[Reposted due to database problem]

I've never been the type to advocate aiming low, but it's become clear over time that when it comes to marketing, thinking smaller really is better, at least when you're a small-business owner trying to accomplish all of your marketing on your own.

Now, before I incite a riot here <g>, I should clarify that I don't mean you shouldn't set your sights high in terms of the success you plan to achieve with your small business. Quite the contrary -- shoot for the sky!

But when it comes to your marketing techniques, it has been my experience that if you really concentrate on a handful of different marketing activities, you will get better results and get less burned out than if you try out 20 of the best techniques.

In other words, choose a small number of tactics (as in 3 or 4), try each one out, test it, optimize it and repeat the process. Start with simple marketing tactics that have a small learning curve. Once you've got these promotional activities underway, choose a slightly more complex technique and optimize it until it works its best.

The "think small" technique works for just about any type of marketing you do -- and especially Internet marketing, which typically can be done without spending a lot.