It's a good time for it, especially if cash flow's starting to get a little tight. But if you haven't been marketing for a while -- you could find yourself lapsing into some bad marketing habits.

And if you haven't been getting the results from the marketing you have done recently, maybe you' re already following some unconscious patterns that undermine your potential results.

With that in mind, here are four of the most common bad marketing habits responsible for getting businesses nowhere fast, while depleting their resources and destroying their will to adopt better, smarter, more effective marketing habits. Take a step back, look at your marketing, and ask yourself - "Have I fallen prey to any of these bad marketing habits?"

Bad Marketing Habit #1: Lenny & Squiggy Marketing

Remember the popular TV show "Laverne and Shirley," back in the ‟70s? Lenny & Squiggy were the girls' greasy, annoying, unwelcome neighbors, and they always barged in to the girls‟ living room in an utterly clueless, obnoxious fashion. Whenever you send a marketing piece out without...

1) A plan in place

2) An invitation

3) An informed idea of who you're marketing to

4) The patience to let an organic response happen on a realistic timeline

5) The understanding that even the best, most ingenious campaigns don't draw (or necessarily deserve) 100% of your Ideal Audiences' attention

...you're committing the crime of Lenny & Squiggy Marketing. Please, break this habit!

Bad Marketing Habit #2: Spray 'n Pray Marketing

Ever find yourself blasting out an email, postcard, article, press release, or advertisement willy-nilly, and just crossing your fingers and hoping someone will respond?

Then you've fallen prey to the "spraying 'n praying" habit. The antidote?

1) Know your target market.

2) Craft your message accordingly.

3) Use the "Content Catapult" that your target market uses most.

4) Pay attention to your results.

5) Design your next campaign to incorporate what you've learned, so you get even better results the next go-round.

No more "spraying 'n praying," ok?

In the world of hyperlocal searching and mega-niched networks, there's really no need. Oh yeah, it's not very smart or cost-effective, either.

Bad Marketing Habit #3: Me-Me-Me Marketing

You're a victim of the "Me-Me-Me" Marketing habit whenever you're focusing on what you want or need, instead of what your customers, clients, and/or prospects want or need.

This is probably the most common mistake people make when they're trying to market their products or services. Instead of singing your own praises, tune into your audience's favorite radio station, W-I-I-F-M. (That‟s "What‟s In It For Me?")

Pay attention to what they want to know, hear, do, and be... What's keeping them up at night? How can you solve their problems, ease their pain, or increase their pleasure? What words, pictures, tools, techniques, and media could you use to inform, educate, entertain, or inspire them? Answer those questions, and serve it up accordingly.

Bad Marketing Habit #4: Seat-of-the-Pants Marketing

The "Seat-of-the-Pants" Marketing habit starts when you skip the marketing component of your business for whatever reason, then one day wake up and realize you need more leads, clients, revenue, or all of the above. But you don't have a marketing budget, plan, or a clue as to where or how to start.

So you fly by the seat of our pants. You make hasty decisions. You say "yes!" to whatever marketing opportunity presents itself first. You hook campaigns around holidays, sales, or whims, then you sprint, flail, flounder, and eventually fall on your marketing face.

Being creative, flexible, and ready for anything is one thing. But when it comes to building your business with vision and clarity, conquer this habit quickly.

The good news is, bad habits - especially bad business and marketing habits - can be changed for the better, so they can drive more leads, land more clients, and make some serious bucks.

Good luck, and happy marketing!