actions under each of the six strategies. These actions represent the various activities you select to develop your own marketing plan. The plan itself has three sections: Appetizers - one or two activities to help create success. Main Course - seven or eight activities to focus on getting business. Dessert - one activity to take care of yourself.

Is this a simplistic formula? Perhaps. But you get to pick what you want to do and accomplish in a straight forward way. It is easy to track by using the worksheets. What I really like is that when you complete the cycle, you can go back, set new targets or areas to work on and begin the 28 day program again.

Am I going to do it? Well, I borrowed this book and then ordered it on-line. By the time you are reading this, I am filling in the worksheets and beginning my own program.

28 of 28 found the following review helpful:


Tried and true  Oct 16, 2006 By Grace Durfee "coach"
As a self-employed service professional, I've read and bought numerous books on marketing. Get Clients NOW! is, by far, the one that's helped me the most. Back in 2000 when I launched my coaching business, I needed direction in how to best put myself out there to attract prospective clients. This book helped me focus on consistently implementing a few marketing strategies and a handful of effective actions instead of scattering myself thin, trying to do everything. As my schedule filled with clients, my challenge then became how to follow-up with prospects and potential referral partners. My needs changed as my business grew, but because Get Clients NOW! offers a flexible approach--you create a customized marketing plan based on your present goals and challenges--it's been able to support me in every stage.

Reading this book will give you hundreds of great ideas to help you market a service business. For best results, however, don't just read the book--commit to fully working the program. Fill out the action worksheet with your choice of marketing strategies, success ingredients and daily actions. Use the tracking worksheet and daily readings to help you stay in action. This is one book that, if followed, really delivers what it promises. You will Get Clients NOW!


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