As your business grows, it can be easy to let your marketing get out of control. Your message may change as your business changes. This can leave your prospects feeling confused. Confusion leads to apathy and a decline in readers, subscribers and conversions and sales.

The good news is that a few steps can help you bring the shine and consistency back to your marketing message.

Step 1: Review Your Calls to Action

Generally there is a call to action on every piece of content that you publish. It may be as simple as a "read more" link. Or it may be a more advanced statement designed to motivate a purchase. Review your calls to action.

So you've taken the leap and created your own business, but now what do you do?

Even in this age of technology, the Internet can be a large, scary place for many people, but don't be intimidated. Even though there are many other sites competing for the attention of every Internet user, it's not that difficult to get noticed—if you're willing to put yourself out there.

Get Interviewed

These days, there's a podcast for just about any subject, and with millions of people choosing to listen, it's easy to see why landing an interview on a popular podcast can really drive traffic to your site.

If you want people to know what you are up to in your online business, shout it from the rooftop of Google. One way to do this is through the use of press releases to promote your website.

A press release serves many useful functions. It makes the news media aware of your business. If they are interested, you can end up gaining media exposure and your business will soar.

Additionally, because press releases are now published online, you can also generate incoming links, awareness and even visitors and sales. It pays to learn how to write a successful press release!

Step 1: Make It Newsworthy

When something exciting and new is going on in your business, this is a simple but effective way to let people in on the good news.

Some people love networking, but for others, the mere thought can make them break out in hives.

Still, you know that as a business owner, you’re going to have to get out there at some point, in some way, and meet actual live human beings in order for your business to succeed.

If networking is right up there with "root canal work" and "cleaning the garage" as "Things I'd Love to Avoid Forever," try implementing the following 11 tips this year so you can rock your networking and your business marketing efforts!

1. Take Stock and Figure Out Your (Main) Block

Whatever the main source of your discomfort, taking a few steps ahead of time to compensate for your insecurities helps you bolster confidence and walk into your event with your head high.

If it's your appearance, invest in a go-to outfit. If it’s your conversational skills, read up on a handful of current events just before you go. If you fear being a "newbie" among seasoned pros, craft a few questions you can ask about other people's careers.

Marketing is essentially the way that businesses communicate with their audience. It's how the word gets out about their products and services.

So what exactly is digital marketing?

It's essentially online marketing using a generally accepted specific set of marketing tools. In fact, digital marketing is trending right now in a big way. The world of technology is growing and changing every day, and businesses that don't take advantage of it are going to be playing catch-up or, worse, go by the wayside.

The good news is that it's easy for a solopreneur to take full advantage of the tools and benefits of digital marketing. You don't need to be a Silicon Valley start-up or a blue-chip corporation to use digital marketing to further your specific business goals.

Marketing is an essential aspect of any profitable business. If you want your business to grow, you have to invest in marketing.

However, finding the right tactics or combination of tactics can be a confusing process. Here's how to find the right marketing mix for your business.

Start Small and Stay Focused

Don't try to tackle several marketing tactics at once. Choose one tactic. Create a goal for that tactic and a plan to achieve that goal.

For example, if you want to drive traffic to your website, you might create a free report and advertise that free report using PPC (pay per click) ads. Your goal may be to get 1,000 subscribers. You’ll create a few ads to support that goal.

When you start small and stay focused, you're able to give your full attention to the success of your chosen marketing tactic.

One great way to get people talking about your business is to participate in interviews. Today there are a variety of different types of interviews you can get from online sources such as a podcasts, Blog Talk Radio hosts, YouTube channels and online interview series (telesummits).

Getting an interview is a great way to spread the word about your products and services, as well as establish yourself as an expert within your niche. Being interviewed can feel scary and as if you're out of control. But, it doesn't have to if you start out prepared. There is an art to it.

Know Your Goals and Objectives

Even though interviewers will have their own agenda about what they want to get out of interviewing you, it's best if you go into any interview with your own objectives. If you don't have an objective of your own, you could end up doing the interview for no benefit at all.

A great way to promote yourself as a solopreneur is to become an expert locally. It doesn't matter whether you have an online business or a brick-and-mortar business, being seen as a local, go-to expert will increase your share of business.

Here are 6 proven ways to promote yourself locally.

