Define your image

Branding — the name and description you select for your product or service — is critical to keeping yourself on top of your buyers' minds.

I recommend: Sign up for a course in Guerrilla Marketing at NitroMarketing.com. Get real-world advice from a marketer who is required reading in many top MBA programs.

Narrow your focus

The more defined your market, the fewer competitors you will have and the more customers will seek you out.

I recommend: Software, reports and advice from Niche Marketing Research Center will help you select the right niche and reach it effectively. Duct Tape Marketing is a great resource for hands-on marketing ideas, including books and CD Rom instruction.

Be a big fish in a small pond

Consider advertising in specialized publications that are read by target audiences defined by demographics, lifestyle or need. It will increase the chances of your ad will be noticed by people actually in the market for what you have to offer.

I recommend: Read up on Entrepreneur.com's Creative Brainstorming Techniques, then find ways to market big ideas on any budget.

Research your audience

It's worth the investment in market research to find out what people think of your area of product or service. And if your business is already established, what do they already think of you?

I recommend: Biz360 offers a guide that will help you to monitor industry media trends for positioning your product or service within a new market.

Repetition, repetition, repetition

The most successful positioning statements are easy to understand and are repeated over and over and over.

I recommend: Stop worrying about your written materials. Clear Copy Solutions offers copywriting services to help you stand out from the crowd.