You may remember I had a bit of a rant recently about people (myself included) who use that terrible excuse of “I haven't got the time for marketing” or “I haven't got the time to learn how to do it properly”.

Well, since you're still with me I'm assuming you're one of the sensible folks who does prioritise marketing – even if it means working that bit harder for a while.

So now I'm going to give you something extra to slot into that priority time. It's pretty simple but it can get you big results.

What I want you do do is make a list of 3 people.

Not just any people. One person in each of the following criteria:

• One old contacts you did great work with but have got out of touch with
• One current contact who has the potential to become a great client or business partner for you
• One current contact who is kind of just starting out, but could get a great boost from some free help from you

Do it now. Don't wait. Just get out a pen and paper and make some notes. Should only take you a few minutes.

Now for each of the names on the list, write down something you could send them that they'd really value and find useful. I'm thinking here about articles or videos you could send a link to, maybe a book you could post to them. Or an event you could take them to.

If you don't know what it might be specifically yet, just write down the sort of thing you'd like to send them. You can search for something that fits the bill later.

Now during the next week: do that useful thing for them. Do it first thing in the morning when you get to work. One per day on any three of your working days.

Here's what you're going to learn when you do it.

Firstly, it's surprising just how many of them will really appreciate hearing from you. Especially since you'll have put a bit of thought into finding something useful to send them. This will give you a bit more confidence to contact people in the future.

Secondly, you'll be surprised at how easy it is. Just block off a few minutes of time and shoot them an email or pop something in the post. Or maybe even phone them.

Finally, you'll be pleased with the results. Out of 3 re-energised contacts during the week it's a racing certainty that at least one will do something to help you back.

See where you get to by the end of the week. If it feels like you've been able to manage it within your workload then do it again next week. And the week after.

Pretty soon you'll have become a “follow-up machine”. With results to match.