Speak to any business coach or productivity expert about one thing business owners can do to save time, reduce stress, and improve their overall quality of life and many would say, “learn to delegate.” 

Delegation is difficult for many small- and medium-sized business owners because from the very start, they oversee every small detail. Trusting someone to help you operate your business is not too dissimilar from trusting someone to watch your child.

For many business owners, it is easier for us to just do the work ourselves than go through the emotional trauma of a) admitting that you need help and b) trusting that anyone else can understand your vision and live up to your expectations.

The truth is, though, that if you wish to grow your business while maintaining any measure of sanity, you need to ask for help. 

And one of the best places to start asking for help is with marketing, since failing to market your business is not an option. And the fact is, if you?re looking at marketing companies and for marketing guides, you probably already need help.

Here are seven signs that can indicate you are ready to ask for help: 

Your Sales Have Stagnated

This is probably the most common motivating factor to begin looking for marketing help. Maybe your sales have stalled or you feel you have peaked. You have to find something to get over that peak and get the word out about your business to get people in the door or get your phone ringing. A marketer can help you get over that hump. 

You Have Trouble Putting Your UVP In Marketing Terms

Your unique value proposition, or UVP, is what sets you apart from your competitors. It is what you provide that your competitors do not or cannot. You probably already know what that is, but a trained marketing professional can help you put it in a way that attracts new customers or clients. 

You?re Unsure If You Are Targeting the Right Audience

Knowing and targeting the right audience is crucial to marketing success. A lot of time, money, and effort can be wasted by not properly defining your ideal customer. Marketers are trained to help you narrow down and define your target audience so you can promote your services and/or products directly to them.

You Do Not Know What Marketing Channels to Use

There is no shortage of options when it comes to spreading the message about your business and what it can do for others: email, website, social media, or a combination thereof. A marketer can help you identify where your target audience gets most of their information so when you share you message, you are speaking directly to them. 

You Have No Idea Where to Get Started With Marketing Content

Marketing content is place where many business owners get tripped up. Aside from a lack of time, determining the types of content to develop can be difficult. A marketer will be able to help you create a detailed plan to develop and publish content that addresses the needs of your target audience.

You?re Not Sure How to Tell What Is And Is Not Working

I like to say that there is no ?set it and forget it? option when it comes to marketing. To be able to promote your business effectively and efficiently, you need to be able to evaluate your current marketing to determine how and where you can improve. A trained marketing professional will help with the evaluation process so you can achieve the most improvement possible. 

You Are Unsure About What to Do Next

Sometimes you are able to pinpoint the reason you need help. Other times, you just feel lost. That is okay. I believe it happens to every business owner at some point on their journey to success, and I like to think that it is part of the process. If you feel lost when it comes to marketing, then ask for help! 

I know that hearing a marketing expert say you need help with marketing is akin to a dentist saying you need to visit him or her more often. But this doesn?t change the fact that, in order to grow your business, you need to promote it. 

Even if money is your objection to getting marketing help, my question to you is: If you are not willing to invest in your dream, can you really ask anyone to invest in what you are selling?