As the New Year has started, many business owners use this time to reflect on the previous year and set goals and directions for the following year.  

The last three years we have been in what the media calls "The Great Recession” — I can't disagree with that statement at all. since I live in South Florida. I am optimistic that CNN News is reporting we are expected to add 170,000 jobs to the work force each month and Iowa reported unemployment at 5.7% for the month of December.   

There are a lot of positive indicators that the recession is over and that 2012 is going to be a great year for people in business and it is also going to be a terrific year for people starting new businesses

We are aware that home foreclosures are still happening and that the banks aren’t moving fast enough to foreclose on the homes. I think we all know someone who is still living in a house that they haven't made a payment on for a couple of years, or someone who wishes the bank would foreclose on it so the house is out of their name.

I suspect in 2012 we will see the banks wanting to get these loans off their books and acknowledge the losses. This leaves contractors in the mold remediation business with a lot of homes that have been neglected and perhaps filled with mold.

If anyone is looking to get into the mold removal industry, there is no better time like today. People are becoming more aware of their indoor air quality and how mold can impact their health. This is where business owners can really capitalize on the opportunity to expand their businesses or start a new venture.

Now that we are in early 2012, we have to ask ourselves what we are going to do to tweak our marketing efforts. Marketing should be looked at like a stock portfolio. How diversified are you?

Some questions to consider:
 
1.  Are you on the top of Google first page, organically?
2.  How many times is your company on the first page of the major search engines?  
3.  Are you doing Google ad words?
4.  Are you a paid member on Angie’s list, Yelp, etc.?
5.   Do you use Service Magic?
6.   Are you blogging about a current job or charity event on a continuous basis?
7.   Are you using social network- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube channels?
8.   Do you have multiple impressions on the first page of Yahoo, Bing, and Google?

I think if you aren't saying “yes” to at least four of the above market strategies, then you aren't diversified enough.

Protect your business by investing good money by having a diverse market plan. By being diversified this will set you apart from your competition. And keep you on the cutting edge.  

Joe Akin graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, AL with a degree in nursing, and has since expanded his career to include working in multiple health care environments, specializing in education and training specifically for indoor air quality issues. Akin is currently working with Healthy Homes, Inc. (www.moldremoval.com) and concentrates on educating contractors and consumers alike about water damage, mold removal and remediation issues. He can be reached at Joe@moldremoval.com.