The great thing about looking ahead to a new year is that it presents 12 months of opportunity and the prospect of a fresh start.

January is the perfect time to begin creating marketing strategies and goals to set the tone for the coming year. Now is when you'll be breaking out of old unproductive habits of the past and establish new ones that will help you get where you want to be going.

Here's a list of suggested top-five marketing habits to keep in mind as you plan your business strategy for the coming year:

1.  Create a written marketing plan or improve upon the one you already have
2. Commit at least a half an hour a day to increasing your knowledge about different aspects of small business marketing
3. Establish a goal of working on marketing for an hour every day. That could consist of writing and sending out sales letters, emailing prospects, writing a blog, writing and posting an article about an interesting aspect of your business or industry, attending a networking meeting or seminar, posting an announcement on your Facebook page, etc
4. Avoid reinventing the wheel. There are sales letter templates, flyer templates, and business proposal software that can help you effectively communicate with existing and prospective clients and customers.
5. Seriously consider working with a web designer, graphic designer, and/or an experienced writer when creating your business website, ads, flyers, brochures, marketing letters, or logos. The image you project to the public directly affects your ability to attract and retain clients.