Speak to Your Local Audience in Your Blog

Create a blog that is focused on your local area within your niche. Use a lot of locally-focused keywords and talk directly to your local audience about your subject. You can use your blog as a repository for interviewing local people, writing information about your niche and educating the public about your niche.

Networking is one of the most effective strategies to both build and grow a business. Meeting the right people can practically ensure long-term success. Additionally, networking helps you learn and grow personally.

However, finding the right business networking groups online or offline can sometimes be a challenge. Here's how to go about it.

1. Search online. This probably seems like an apparent step and perhaps it’s one you’ve already taken. Simply type your industry and the words “organization” or “association” into your search bar and see what comes up. Often, you’ll hit the jackpot with dozens of top-level organizations to research.

2. Using the same technique, you can search for offline groups, as well. Many large networking groups like BNI offer local chapters. Additionally, you can search for your city or state along with your industry keywords or the keywords “business networking.”

For example, if you live in Charlotte, North Carolina, you might enter “Charlotte business networking” or “Charlotte North Carolina business networking.”

Online business owners tend to do most of their networking and marketing online. If you provide virtual services or sell products online, it stands to reason that you should be able to reach your target markets and make business connections via the World Wide Web.

But even in this age of electronic communication, there’s still a lot to be said for meeting people face to face.

That's the idea behind Meetup.com. Founded in 2001, Meetup allows anyone to form an online group that can BOTH collaborate online and meet in person. Some Meetups are centered around common interests or hobbies. But many are business oriented, facilitating networking and helping small business owners reach potential customers.

You can use Meetup to your advantage as a group member or a group leader. Here are some ideas.

Look for groups that are made up of members of your target market. For example, if you sell workout clothing, look for fitness Meetups in your area.

You may have a strong business idea and a great product, but are you doing everything you can to be seen by the right people? Increasing your visibility can change the way that potential customers see your business.

Visibility is the glue that holds all other strategies together when it comes to achieving success as a business owner. Each strategy gets your name out among other business owners, movers and shakers and potential clients. Being seen goes a long way with the word-of-mouth crowd.

Here are a few ways that you can increase your visibility.

How many marketing tactics are you using right now? What are the goals of these tactics? Have you taken the time to evaluate if they are working?

If you don't know the answer to these questions, it's time to streamline your marketing.

When solopreneurs first begin, they often try many different marketing strategies without having a clear understanding of what they do and what they offer. Even solopreneurs who started their business with a plan can find themselves marketing without rhyme or reason.

You try one marketing tactic, like Facebook, then you advertise in a magazine, then you send out an email to your list. None of it is organized, integrated or consistent with any type of plan.

It's time to streamline!

Networking is often what turns a small business into a thriving and prosperous business. Many companies hire a networking expert or coach. However, you can manage your networking on your own with a few simple steps.

Create Networking Goals

What do you want to achieve with your networking efforts? For example, do you want to create partnerships with other business owners? Do you want to broaden awareness of your brand or drive traffic to your website? Do you want to increase credibility? Decide what your goals are and then you can move onto the next step which is to plan how you're going to achieve your goals.

Choose Your Tactics

Once you have your goals, plan how you're going to achieve them.

Every marketing activity—and marketing plan—has four main phases that must ALL be addressed for it to be successful. One without the others will be like a chair missing one or more of its legs.

But before delving into Phase 1, it's important to do some serious thinking on the questions that form the foundation for all of your marketing.

• What do you provide in your business?
• How are you and the business different from your competition?
• What kind of results does each of your services or products provide?
• What are you as an entrepreneur passionate about?
• What are you incredibly good at?
• Who specifically are your products and services best for?

Write out answers to these kinds of questions and keep this as a resource for developing any of your marketing materials.

Online or off, networking takes a bit of skill and know-how. It’s not enough to show up or be present at networking events or on networking sites. You have to participate and take an active role. Here are 10 tips to network like a pro.

1. Ask Questions

When you meet people, whether you're at a networking event or just standing in line at the supermarket, ask questions about who they are, what they do and what they're interested in.

Asking questions accomplishes several important goals. It signals to the person you're speaking with that you are interested in them. People are automatically drawn to those who are interested in them. They'll like you and remember you. Asking questions also helps you learn more about this new person. It puts you in a position to help them out and to maybe gain a new associate or friend.

2. Have a Juicy Introduction Ready to Go

Your thirty-second "Here's who I am and this is what I do" speech should be conversational and invite curiosity, NOT sound like a canned script. Have an answer ready when people ask.