Business by Design this month suggests how you can double your dollars as a design professional.

THIS MONTH
+ Do the Math
+ Bigger Sales
+ Repeat Business
+ Moneysaving Marketing (cont.)

Do the Math
20 per cent more customers.
20 per cent bigger sales.
40 per cent more repeat business.

That's all it takes to double your income, according to sales consultant Bob Leduc(BobLeduc.com). Not magic, not miracles, just math.

Here's how to come up with those numbers:

More Customers.

Write. Submit articles and news releases to key publications.
Speak. Present seminars, classes, and workships to those you seek to influence.
Maximize your message. Add your 100 word "only" commercial( "I'm the only local designer who...") to your voicemail, email and marketing materials
Pump up your portfolio. Include a bio sheet, service list, photos, testimonials, and more.
Align yourself. Collaborate with allied pros,vendors and suppliers,etc

Bigger Sales
Aim higher.Promote yourself to bigger clients with deeper pockets
Watch the clock. Bill for your time. All of your time. All of the time.
Charge more. Boost your prices, markups and margins by 40 per cent.
Go high end. Offer higher priced services and product lines.
Upsell. Ask about additional problems -- and offer solutions.

Repeat Business
Offer Frequent Buyer awards. Provide incentives and specials to your best clients.
Smile & dial. Call three former clients each day.
Keep connected. Provide clients with a monthly newsletter or tip sheet.
Hold focus groups. Ask top clients how and when you can continue serving them.
Underpromise. Overdeliver. Offer customer service that exceeds the need.

Moneysaving Marketing (cont.)
To last month's list of economical marketing strategies, add this: use the back of your business card.

Marketing guru Tom Letourneau (www.TomSpeaks.net) offers 15 ways to use the back of your card. Among things he recommends you include: rates or testimonials or a list of your products and services.